At Honey Elixir in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood, some come for the chill and comfort.
“Just a really good place to hang out and relax, kind of let the stress of the day wear off,” said Wes Jolly, a patron at the bar.
While others, find comfort in the variety.
“It allows people to have that experience of the nightlife but able to put in and do things that feel good for the body,” said Kaylee Donovan, lead server and bartender at Honey Elixir.
Potions, the bar’s unique version of mocktails, draws in customers during dry January, but they’re also popular when people just want a different kind of boost to their night.
“They taste wonderful, and just because I’m not getting the effect of alcohol in the long term, it doesn’t feel like that. It’s kind of a fun experience,” said Nick Richardson, a patron at the bar.
“It’s something new. And it’s also that really exciting moment of knowing you can drink something but also take care of your body at the same time,” said Donovan.