Dry ‘n’ Out encouraging non-drinkers to feel comfortable socialising

An innovative project to encourage non-drinkers to feel comfortable socialising in hospitality venues has been launched in the city.

Called Dry ‘n’ Out, the initiative is a partnership between the addiction recovery charity, HURT, Have your tomorrows, and the Bentley Bar in Derry’s Market Street.

HURT was founded 21 years ago by Sadie O’Reilly, whose son Tony died of an accidental heroin overdose, because she felt there were not enough services in the city for people dealing with addiction. HURT offers complementary therapies and counselling, among other projects

Speaking to Derry Now, Leeanne Doherty, who recently joined HURT as its Business Development and Social Enterprise Manager, explained the Dry ‘n’ Out campaign.

She said: “The Dry ‘n’ Out campaign is a partnership between HURT and the hospitality sector aimed at making venues more inclusive.

"There are a lot of people who do not drink or are not drinking and they can feel housebound and isolated. Dry ‘n’ Out is a way of getting people out socialising again, especially post-covid. 

Mayor Sandra Duffy with guest and speakers at the launch of the “Dry N’ Out” campaign held at the Bentley Bar in association with Pure Derry. From left, are Dan McGeehan, Operations Manager, The Bentley Group, Joanne Nash, Gary Middleton, MLA, Holly Porter, Johnny Hegarty, Dessie Kyle, Chloe Austin, and Leeanne Doherty, Business Development Officer, HURT. (Photos - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

“So, I approached Tony and Rory at the Bentley. Initially they were a wee bit dubious but when I explained it was to support people by making low and no alcohol drinks available, so people feel more included and inclusive, they came straight back and said, ‘Let’s do it’. The Bentley Bar is now going to partner with us for a year. 

“Through Dry ‘n’ Out, we want people to feel comfortable to go out socialising in their local bars, maybe because there are going to be no alcohol and low alcohol drinks on offer. This will include social inclusion in the city. 

“Many people do not drink alcohol. It could be for  Illness, weight loss, mental health or they just want to go off it for a while. We just wanted to quit the peer pressure people feel when they are out and people ask, ‘‘Why are you not drinking?’ We want to break that stigma,” said Leeanne. 

Dan McGeehan, Operations Manager, The Bentley Group, handing over a cheque for £1,000 to Leanne Doherty, Business Development Manager, HURT, at the launch of the “Dry N’ Out” campaign.

“Pure Derry has also come onboard with HURT and The Bentley, to  produce branding, marketing and the logo for the Dry ‘n’ Out campaign.

Leanne, who worked with Business in the Community for 12 years, helping businesses give back to their communities in terms of philanthropic ways to do innovative projects, said Dry ‘n’ Out will launch in January 2023.

She added: “The Bentley is rolling the initiative out across all eight of its pubs: Bentley, Cosh, Link 48, Link 47, Magnet, Molly Malone’s, The Embankment and The Gate. The events will rotate around all the venues.

“They will host one night a month for people who do not drink, so they can feel comfortable coming out and socialising and will feel included.   

“We are going to have quizzes and book clubs. HURT will be driving the footfall through our media. January is a boring enough month and isolating month, so we are going to put on these events for people to attend and feel safe and included. No-one will be getting on to anyone for not drinking. If anyone wants more information on Dry ‘n’ Out, they can contact me at HURT. We will also have a lot of information on social media.

Mayor Sandra Duffy with members of the HURT "Right Here - Right Now Group".

“At the end of the Dry ‘n’ Out year, HURT is going to create a legacy piece  from the donations we receive at events. I must thank the Bentley, which has already donated £1,000. 

“The legacy piece will have the theme of inclusive socialising and education. We will be reaching out to young people in schools, as well as older people, to change the mindset around alcohol.”