Tag: Dry January

Dry January gains popularity with each pour as more Americans embrace mocktails, zero-proof options

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BOULDER, Colo. — The New Year brings new resolutions, and for many Americans, that starts on day one with what they drink.

The booze-free month known as Dry January is more popular than ever, with bars catering to customers through mocktail menus and zero-proof options for the sober-curious crowd.

Dry January gains popularity with each pour as more Americans go alcohol-free

“With the mocktails on the menu, I think that that’s kind of a sign of the times,” said Boulder resident Jenny Robins. “I’ve heard that some of the younger generations just aren’t really big into drinking, so it might just be the new normal.”

Robins is right. Studies show Dry January has only increased in popularity since the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with Gen-Zers — those born between 1997 and 2012.

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In 2023, 16% of Americans successfully completed the month-long challenge. In 2024, that percentage reached a quarter of Americans avoiding alcohol completely for Dry January, according to AlcoholHelp.com.

“I do know people that have struggled with it, maybe gotten 14 days in and then decided that that’s enough for their Dry January,” Robins said. “But I know there are people that have started it and gone more than one year.”

That’s Duke Rumely’s mission — to celebrate sobriety not just in January, but year-round.

His nonprofit, Sober AF Entertainment, brings the community together for alcohol-free events.

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Duke Rumely, founder of Sober AF Entertainment speaking with Denver7’s Claire Lavezzorio

Rumely explained he’s noticed a shift in community acceptance since starting his nonprofit in 2018.

“There’s definitely been a change in the tone of the community when we’re there,” he said. “You know, it was not nearly as accepting as it is now.”

Whether it’s to stop a habit or just start the New Year on a healthier foot, many told Denver7 they hope the trend stays popular with every pour.

“I have kids, so, you know, kind of hoping that they stick to the sober-side of things as they grow up,” Robins said.

Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Claire Lavezzorio

Denver7’s Claire Lavezzorio covers topics that have an impact across Colorado, but specializes in reporting on stories in the military and veteran communities. If you’d like to get in touch with Claire, fill out the form below to send her an email.

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Claire Lavezzorio

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January 1, 2026
Dallas Bars Feel the Chill of Winter, So Save a Bar and Go Have a Drink

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January and February are hard times for the restaurant and bar industry. Loose spending and overindulgence during the holidays have many tapping the brakes after New Year’s Day. Add Dry January and bad weather to the mix, and bars often struggle during the first part of the year — quite a bit as it turns out.

From December 2022 to January 2023, restaurants and bars in Dallas saw a sharp decrease in liquor sales, according to data from the Texas Comptroller (data from December 2023 on isn’t available at the time of writing). Sales dropped from $106.8 million in December 2022 to $95.7 million in January 2023, a loss of more than $11 million or 10% in one month.

In February 2023, sales stayed depressed, at $92 million. Although just 28 days, the month includes Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day, traditionally good days for restaurants and bars.

That data set includes 1,344 restaurants and bars in the city of Dallas that sell booze. We’re going out on a limb in assigning figures to bars because there are wild variations from, say, Nick and Sam’s to Lakewood Landing, but that’s an average drop of around $8,200 in one month per bar from December 2022 to January 2023.

March is when the good times spring back. Last March, Dallas restaurants and bars pulled in $108 million.

Despite these fluctuations, there are bills to pay for both the bar owners and service industry employees during the dark, cold days of January and February.

Allen Falkner has an ownership stake in The Nines and Charlie’s Star Lounge in Deep Ellum. He gets calls this time of year, and others walk into the bar, looking for work because things have seemingly dried up at their current job.

His advice? Sit tight.

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Allen Falkner of The Nines knows winter and Dry January shall too pass.

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“The last couple of days, I’ve got emails,” Falkner says. “Last night somebody came in looking for work, and today somebody came in looking for work.”

He focuses on keeping a happy staff together, making sure the personality mix is right. He knows it’s a temporary dip.

“For me, it’s more valuable to keep staff than trying to find staff because, honestly, right now there’s people looking for work everywhere,” Falkner says. “So you can always find somebody, but really it’s more about longevity. So it’s not like there are people out there looking for work. But again, I’m not really interested in filling the place with just people.”

