Have you heard about the sober curious movement? If not, you’re at least familiar with Dry January. Neither were part of my drinking vocabulary until recently, when my liver decided to speak up about the number of Manhattans I had been happily enjoying on a regular basis. In my younger days, I probably would have ignored it. But as an older broad, I’m paying closer attention to what I put into my body — and what that body has to say in return — so I can continue with all my adventures in the years to come.
According to my frequently-reliable Google search efforts, Dry January began in 2013 thanks to a charity organization in the United Kingdom. It took nearly a decade for the idea to really catch on in the United States, where we can overdo the holiday cheer before practicing restraint. The sober curious movement gained traction around the same time, influenced in part by Ruby Warrington’s 2018 book Sober Curious. I first heard the phrase while watching a 2024 episode of “Emily in Paris.” The alcohol-free lifestyle has been fermenting (I couldn’t resist) for quite a while now.
Gen Z has jumped on the bandwagon like no generation before them — and they’re talking about it loudly online. According to a Yahoo article, up to 30% of Gen Zers don’t drink alcohol at all. That number alone should make the beverage industry pay close attention.
As a self-defined teetotaler since last summer, my fascination with credible mocktails has not-so-quietly become a priority for this gal. And since I am the Adventure Broad, I’m out in the world quite a bit, exploring places and chatting it up with people at bars. Finding well-crafted libations without the punch has become its own kind of adventure.
Case in point: A local brew pub I frequent from time to time didn’t offer a single non-alcoholic beer. Not one. I pestered them about it — politely but persistently — and eventually, two NA options appeared on the menu. I can’t claim full credit, but I like to think my enthusiastic requests helped tip the scales.
Mocktails, it turns out, are nothing new. They date back to the temperance movement of the early 1900s, when drinks like the Shirley Temple were born. Today’s alcohol-free options, however, are far more sophisticated — and far more tasty.
Enter Working Man Distillers in Pawtucket.
The tasting room offers an impressive assortment of alcohol-free mixed drinks alongside its own distilled whiskey. The business began just six years ago in North Attleboro, quickly outgrew its original space, and moved to Pawtucket two years ago. It’s owned by husband-and-wife team Kelly and John Lendall, and the space itself tells a story before you ever take a sip.
Kelly designed — and literally built — the tasting room with intention. Her vision was to create a beautiful place where people could decompress after work or meet a friend to catch up. It’s her zone of genius: building a true “third space” for community and connection.
Last year, I hosted one of my free Nonprofit Connections RI meetups there and wasn’t in the mood for my usual Manhattan. I scanned the non-boozy options and landed on an alcohol-free Cosmopolitan. It was, frankly, out of this world. During a later conversation with Kelly and John for this story, I sipped the non-alcoholic version of their Tango & Cash — a citrusy, juicy concoction with simple syrup that didn’t leave me missing a thing. There are plenty more zero-proof offerings I’m looking forward to sampling on future visits.
The origin story of Working Man Distillers is a cute one. On their first date, Kelly and John each tried to impress the other with a fancy bottle of whiskey — only to later admit neither really knew much about it. The idea of making whiskey, however, stuck with John. A former plumber with a background in heating and cooling systems and a love of history, he was inspired by George Washington’s whiskey recipe, which he used to create his first batch of rye. Local ingredients are prioritized whenever possible, with all grains sourced from New England.
To be clear, Working Man Distillers is not a bar. Out of respect for the whiskey-making process, it’s a tasting room. It also functions as an event space for weddings, nonprofits, and corporate gatherings. The vibe is homey and clever; every visit reveals new trinkets and tchotchkes tucked throughout the expansive venue. There’s no food menu, but guests are encouraged to bring their own takeout or order delivery. It’s family-friendly, dog-friendly, and truly welcoming. I am trying to figure out how I can live there.
Kelly is currently rolling up her sleeves to build an outdoor cocktail garden, complete with twinkle lights, greenery, and lots of wood, that promises to be a warm-weather favorite.
The tasting room also serves as a community hub. There’s a stage for open mic nights and comedy shows, and Kelly, along with office manager Gillian, actively supports local nonprofits. Working Man Distillers doubles as a pet food donation hub, redistributing supplies to organizations across the state. When events end with extra food, Kelly drops it off at local shelters. Giving back isn’t an afterthought — it’s baked into how they do business and is non-negotiable.
So here’s a friendly word of advice for our local watering holes: it’s time to get your mocktail moxie going on if you haven’t yet jumped on the wagon. If your only alcohol-free option is soda, you may want to rethink that. More and more people want to gather, celebrate, and simply be together without drinking alcohol. Why not expand the menu so everyone can raise a glass?
Cheers!Working Man Distillers is open weeknights. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Learn more at workingmandistillers.com. Follow Dennise on IG @TheAdventurebroad.