January 12, 2022 - Dry January drinks, Kickers Pro Combine + Everyday postponed

Hello Saturday.

January 22 2022

We’re almost halfway through the first month of the year, which means many people have made it halfway through Dry January — the official title for those who chose to go alcohol-free to start their 2022.

Taking a break from the booze can be difficult, but can also be an opportunity to find some mocktail + non-alcoholic substitutes you may end up sipping year-round.

The Chance mocktail is garnished with a star anise. | Photo via @tazzakitchen

Breweries & Bars

Hardywood Park Craft Brewery’s drink menu also includes Virginia-brewed Blue Ridge Bucha and Snowing in Space Coffee outside its beer list.

Cirrus Vodka offers club soda and Q Ginger Beer on its menu of locally distilled vodka + cocktails.

Three Notch’d Brewing Company was recently featured in the Washington Post for its development of a Non-Alcoholic IPA. Pro tip: IPA stands for India Pale Ale, which comes in 10 varieties.

Restaurants

Perch has the usual non-alcoholic options of water, juices, soda and lemonade, but also has a Tropical Ginger Beer with 7 spice, lemon and lime. It also sells a mocktail called Season’s Past, which has honey, pineapple and lime.

Tazza Kitchen has a specialty mocktail called Chance with hints of gingerbread, coconut, lemon-lime + sparkling water.

The Daily Kitchen & Bar has a whole mocktail menu with fruity + refreshing flavors like Strawberry Limeade.

Grisette’s bartending crew can make mock versions of all its cocktails, according to some Richmond Redditors.

Three Notch’d introduced the Non-Alcoholic IPA in early 2021. | Photo via @threenotchdrva

Try this

Rocket Fizz sells sweet, savory + downright weird sodas to take home. Are you brave enough to try Ranch soda?

The Pit and The Peel (all four locations) has a smoothie and acai bowl menu, along with a soda fountain featuring seasonal cane sugar flavors.

We know these locales wouldn’t be successful without their crew. Do you have a favorite bartender known for marvelous mocktails + cocktails?

Use the question box below to share your story, and we may give them a special shoutout for their work in tingling taste buds.

QUESTION

Who’s your favorite bartender who makes the best mocktails + cocktails?

Shake it, stir it + share those sips.

SHOUT THEM OUT

EVENTS

Today

Kick Off Happy Hour for the Special Olympics | Wed., Jan. 12 | 4 p.m. | Starr Hill Beer Hall & Rooftop, 3406 W. Leigh St. | Cost of purchase | $1 of every pint purchase goes towards the Virginia Special Olympics.

Thursday

Night of Healing | Thurs., Jan. 13 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Ericka J. Fitness Studio, 5209 S. Laburnum Ave. | $22+ | Bring a yoga mat + socks for this meditative evening.
Bonsai Workshop | Thurs., Jan. 13 | 6:30 p.m. | PlantHouse, 2100 W. Cary St. #101 | $38

Friday

Hyper Tropic Release | Fri., Jan. 14 | 2-10 p.m. | Hardywood Park Craft Brewery West Creek, 820 Sanctuary Dr. | Cost of purchase | Hooray for Hardywood’s latest IPA. 🍻
Wine and Dine: Spain | Fri., Jan. 14 | 6:30 p.m. | Publix Aprons Cooking School, 5400 Wyndham Forest Dr. | $65+ | Chickpea stew, shrimp croquettes, skirt steak + crema catalana

Saturday

The Connells | Sat., Jan. 15 | 8 p.m. | The National | $23+ | Rock out with The Connells and Jphono1 at this concert. 🎵
NAMA Drag Brunch | Sat., Jan. 15 | 11 a.m- 2 p.m. | NAMA, 15 W. Broad St. | $25+ | Single admission + tables for two are still available.

Sunday

Pat O’Brien | Sun., Jan. 16 | 3 p.m. | Main Line Brewery, 1603 Ownby Ln. | Free | Get all your favorite genres of music from this local performer.

