Going Dry This July: Australia’s First Non-Alcoholic Bar Opens

We might not be in Australia ourselves, but we are hearing more about Dry July and we are wondering if it might become an event in the UK next year (it totally should - who’s with me?)  

For those who haven’t seen #DryJuly or the videos surrounding it as we move into the month, Dry July is Australia’s equivalent to the UK’s Dry January. Sobriety for a month while raising money for people affected by Cancer. 

Dry July is a fantastic way to re-evaluate your relationship with alcohol. Perhaps keep a diary for the month noting any positive or negative changes you may feel so you can look back over the month and really evaluate.

According to the Dry July Foundation, 67% of Aussies are sober-curious. Dry July provides a perfect opportunity to dedicate time to explore this curiosity to understand the role alcohol plays in our lives. 

Not only can we form a better understanding about our consumption and the effects alcohol has on our mind and body, but Dry July also provides some time to explore something a little different. Alcohol-free drinks that don’t compromise on quality or taste - with hundreds of alcohol-free alternatives available how exciting it is to be able to make our way through these incredible brands and discover what we like best, what pair nicest together and what will stay as a staple on our drinks trolley’s.

Australia also welcomes its first non-alcoholic cocktail lounge and bottle shop in Brunswick East, Melbourne, which feels like a pivotal moment. The new venue serves a menu of over 100 non-alcoholic beers, wines and cocktails curated by the team behind Australia’s first zero alcohol spirit, Brunswick Aces.

While customers sip on the cocktails or beers on offer while sinking into the plush soft furnishings, they can catch a glimpse of Brunswick Aces distillery behind the bar. 

The menu will continue to grow and rotate, in line with the way the alcohol-free market is moving. This will make sure customers will have access to the ever-growing non-alcoholic products available. 

CEO and Co-founder, Stephen Lawrence said “When we initially announced the new bar back in February, we expected some positive feedback from locals, but we’ve been inundated with messages from far and wide. Moderate and sober drinkers from Perth to Sydney and even the U.S and U.K, have contacted us not only keen to visit, but also asking us to open venues in their home cities.

We’re aiming to be the hub of non-alcoholic, not only in Melbourne, but Australia. There is no other space like it in the country where you can come and sample such a large range of what the market has to offer in one place”

Although you might not be able to visit the bar (unless you head over to Melbourne which we are seriously considering at this moment), we do have some good news for you! 

Brunswick Aces will be available to purchase in the UK very soon so you can re-create your own Brunswick Bar experience at home.

Brunswick Aces is the World’s first Sapiir which is 100% distilled, low sugar, 0% abv. and Halal certified. The earliest forms of Sapiir-like formulations date back to the middle ages where vapour distillation techniques were used to extract delicate aromatics from freshly harvested botanical ingredient. This technique was adopted as a way of preserving them for use in flavouring meals and drinks throughout the year. 

Several different methods have been developed to produce Sapiir, all of which conform to having four key requirements to be considered a genuine Sapiir. 

On that note, we are wishing you all a very curious, taste filled and insightful Dry July.

In the meantime, don’t forget to subscribe to receive your own alcohol-free filled box and join the JOMO family - we will do all the work for you and help you find what you like best.