How your comedy club can bring banter without the booze in January and beyond

Here are some easy ways your comedy club can bring more tickle, less pickle and promote your 2026 line-ups to anyone making changes to their drinking habits. Because less booze, doesn't mean less laughs.

With a record number of Brits (17.5 million) set to go booze-free in January and almost three quarters of the UK saying life would be dull without humour – there's never been a better time to celebrate the unifying world of comedy.

• Offering alcohol-free options is one of the easiest ways you can elevate the experience for everyone. Move beyond typical soft drinks by supplying a varied range of alcohol-free beers, wines, mocktails, and botanical spirits.
• Why not create a dedicated mocktail menu with fun names that fit your comedy night theme?
• Don’t forget about your choice of glassware – good presentation makes your alcohol-free drinks feel intentional, not an afterthought.
• Need some inspo? Check out our low and no alcohol drink reviews

• Put alcohol-free options front and centre and make sure to integrate them with your main drinks menu to normalise these alternatives.

• Let people know that your club respects all choices. Share your alcohol-free offering on your website, in social media posts, and around the venue. Even adding alcohol-free messaging to your ticket confirmation emails goes a long way.
• Brief booked comedians to be mindful of alcohol-related jokes, ensuring their material supports an inclusive atmosphere for guests who aren’t drinking.
  

• Ensure staff are knowledgeable about alcohol-free options and can recommend them confidently and without judgement.

• Pick one night in January to offer only alcohol-free drinks.
• Look to book comedians who work with themes of wellbeing, mental health, lifestyle change or who have openly talked about their relationship with alcohol.
• Market your event as a celebration that puts the laughs, not the booze, centre stage – after all, the Dry January^® challenge is all about what you gain not what you give up. The best jokes are the ones you can remember. You can even encourage anyone taking on the challenge to set and achieve the mission ‘live comedy’ in the Try Dry^® app.
• Let people know you’re supporting Alcohol Change UK’s Dry January^® challenge by sharing posts on your social media, website, and of course around your venue. Top tip: Why not download our range of ready to go promotional resources?
  

Why not use your event to make a real difference and raise funds for our vital work to end alcohol harm?

Whether this is donating a percentage of ticket sales or holding a raffle or bucket collection on the night, every contribution helps us continue delivering evidence-based information, free digital tools like the Try Dry^® app, and year-round support for people cutting back or going alcohol-free.