Local bars see less customers, offer “mocktails” as Dry January begins

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) - As the New Year begins, folks are getting ready to lock in their resolutions for 2026. Many electing to try out Dry January, challenging themselves to go the whole month without a drink.

Local bars feel that challenge too. “If you haven’t saved up money and budgeted, January can be really hard,” said Crystal Sartin.

Sartin is a bartender at Blacksburg’s Bull & Bones and said it’s tough month for local bars as people decide to get a sober start to the New Year with Dry January.

She’s been pouring drinks for four years, and said every January things slow down.

“It does all the time in January, and February usually also,” said Sartin. “So I think that the goals go over to the next month.”

Bull & Bones is known for its house-brewed beers and lavish liquors, but Sartin said it’s just as easy to pour a drink without alcohol. She encourages people who are participating in Dry January to stop by, and try a mocktail or a virgin drink.

“We have mocktails, we have sodas, we have like appetizers for everybody. [It’s] still fun to come out and make you a pretty drink with no alcohol,” said Sartin. “It’s very easy to make them, we can make any drink that we offer as a mocktail also.”

Sartin said she’s always supportive of any customer, regular or first timer, hoping to take that sober step into the New Year.

“A lot of people use it for their New Year’s resolution and they get through January and I think that it’s actually really good for people,” she said.

Recent data suggests around 30% of Americans will be participating in Dry January, and Gallup News reports less Americans are consuming alcohol every year.