🥂 A Philly guide to Dry January | Morning Newsletter

Morning, Philly. It’s another freezing one, with gusty winds and more snow possible this weekend.

Dry January is here, bringing with it a chance to explore the city’s nonalcoholic drinks scene. For sober-curious Philadelphians, we have your guide to all things zero proof, this month and beyond.

And one of the country’s most successful fine-dining restaurateurs is finally opening a Philly restaurant.

Here’s what to know today.

— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

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Taking a break from alcohol in the new year? Whether for health benefits or the chance to slow down and reflect, welcome to Dry January.

Luckily for the sober or sober curious, Philly has a ton of NA offerings, from bars to specialty shops to events.

🥂 Nonalcoholic is no longer niche: Scores of local bars — including Grace and Proper in South Philly, Mia Ragazza in Manayunk, and Bar Hygge in Fairmount — offer zero-proof options for those who don’t imbibe.

🥂 You can also check out entirely alcohol-free spots like Bar Palmina in Fishtown, which offers booze-free craft cocktails, wines, and more.

🥂 January brings a handful of pop-up events such as a zero-proof menu workshop at Middle Child Clubhouse and the Dry Vibes Philly Festival.

Check out reporter Hira Qureshi’s guide to mindful drinking in Philadelphia, this month and beyond.

In a career spanning four decades, restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow has opened fine-dining establishments in some of the world’s biggest cities — except Philadelphia. Now, the University of Pennsylvania grad is coming home, in a way, by opening Mr. Edison in the Bellevue.

The restaurant will occupy the space that held the Center City building’s former Polo Ralph Lauren store on Walnut Street, and is part of a multimillion-dollar renovation.

And the name? A tribute to Thomas Edison, who designed the Bellevue’s lighting for its 1904 opening.

Food reporter Mike Klein has what to expect from the landmark building’s new tenant.

On the menu: Mr. Edison is one of more than 110 restaurants set to open around the Philadelphia region in 2025. Other standouts include high-end Japanese, Indian ice cream, and pancake doughnuts. Here’s the full list.

Plus: Looking for a place to eat in South Jersey? Check out our round-up of seven great Collingswood restaurants.

Girl Scout Cookies season is here. Which is true about the brand’s Philly roots?

A) A Greater Philadelphia troop was the first to sell commercially baked cookies

B) The first Girl Scout troop was founded in the Philly suburbs

C) A Philadelphia troop invented Thin Mint cookies

D) All of the country’s Girl Scout cookies are produced in a local plant

Think you know? Check your answer.

🚽 Eying: The $10,000 toilets, bidets, and other increasingly popular fancy home bathroom upgrades.

⚡ Celebrating: Philly Loves Bowie Week and more local music shows.

🦅 Glad to see: The bald eagle and osprey are no longer in danger in New Jersey.

🏠 Considering: The economic forces that drive the homelessness crisis.

Hint: Philly-founded band led by a New York Times best-selling author

JEAN SPEAKERS ABAFT

Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Jaclyn Schrauger, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Kimmel Center. Ushers at the city’s largest arts center voted to authorize their union leaders to call a strike after months of negotiations failed to produce a contract. (Look for the latest on Inquirer.com.)

❄️ One more safety thing: The Office of Homeless Services declared a Code Blue event on Thursday. The city is offering services such as warming centers to anyone who needs a respite from the cold.

Thanks, as always, for starting your day with The Inquirer. Back at it tomorrow.

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