Dry January 2025

Whether your 2025 motto is “New Year, New Me,” you’re looking for a monthly refresh, or are simply interested in attending more alcohol-free activities this year, downtown New Haven is the perfect destination to support your New years’ resolutions. From attending museums to going shopping, there are many ways to stay “dry” in New Haven this January.

Make the new year one of abundance and stroll through the downtown streets to find a shopper’s dream. Chapel Street, the epicenter for all high-end boutiques, is home to idiom, known for its hand-crafted jewelry and bags. If you are looking to add a modern piece to your closet, check out Raggs, or if you have a flair for tradition, Derek Simpson Goldsmith for the heart of European design in New Haven. Interested in browsing some hats? Elm Street has been home to Del Monico Hatter for 117 years, established in 1908. To complete your vintage shopping haul, visit Civvies, another blast from the past in downtown New Haven.

All that said, for many of us, abundance is not a resolution but rather an issue to be resolved. If shopping less is one of your New Year’ resolutions, don’t worry; New Haven has you covered. Downtown offers boundless cultural experiences across many museums, art galleries, theaters, and plenty of music venues. The Yale University Art Gallery houses some of the most exquisite paintings in history. Degas, van Gogh, and Picasso’s masterpieces call this art gallery home. 

With a historical portal on every corner of the Elm City, you can be transported through history in just one afternoon. Explore the wonders of human cognition through the Peabody Museum’s newest exhibition, Mind/Matter, or witness the art world’s “next big things” at NXTHVN. 

After hours of exploring the city, a little pick me up never hurt anyone. Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea holds itself to a high standard, making sure they produce the finest, freshest coffee with the best-sourced coffee beans. Check out B-Natural Kitchen for food and beverages with the freshest ingredients from New Haven’s backyard. To satisfy that sweet tooth, hit up any of the multiple sweet shops downtown. For fresh baked cupcakes and brownies, visit Katalina’s, or for vegan and gluten-free baked goods, head to Claire’s Corner Copia.

Still craving a libation, but don’t want to wake up tomorrow with a headache? Stop by Heirloom for a non-alcoholic Blackberry Bramble, recently featured in the December issue of Total Food.

Whether you’re alcohol-free for the month, the year, or for life, downtown New Haven has something for everyone. Happy New Year from all of us here at Info New Haven.