Inflation is another cog in the wheel. Joel Roland, who owns Yellow Rosa Cantina in Deep Ellum, says that despite seeing record sales in December, high costs have cut into profits. Combined with Dry January, it’s a double whammy.

“Just everything’s more expensive, and so I think people just spend a lot on Christmas and then they have to recover,” Roland says. “And I think that Dry January is a good excuse for not spending money.”

During this time of year, he tries to incentivize employees with bonuses and is going all in on Valentine’s Day.

Even updating menus with mocktails, which the Observer has covered extensively, doesn’t seem to be able to lure people in. But the idea is to get people out to restaurants and bars, even if it’s not the same experience they may have on a patio on a sunny March afternoon.

Michelle Honea is the co-owner of The Grapevine Bar, which originally opened on Maple Avenue the same year Clinton beat Dole for a second term. The highly regarded establishment recently moved from small-ish confines to a spacious new building on Butler Street.

Honea says the bar has long been affected by bad weather; the courtyard at the old space was bigger than the interior, and heaters and fans couldn’t keep up with the temperature extremes.

“Our business has always been seasonal. so we’re used to it, and our staff know that winter is going to be slow if the weather is very cold or rainy or snowy,” Honea says.

With the new space, they’re experimenting with shift schedules, spreading hours out evenly.

“We don’t just schedule blindly. We pay attention because everyone has bills to pay and our staff are the heart and soul of our business,” she says. In her experience, weather is much more of an issue than Dry January.

On a recent popular Facebook post, Falkner offered that the grass isn’t greener anywhere else, so buckle down and find other projects that need to be handled. He also advises that a little shameless self-promotion might help, “Trust me, people want to come see you. Remind them.”

Oh, yeah, let’s go have a drink. For the city.

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Lauren Drewes Daniels

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January 30, 2024
Damp January, Dry January or California Sober

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New Year, new you, extra weight, exhaustion from the holidays – all reasons to maybe make a temporary change in January – but what is right for you?

The holiday season is fun and full of indulgences, but it can leave you feeling a little wrecked in at the start of a fresh new year. January is the time of year when you make a fresh start and set goals to improve yourself. Get fit, lose weight, do more, focus – all great goals, but only 9% of people follow through on their new year resolutions. As people share their intentions, about 15% of people start Dry January, but it is the right or the practical solution? Trying to figure out Damp January, Dry January or California Sober depends on your goals.

RELATED: Data Reveals Why Cannabis Users Tend To Be Thinner

Ask what are you trying to accomplish? Giving your liver a break, taking a general tolerance vacation from intoxicants? Perhaps you want to shed the extra holiday weight. The average weight gain during this time period is anywhere from 0.8 pounds to just under 2 pounds. Or maybe you just want to clear your head. Here is a guideline to help you make a decision.

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Damp January

Damp January is an initiative where people choose to reduce their alcohol and/or marijuana consumption during the month of January. It allows a more flexible approach, focusing on reducing intake rather than complete abstinence. Considering there is a 3 day weekend in the middle of the month, it can make keeping the goal a bit easier.

if you’re following Damp January, it means that you should be drinking in moderation, with a more mindful approach. Weight loss is a bit harder and you have should plan your consumption and set limits on amounts.

California Sober

California Sober is an initiative where people stop drinking and drugs other than marijuana. And they partake of marijuana in moderation. This is a more flexible approach and many people use vapes and gummies instead of alcohol at social events. Done correctly, this also can used to assist in weight loss.

RELATED: People Who Use Weed Also Do More Of Another Fun Thing

Dry January

Dry January is the OG of all three and it means stopping everything cold for 31 days. This is the least flexible approach, although slipping once or twice doesn’t mean you should give up. This is the best program for weight loss and giving your body a break. This is a tolerance break for both alcohol and marijuana users who have a high frequency of use.

Damp January, Dry January or California Sober can all help you mind and body.

