From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, nearly every event involves celebrating with alcohol.
So when January hits, it’s not uncommon to be burnt out on pricy drinks that may leave you feeling a bit off the next day.
Dry January has grown in popularity over the years as a way to cleanse and give your body a break after a booze-filled season. These local bars have options for those partaking in Dry January so there’s no excuse to cancel on friends.
Second Story
Second Story is situated on the second story (go figure) of an old firehouse.
As soon as guests walk up the steps, the first thing they’ll see is an enormous faux tree behind the bar holding bottles and bottles of liquor.
Due to the popularity of this bar and the unique craft of each drink, drinks take a little longer to create, so budget some extra time. Each beverage is specially created and it’s fun to watch the bartenders work.
Second Story’s menu consists of mostly cocktails and mocktails, along with some bar basics in cans.
Mocktails this season include the Black Forest, with black currant syrup, molasses, lime and soda. You can also try Clear Conscience, which has a gin substitute, lemon simple syrup and soda water. You can also choose from two nonalcoholic beers, so whatever your drink of choice is you can opt for a virgin version.
Second Story is a laid-back bohemian escape ideal for relaxing evenings.
Juniper’s Gin and Tapas
For classy craft beverages with an atmosphere that Ernest Hemingway would envy, head to Juniper’s in Covington in the MainStrasse district.
The bar’s decor and atmosphere match more of a speakeasy, quiet lounge vibe to simply enjoy a few drinks after work, as opposed to many mainstays in the area with loud club music and dancing.
Juniper’s atmosphere certainly sets them apart from traditional bars, but their drink selection does as well. The majority of their drinks are gin based cocktails, from the traditional gin and tonic to gimlets – and they even have nonalcoholic gin, which guests can substitute into any cocktail.
The Post Taps and Bottle Shop
The Post in Fort Thomas is a family friendly space where guests can still indulge in a variety of beverages – both of the alcoholic and nonalcoholic variety.
The Post sources beers from all over the country, ensuring guests have options that match their taste: Sours, IPA’s, lagers and nonalcoholic beer are just some of the tasty options they offer.
Breweries are often one of the hardest places to come by non alcoholic drinks, and decent nonalcoholic beers are even more difficult to come by. The Post rotates their beers and beverages, but always has nonalcoholic beer options, giving guests the flavors they want without the alcohol.
The space showcases the historic dairy barn in which it sits, but is updated with modern rustic touches with a variety of seating. On one end, you can opt for velvet chairs with a chandelier for a lounge atmosphere, or you can go with a space decorated with mechanical parts with tables and chairs for larger groups.
There’s even a designated kids area, ensuring no one in the family was forgotten in this design.
Blind Squirrel
Although this restaurant is reminiscent of pretty much any American bar and restaurant, there are some unique qualities about this place that make it a favorite in the Florence area.
Their tap beer and bourbon selection is what many know them for, but there’s also a large mocktail menu for guests who want a fun drink without the hangover.
Blind Squirrel offers nine mocktails, and their sparkling cran-ginger mocktail makes for a marvelous drink to keep the holiday spirit alive in the New Year. Or opt for The Bloody Shame, their alcohol-free bloody mary (when you take out the alcohol it’s healthy, right?).
What to know if you go
Second Story
Location: 100 W 6th Street Street, Covington, KY, 41011
Hours: Monday closed, Tuesday through Thursday 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., Friday 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., Saturday 3:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., Sunday 3:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Website: secondstory.bar
Phone: (859) 669-2270
Junipers
Location: 409 W 6th Street, Covington
Hours: Monday closed, Tuesday-Thursday 5-11 p.m., Friday-Saturday 4 p.m.-12 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Website: junipersginbar.net
Phone: 859-291-4466
The Post- Taps and Bottle Shop
Location: 1136 South Fort Thomas Ave, Fort Thomas, KY 41075
Hours: Monday closed, Tuesday through Thursday 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Website: thepostft.com
Phone: (513) 546-0197
Blind Squirrel
Location: 8537 US 42, Florence
Hours: Monday 4-10 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m.- 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.- 12 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Website: blindsquirrelflorence.com
Phone: 859-869-9886