Love From, Manchester’s pioneering alcohol-free bar, is set to close its doors less than a year after opening.
The bar, launched in January on Aytoun Street, aimed to challenge the UK’s drinking culture by offering an alcohol-free nightlife experience. Despite initial success, founder Karl Considine, 39, announced its closure in July due to financial difficulties and intense competition in the city centre.
Love From was inspired by the growing trend of sobriety, particularly among Gen Z, and sought to prove that one could enjoy a night out without alcohol. The bar offered alcohol-free cocktails for £7.50 and 0% beer for £6. It initially thrived, capitalising on the estimated 8.5 million Britons who abstained from alcohol during “Dry January.” However, footfall dwindled as the year progressed.
Considine noted, “Many people extend their dry January because a month without alcohol is enough to notice the benefits. We saw that with our customers. But when warmer weather arrived, people preferred to drink outdoors. The Euros were particularly tough; nearby bars were packed while we remained empty.”
The business hoped to attract the “sober-curious” demographic, with research indicating that 18 to 24-year-olds are nearly twice as likely to be non-drinkers compared to older age groups. However, despite growing interest in reducing alcohol consumption, as indicated by a Drinkaware study, this did not translate into sustained patronage for Love From.
“There’s a contradiction in what happened to us. Many people think ‘everyone’s alcohol-free now,’ but there’s a disconnect between that perception and actual customer behaviour,” Considine explained. “People aren’t necessarily choosing to go to an alcohol-free bar. We’re still in a world of moderation and choice.”
Considine, sober for over three years himself, faced online negativity as well. “Comments like ‘you couldn’t pay me to go there’ and ‘he’ll be opening a vegan butchers next’ reflect the preposterousness of going alcohol-free to some. A mind-set change is needed.”
Despite the bar’s closure, Considine remains committed to promoting alcohol-free lifestyles through pop-up events at festivals, corporate functions, and weddings. “What we’ve learnt is there is a growing trend of alcohol-free, but not necessarily full sobriety.”