Monday

Rallying Towards the Future: Living Dr. King’s Dream | Mon., Jan. 17 | 9-11 a.m. | The Overlook at ChildSavers, 200 N. 22nd St. | Free, RSVP | Register to join the Church Hill community in honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.

Tuesday

Common Ground Virginia History Book Group | Tues., Jan. 18 | 6 – 7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free, RSVP | Read and discuss “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. 📚

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

TRY SOMETHING NEW

Note: COVID-19 protocols are changing rapidly to curb the spread of the Omicron variant in Richmond. Please make sure to check event listing pages + venue websites for the most up-to-date information.

NEWS NOTES

Weather

50º | Mostly sunny | 0% chance of rain

Open

Attention mead lovers: Funktastic Meads winery is now open for business. You can find the place at 1212 Alverser Plaza in Midlothian. It will be open Thursdays through Sundays. 🍺

Civic

The Richmond Fire Department is rebuilding Fire Station 12. The new building will include two equipment bays, sleeping quarters, restrooms, and community rooms. It will still be located at 2223 W. Cary St. 🚒 (ABC 8 News)

Biz

Richmond business owners Carlos Alvarez and Cruz Albanil have switched storefronts. Alvarez took over Jalapeno’s Mexican Grill in Carytown. Albanil then moved his newest location of his restaurant El Chido into that spot. Richmond BizSense looks into how these business owners have been involved in the Mexican food + club scene.

Theater

Virginia Repertory Theater is postponing its show “Everyday” due to the spread of the Omicron variant in VA. The show has been rescheduled to premiere June 2 on the Theatre Gym stage. Current ticket holders will be contacted about reservations by email.

Sports

VCU Women’s Basketball (7-5) is back at the Siegel Center tonight, facing off against the University of Massachusetts (12-2). Adult tickets are $7, kids are $3, and tipoff is at 6 p.m. 🏀
Registration is now open for the January 2022 Richmond Kickers Pro Combine. College students, qualified free agents + amateur players can try out for a professional contract from Jan. 21-23 at Ukrop Park (5300 Ridgedale Pkwy). Registration costs $150 now, but goes up to $200 on Friday. ⚽️

Cause

Thank you for being a friend. River City Roll is partnering with the Richmond Animal Care & Control Shelter to honor the late actress Betty White. For every sale of Pontiac and St. Olaf cocktails, $2 will be donated to RACC. You can start sipping from Jan. 18-23. 🍸

Holiday

The Children’s Museum of Richmond is hosting Lunar New Year celebrations at its Downtown and Chesterfield locations Sat., Jan. 29. There will be performances highlighting Chinese culture from 11 a.m. to noon in the city + 3-4 p.m. in Chesterfield. 🧧

Health

Ever wonder what causes urinary incontinence, painful intercourse, and other pelvic floor issues — and when you should see a doctor? Dr. Ramzi Aboujaoude of the Urogynecology Center at Virginia Physicians for Women answers these FAQs + more in “What Exactly is a Urogynecologist?”*

*This paid content, brought to you by our advertising partners, helps make this newsletter free.

#RICTODAY

The signs on the bus go…

📸 @GRTCTransit

GRTC just announced that 15 new buses designed by GILLIG have been added to its fleet, and they have some special features.

The new buses are fitted with electric signs on the back so riders can more easily see the route number. GRTC will use the new rides on all routes.

Bonus: GRTC is updating the Downtown Transfer Plaza with new bay locations on 8th, 9th + Clay Streets. These changes are expected to start next month. 🚌

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Just use #RICtoday on social media.

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THE WRAP

Editor’s Pick: Did you know Virginia’s state spirit is George Washington Rye Whiskey? Meanwhile, milk was recognized as the Commonwealth’s official drink in 1982.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Meet Richmond’s youngest sister, Ségou, Mali.