Chapel Hill bars reflect on Dry January, the month-long sobriety challenge

Dry January, an alcohol sobriety challenge launched in 2013 by Alcohol Change UK, has gained traction over the years. This year, Chapel Hill's bars and breweries are navigating the trend's impact. 

Dry January consists of abstaining from all forms of alcohol including beer, wine and spirits for a month. According to an article from the British Journal of General Practice, the purpose of Dry January is to encourage people to reflect on their alcohol consumption and inspire behavior change. Data in the article showed that abstaining from alcohol for a month leads to participants experiencing better sleep, more energy and saving more money.

Corey LaPrade, manager of Pantana Bob's, said he has not noticed immediate effects on sales, although there has been increased interest in nonalcoholic beverages such as nonalcoholic Corona and Athletic Brewing Co. beer. 

He also said with the college-focused demographic, participation in the campaign would affect business to some degree. Because of the popularity of the campaign, LaPrade said some people are being more careful with their alcohol consumption. 

“I think people still want to be out at night and have fun, but I think people are realizing that you don't need to consume excess alcohol to have fun, which I think is a good thing,” LaPrade said. 

Matt Putnam, owner of The Dead Mule Club, said his business has embraced the trend, which has been positive. He said its drink menu offers nonalcoholic beers, spirits and mocktails. 

“While we offer plenty of alcoholic options, in the last couple of years, we've really tried to emphasize alternatives,” he said. 

Putnam said having a younger college student community encourages nonalcoholic business, like the emergence of tea and coffee shops replacing traditional bars.

He also said Dry January reflects a broader health trend, and it's a campaign that people recognize and associate with January.

“I think it's got staying power,” Putnam said. 

Robert Poitras, owner of Carolina Brewery, said Dry January has not had a major effect on sales, although they have had more requests for nonalcoholic beers at the brewery. He said the brewery stocked a craft nonalcoholic beer in anticipation of Dry January. 

“Globally, not a huge impact, but there [are] definitely some people out there that have shifted away from drinking our beer to nonalcoholic beers for the month,” Poitras said. 

Poitras also said they distribute their beer in grocery stores, and many grocery store managers have noted a significant shift toward nonalcoholic beers — this has led to a sales increase for nonalcoholic options but has indirectly hurt their beer sales in grocery stores. 

While restaurant sales remain steady, he said many Dry January participants appear to be staying home, although interest in nonalcoholic options at Carolina Brewery locations is growing. 

He also said businesses should stock good nonalcoholic offerings from beers to mocktails. 

“I think it's more of a health and generational trend that is probably going to be around for a while,” Poitras said. 

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