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Sarah Johns

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January 9, 2024
The Answers To Your Questions About Marijuana

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From 15-19% of the population does Dry January. After the excess of the holidays with food, drink, celebrations and family….your body might need a break. But do you want Dry January of California sober. What is it? Well, it is taking a break from alcohol and drugs except for cannabis. And there are some sound reasons as marijuana is less hard on the body and offers up some medical benefits. But if you are new to cannabis, you might be worried, concerned or need more information. Here are the answers to your questions about marijuana.

Is it addictive?

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While not all that common, there are people who are heavily affected by marijuana use. The condition, known as cannabis abuse disorder (CID), affects about 30% of users, impairing their lives in one way or another. People who suffer from the condition often have the drug affecting their work and relationships, feel anxious when not consuming it, have cravings, and more. The populations that are at higher risk of developing this condition are teens and young users.

Can you overdose on it?

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RELATED: Can You Smoke Weed And Be Successful At The Same Time?

Marijuana overdoses are pretty chill in the grand scheme of things. Still, some awkward and uncomfortable things can happen, so it’s important to pace yourself no matter the method of consumption. Symptoms of a marijuana overdose include dry mouth, sleepiness, paranoia, a fast heart rate, and even vomiting.

Which method is best?

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Marijuana has come a long way. Long gone are the times of the crappy joint filled with brown weed, making it the perfect time to jump in. While the variety of methods can be overwhelming, it’s simple once you parse it all out. There’s cannabis flower, edibles, and vapes, with each of these having its own perks and pitfalls. In terms of health, vaping and smoking affects your lungs, so an edible might be a good starting place. Just know that edibles take a while to kick in and that you should start off slow.

Can I use it to treat anxiety?

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RELATED: 5 Great Concentrates For Beginners

Historically, cannabis is praised for its anxiety-relieving properties and acting as a facilitator for social situations. While this is true, it’s also not the whole truth. Cannabis is fussy, acting differently depending on the cannabis you’re consuming, the person consuming it, and their level of experience. It’s also important to know what type of anxiety is being treated. If it’s a medical issue, it’s important to talk it out with your doctor.

Can I use it for sleep?

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RELATED: Debunking 4 Common Myths About Edibles

Cannabis can make people very sleepy, but this isn’t the case for everyone and it depends on the type of cannabis you’re consuming. While some strains can make you feel relaxed and sleepy, others can make you feel wired (indica for the former, sativa for the latter). The best advice for using cannabis as a sleep aid is to start off slow, keeping track of your behaviors and patterns.

What is the difference between CBD and THC?

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THC and CBD are cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. The main difference between the two is the fact that THC is psychoactive (producing that “high” feeling), while CBD is not. When smoking a CBD joint you may feel relaxed and loose, yet you won’t get high. CBD is mostly medicinal and it’s also very trendy, appearing in a wide variety of products ranging from hair products to skincare.

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Maria Loreto

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January 4, 2024
How To Choose The Right Cannabis Strain
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Recently legal Michigan is going gangbusters in sales, more and more people are using marijuana it becomes legal in more places. The stigma is dying and people are turning to it for to chill, for medical reasons and to relax. And more Gen Z people are turning away from alcohol and using slightly more weed. Today, the most popular form of consuming are gummies, but the traditional way of flower and now vapes are still used by a significant number. There are literally hundreds of different kinds of strains available in dispensaries. So how do you choose the right one for you?
The good news is there is also lots more information to help you choose the best strain. In the past, one would simply go with THC levels, or sativa vs. indica. Those are still important, but there is a smarter way to shop for cannabis flower strains today.

THC and CBD Content

More people are choosing high CBD strains for many reasons: it minimizes the anxiety which occurs with some when consuming high THC strains, CBD can help relax, and isn’t psychoactive. Given THC and CBD are the two active and dominant chemicals in the cannabis plant, they will both have different effects which is why it’s important to understand how each will affect you.

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Generally speaking, you can go by with a few simple rules to remember: the higher the THC content (over 18%), the more psychoactive effects you will feel. On the other hand, the higher the CBD content, the more relaxed and calm you will feel. Many indica strains have a higher CBD content since it’s suitable for helping you to relax. Some consumers prefer a balanced effect and seek out strains with identical or nearly identical THC and CBD ratios.

