I go out with friends to wine bars and restaurants a couple of times a week.
I’ve noticed this January everywhere is REALLY empty. I think it’s a combo of omicron fears (I’m in fearful CA) and “Dry Januaries” that people like to do now—no drinking in Jan.
I opt to not participate in dry Jans—life is short! But yes, everything in moderation.
I read that bars in NYC (which of course still haven’t recovered from the shutdowns, masks, distancing, etc.) are really suffering with this “dry January” stuff. People come in and do a little virtue-signaling by looking horrified at the idea of a drink and order just food….which of course is not where bars make their money.
Certainly it’s good not to be such a steady drinker that you can’t go without alcohol any length of time, but I hate this “dry January” stuff because in my mind, it’s a state-declared Lent, with the state’s favorite ploy, “it’s all for your health.” So this gives the health-virtue crowd a virtue-signaling moment, and continues the state’s relentless push to control every aspect of our private lives.