Attempting Dry Jan? We found the best places to go in Liverpool that don’t involve booze

There are many stereotypes around the typical university lifestyle of Liverpool students. Your parents probably think all you do is go out drinking, partying, clubbing and just generally be skint because of the amount of doubles you’re buying.

With 2025 being a fresh start for everyone, especially for those who promised they wouldn’t drink again after a dreadful hangover, maybe attempting Dry January is up your street this month.

Anyway yes, Liverpool is known for its amazing nightlife, but there is much more to the city than what people say. Liverpool has so many activities and aesthetic food places that are kept very hush hush by locals – this is coming from a former scouser myself. Whether you’re interested in sports, want to find new food places, or coffee shops (of course with a lovely student discount) then this is the place to be.

We’re about to reveal all of the secrets to a great night out, or even a wholesome day out, without the stress of a hangover the next morning.

Lunko on Lark Lane

Food may not be the first thought you think of after waking up feeling rough, but grabbing one of the viral pastries from Lunko is sure to comfort your hangover and relieve your headache. If you’re giving Dry January a go, the selection of croissants Lunko has to offer are to die for, specifically my personal favourite, the Nutella Supreme. Heading out for a wholesome walk around Sefton Park, followed by a brookie or cronut in Lunko, is the perfect alternative to rotting in bed with a hangover on a Sunday morning.

Épicerie Fine on Smithdown Road

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Keeping the food theme going here, as there’s nothing better than getting up and out to go for a walk and a spot of brunch in town. If you’re feeling dreadful after a long night of drinking, having a go at Dry Jan, or just looking for a different food place to try, then Épicerie Fine is the place to be. The Smithdown Road spot has a great selection of breakfasts inspired by French cuisine, ranging from croissants, salmon plates to pain perdu – sounds fancy, I know.

Even if you fancy a slow sober morning and a lie in, it also offers a stunning lunch menu that is bound to tickle your tastebuds. There’s no need to splurge all your student loan in here either, as you can pick up a plate for about £10 for either lunch or breakfast.

Gasp on Lark Lane

Gasp is a great shop for those students who love a good wander round a vintage shop. The amount of second-hand furniture in here is to die for, and the shop has so many interesting items, from decor for your student accommodation to picture frames, furniture, objects, and lamps. You name it, they have it! This is a great place to explore for hours on end – it’s practically like scrolling on Vinted but in real life.

You can find Gasp on Lark Lane, so it fits perfectly into that wholesome Dry Jan itinerary of mooching round the independent shops and grabbing a coffee on the way.

The Albert Docks

Getting some vitamin D, fresh air and walking through history is a great way to get to know the city you’re now calling home. Spending your money in all of the gift shops is a right of passage too – maybe commemorating Dry January with some The Beatles memorabilia is the way to go.

You also can’t go wrong with quenching your appetite at one of the incredible restaurants the waterfront has to offer. Rudy’s, Maray, The Botanist, and Gusto are just a handful of our go-to spots for a quiet meal overlooking the views of the city. Although The Docks are home to plenty of pubs and drinking spots that we’ve all got some rogue experiences attached to, you can easily make a romantic sober evening out of a mooch down to the Pier Head.

ArCains in the Brewery Village

Ironically, this spot can be found amongst some of the iconic pubs around the Red Brick Market, another perfect daytime venue to venture round if you’re a lover of all things vintage and quirky. Located in the Cains Brewery Village by the Baltic Triangle, ArCains is like stepping back into a time machine, playing all of the games you used to play as a child. They’ve got consoles boasting those classic nostalgic games like Guitar Hero, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Mario Kart.

If you’re looking for a fun evening activity that doesn’t revolve around drinking, then this arcade is the place to be. You can get competitive amongst your housemates, or challenge your friends to a face off on one of the many arcade machines and fun tabletop activities. With three floors of different types of games, there is fun for everyone here, sober or not!

Gravity Max

Have you always wanted to compete in a go-karting race with your mates, but never knew where to go? Gravity Max is the answer to all your questions, with multiple games for people to play, ranging from crazy golf and bowling, to AR digital darts and electric go-karting. It’s only in Liverpool ONE, so it’s a perfect spot to take your flatmates and friends to for another night of competition and probably a few arguments.

Gravity Max offers 15 per cent student discount on selected activities as well – nothing better than a good bargain.

Sefton Park

You can’t go wrong with a lovely walk around Liverpool’s biggest park, with lots of scenic views and nature around you. If you live in Smithdown, or a student accommodation like Greenbank, so why not have a walk around? You can increase your steps, boost your serotonin levels when you see the baby swans, play footie on the field and get lovely fresh air after a long day slaving away in the Sydney Jones. Sefton Park is a great spot to relax and chill out after a long day.

You can hop on any of the 80, 75, 82 and 60 buses to go past the park, and you can make it even more wholesome if you bring along a picnic and a few friends to chill out on the green.

Greenbank Park

It may be one of the smallest parks in Liverpool, but Greenbank has a lot to offer. Whether that is having a nice stroll after a tough day at university, feeding the geese, chilling in the flower garden, having a lovely afternoon lunch in the Watering Can, or even attempting trying to fish, there’s something for everyone here. It’s safe to say that Greenbank is an underrated park, and hopefully a quiet spot for those of you taking up running during Dry Jan. Let that fitness era thrive!

There’s nothing to be worried about when it comes to sober activities in and around the city centre. When you’re not wrapped up in six layers in your uni kitchen because your landlord refuses to let you put the heating on, you’re bound to find plenty of things to keep you occupied during Dry January – or if you feel the need to reconnect with normality after a truly disgraceful night out.