RELATED: The Best CBD To THC Ratio To Look For In Your Cannabis Products

Some cannabis growers provide third-party laboratory tests or a Certificate of Analysis (COA) to verify the cannabinoid content in cannabis plants.

Terpene Profiles

Terpenes are natural compounds found in plants, not just marijuana. They are responsible for the strain’s unique aroma and flavors; these compounds are what can help differentiate strains through taste or smell.

Aside from taste and smell, terpenes also contribute to the strain’s effects. Because of the entourage effect, terpenes also work with other cannabinoids that are present in the marijuana plant to produce certain effects. There are over several hundred known terpenes in marijuana though more may be discovered by researchers over time.

RELATED: Don’t Shop By THC Levels: Here Are The Top 3 Cannabis Strains Based On Terpenes

There are many ways to determine which terpenes are present in cannabis flowers. When shopping at a licensed dispensary, many recognized cultivators and laboratories provide a Certificate of Analysis or information on the terpene profile of the plant. Some of the most common terpenes found in marijuana flowers include limonene, caryophyllene, pinene, linalool, nerol, myrcene, terpineols, humulene, and many more.

Another way to gauge the dominant terpenes in cannabis flower is to smell it. Some strains smell skunky, woody, sweet, fruity, or even citrusy. It’s best to research each of the varying terpenes that are found in strains to have an idea of how they can affect you.

Purpose

Are you trying to medicate for a certain condition, or do you want to unwind after a day of work? Are you looking to socialize with friends or do you merely want a strain to help you sleep peacefully at night?

Some types of cannabis flower go well with specific scenarios. For example, sativa and hybrid strains are excellent for socializing, while indicas and high CBD strains will help you relax and fall asleep faster. If you already have experience with paranoia or anxiety with high THC strains, you’re better off with strains that are around 10% THC to ensure a pleasant experience.

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On the other hand, there are also those that smoke flower with the sole intention of getting really high. In this case, opt for high THC and low to no CBD strains. There are literally at least a few strains for everyone, but being clear and specific about what you want out of the strain will help you efficiently narrow down your choices.

Lab Testing

More cannabis strains are being sold in dispensaries with third-party laboratory testing. For those who are new to the world of marijuana, relying on laboratory testing is the most efficient way to understand the effects and cannabinoid content of any strain you are interested in buying.

Buying cannabis strains that have undergone lab testing will also help in terms of your own overall health and safety. This is especially crucial for medical cannabis patients because laboratory tests tell you if the strain contains any harmful contaminants such as fungicides, pesticides, and other harmful chemicals which can worsen existing health problems.

Other important details you can get from a laboratory test includes:
- Brand (who grew the cannabis)
- Type of cannabis (sativa, indica, or hybrid)
- Cannabinoid content
- Harvest date, batch name
- State law compliance
Price

Don’t underestimate the value of a cannabis strain just because it’s priced lower than others. In fact, buying while it’s on sale is a good opportunity to experiment with a new strain while saving a few dollars.

In the same breath, just because a strain is rare or expensive doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s of better quality. It’s more important to choose weed strains based on its effects, aromas, and flavors that you enjoy.
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Terry Hacienda

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January 2, 2024
Has Dry January Really Lifted Non-Alcoholic Beverage Makers’ Spirits?

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Dry January is just about wrapped, but for the non-alcoholic-beverage industry, returns have been anything but sobering. In recent years, a bumper crop of near-beer manufacturers, booze-agnostic distilleries and boutique-seltzer brands — among other similar upstarts — has reaped the rewards of folks generally looking to dry out or augment their consumption. And as we get deeper into this pandemic, there’s even more of a clamoring for cleaner alternatives that still approach the sensation of an intoxicating pint or snifter.

Courtesy of BrewDog

Entrepreneur spoke with representatives from four companies who went into 2021 with a vested interest in appealing to both passingly sober-curious and resolutely reformed consumers about marketing around Dry January with an eye on long-term customer retention. The bottom line? Their glasses are definitely more than half-full.

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Kenny Herzog

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January 3, 2023