Posted on Wednesday 08 January 2020

The Ultimate Big Drop Trail for Dry January

January 2020 is here. A double-whammy: a new year and a new decade. A sigh of relief or a bitter Christmas comedown. However you feel about it, January is a time to unwind and set some goals for the year ahead.

Every year, thousands give up alcohol en masse for Dry January. With New Year’s resolutions at the front of many minds, people decide that they want to drink less for health reasons, for future commitments or to stop drinking altogether.

But Dry January shouldn’t mean restriction or boredom. It’s an opportunity for drinkers (and non-drinkers) to continue doing things that they enjoy – just without the booze.

So, while some people completely avoid their trusty pub circuit, we have created a guide for the rest of us on how to enjoy January, Big Drop style.

Because alcohol-free beer shouldn’t be the second-best option. At Big Drop we’re committed to producing world-class beer with big flavour. It just so happens that it’s alcohol-free: naturally brewed to no more than 0.5% ABV.

Whatever you’re looking for from your January (and beyond), life is all about the balance and Big Drop is here to give a helping hand.

So, here it is: the ultimate Big Drop trail from London and beyond.

Enjoy a Big Drop on your lunch break

London

Tramshed, Shoreditch

The Tramshed, Shoreditch
Tramshed, a former East End tram-generator building in the heart of Shoreditch, boasts the renowned Cock ‘n’ Bull installation by Damien Hirst. The menu gives centre-stage to Swainson House chicken and Peter Hannan’s beef, carved at the table and designed for guests to share.

Bluebird Cafe: Kings Road, White City

The Tearoom: St Pauls Cathedral

Bonfire, Barbican

Percy & Founder, Fitzrovia

… And beyond

The Pump Room, Bath

Interior shot of the Pump Room, Bath
The Pump Room Restaurant is located in the same building as the famous Roman Baths and serves coffee, lunch and afternoon tea in magnificent surroundings, accompanied by live music from the Pump Room Trio or resident pianist. The Pump Room has been regarded as the social heart of Bath for more than two centuries.

The Onslow Arms, Clandon

The Red Lion, Horsell

Brickhouse Social, Manchester

Silk Road, Liverpool

Where to get a Big Drop over Dinner

London

Helix, 30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin)

The Helix Bar - The Gherkin - Tables and a view from the window over London
360-degree city views in restaurant, bar and private dining rooms on top three floors of the iconic tower.

100 Wardour Street, Soho

Angler, Moorgate

Radici, Angel

… And beyond

The Fat Duck, Bray, Berkshire

The Fat Duck - Bray
Heston Blumenthal’s renowned temple to innovative Modern British cuisine, with a fixed-price menu.

The Bird in Hand, Mayford

20 Stories, Manchester

East 59th, Leeds

Big Drop for your after-work drinks

London

Singer Tavern, Shoreditch

Hip, airy bar with wood-panel and tile interior, serving draught and bottled beers and grill menu. Big Drop Citra IPA available on draft!

Lighterman, King’s Cross

Caravan: Bankside, Fitzrovia, King’s Cross, Exmouth Market

Three Johns, Angel

Pembury Tavern, Hackney

Beer & Burger: Dalston, Willesden, King’s Cross

… And beyond

Jimmy’s, Liverpool

Situated at the top of Bold Street opposite the Bombed Out Church, Jimmy’s will be a 3-floor venue, housing a 250 capacity live room, ground floor bar and stunning first-floor restaurant

Sit & Sip, Chichester and Wokingham

The Adelphi, Leeds.

The Shipping Forecast, Liverpool

Whiskey Jar, Manchester

Three Piggies, Liverpool

Cambrian Tap, Cardiff

Pick up some Big Drop on the way home

London

Mother Kelly’s: Bethnal Green, Vauxhall, Stratford, Hackney, Stoke Newington

Mother Kelly's
Independent London based beer merchants. The Mother Kelly’s group includes taprooms in Bethnal Green & Vauxhall, & bottle shops in Homerton & Stoke Newington

Clapton Craft: Clapton, Walthamstow, Kentish Town, Finsbury Park, Forest Hill

Bottle Apostle: Victoria Park Village, Crouch End, Clapham, Primrose Hill

Beerhawk: Smithfields, Southbank

Seven Seasons Beer:  Hoxton

Kill the Cat: Brick Lane

… And beyond

Batch Bottlestore, Manchester

Batch Bottlestore specialises in all things beer with 6 keg lines, 1 cask beer with growlers soon to be available, a re-sealable takeaway keg beer flagon. It is open from 12-9 Sunday to Thursday and 12-12 Friday and Saturday.

Beerhawk: Leeds

Cowdray Park Farm Shop and Café, Cowdray

Ancoats General Store, Manchester

Where to get a Big Drop for your weekend plans

London

Hoxton Hotel: Hoxton, Holborn, Southwark

Hoxton Shoreditch: East London’s original design hotel, The Hoxton boasts comfortable rooms, all-day dining and private venue hire, right in the heart of Shoreditch.

Madison, the City

Laki Kane, Islington

Homeboy Bar, Islington

Liquorette, Fitzrovia

Temper: City, Soho, Covent Garden

Old Bengal Bar, Liverpool Street

St Pancras Brasserie

14 Hill, the City

The Bedford, Balham

… And beyond

Church – Temple of Fun, Sheffield

Interior shot of Church - Temple of Fun - Sheffield
Housed in the listed Osborn Works in Sheffield’s Kelham Island, Church is the new venture from Bring Me The Horizon frontman, Oliver Sykes. Osborn Works is the only industrial building designed by famed Victorian architect William John Hale, who was responsible for some of the areas more iconic churches.

The Bristol Flyer, Bristol

The Winterton Arms, Chiddingfold

All Bar Ones across the UK

Pig Hotel: Hampshire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon, Kent, Cornwall

The Stable: Bath, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bridport, Bristol, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Exeter, Falmouth, Cornwall, Plymouth, Poole, Southampton, Weymouth, Winchester

Chance & Counters: Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham

Sunday socials: A roast and a Big Drop

London

The Roebuck, Bermondsey

The Roebuck could well be one of Borough’s best-kept secrets. Independently owned and loved by the locals, The Roebuck offers a broad selection of beers and ales from around the world, a freshly prepared menu full of locally sourced produce, an easy-going atmosphere and a friendly welcome as standard.

The Red Lion, Westminster

Masons Arms, Battersea

Tap Tavern, Richmond

… And beyond

Pig Hotels: Hampshire, Somerset, Dorset, Devon, Kent, Cornwall

Thanks to The Pig at Combe’s location being eight miles from the coast the menu consists of fresh fish as well as the very best Devonshire cheese and locally reared meat from butchers around the market town of Honiton.

The Woodstock Arms, Manchester

The Grantley Arms, Wonersh

Cottonopolis, Manchester

Papillon, Liverpool

Something a little different

London & Around the UK

Whistle Punks: London, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester

Axe throwing with Whistle Punks
Urban Axe Throwing is the most satisfying day or night out you’ll ever have. You’ll be slinging axes, hitting bullseyes and cheering on mates.

Level 9 Restaurant, Tate Modern

Roast, Borough Market

Door-dropped Big Drop. Order online!

Not drinking alcohol can come with a huge amount of pressure for some but don’t forget, it also comes with health and money-saving benefits. And fewer headaches! Abstaining or cutting down doesn’t have to be a chore. Give it a try, you may just surprise yourself.