Bar owner claims he's taken $0 in sales since Dry January started

With all the excessive drinking over the holiday season, many of us embark on Dry January to start the new year feeling fresh and motivated.

Of course, there are many health benefits to going a whole month without booze, both physically and mentally.

But what is not often talked about is the other side of Dry January - and in particular, those who own a bar or restaurant and make money from selling booze.

Well, one bar owner has recently taken to TikTok to explain the impact a lot of people not drinking in January has for the hospitality industry.

Former Red Sox MLB Pitcher Pat Light and current bar owner Pat Light has taken to TikTok to reveal the struggle he has experienced in the opening month of the year.

Speaking in a now viral video, Pat said: "Most people don’t think about this when it comes to Dry January. Those of you new, I’m a bar owner here in [Hoboken], New Jersey, right outside New York City… the week after New Year’s Eve is, like, the slowest week in the world."

Pat explained how he owns seven bars, all of which are feeling the impact of the growing trend associated with Dry January.

TikTok/@patt__light

In fact, the bar owner claims he experienced a day with 'zero dollars in sales' in the typically busy town of Hoboken.

Pat went on to say how this is 'not typical' and that the bar does 'well' most other days.

The day where the bar owner saw 'zero sales' was on 2 January - a day a lot of people tend not to drink anyway due to still being hungover from their New Year's Eve celebrations.

Nonetheless, the fact one of Pat's bars made 'zero sales' in a day has come as a huge surprise to himself, as well as those on TikTok.

Over 700 people have flocked to the comments section of the post to provide their thoughts.

Getty Stock Photo

"There’s a big sobriety movement and I’m here for it. As someone who doesn’t drink, offer mocktails," one person suggested.

A second added: "January is a slow time for all businesses due to people spending a lot during the holidays."

"Great time to give the staff some time off from the busiest time of the year. Deep clean, do the floors, repairs," a third remarked.

And another quipped: "Offer more non-alcoholic drinks, they don’t need to be boring. Make them look as good as a regular drink in a nice glass and garnish it."