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<\/p>\nLOCALS in a booze-free boozer have said they prefer it to pubs and bars where alcohol is on sale. <\/p>\n
Sam Watson, a recovering alcoholic, noticed there was nowhere to go in Weymouth at night that did not serve alcohol.<\/p>\n
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So Sam launched the Dry Dock in a former dentists to cater for the gap in the market. Now drinkers in the pub have said they prefer it because of the no booze policy.<\/p>\n
Sharon MacLean, 44, is waiting for a heart transplant and has given up smoking and drinking and adopted a healthier lifestyle.<\/p>\n
She said: "I come here most days. My surgery was a major factor but I also just wanted to be healthier, not to smoke or drink and here there is much more of a community vibe.<\/p>\n
"I call it an adult youth club. There's a free pool table, darts and board games.<\/p>\n
"They have live music on a Friday and Saturday night so I like to come down for that.<\/p>\n "There's a men's mental health group on a Monday night and they've just started one for women too.<\/p>\n "I know people who have been widowed and they come to make friends. I tell all my friends about it.<\/p>\n "I was in a bad relationship with someone who was an alcoholic and I just feel safer in an environment like this.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n "I just really enjoy it, you know you're going to have a laugh and see someone you know."<\/p>\n Alan Farrell, 46, from Portland, has given up alcohol due to being on heavy medication.<\/p>\n He said he likes that you get a much wider variety of non-alcoholic ciders and beers than you would in a pub.<\/p>\n He said: "People who come in just generally want to avoid the alcohol vibe. I'm on quite heavy medication so I choose not to drink anymore but I like that I can have a cider here.<\/p>\n "If I'm in a pub people will always ask me why I'm not drinking so I'd just rather go to a place not serving alcohol.<\/p>\n "In a pub you normally get soft drinks, coffee and maybe one or two alcohol-free beers. Here there's about 50 different options, a true variety.<\/p>\n "My partner drinks but she'll quite happily come in here and enjoy a gin equivalent and know she won't wake up with a hangover.<\/p>\n "I think people like it because there's nothing like this around. It's run as a community interest, not for profit, so the drinks are slightly cheaper, there's a really friendly atmosphere.<\/p>\n "People feel they can socialise safely if they don't like the rowdiness of pubs. You get people of every age in here.<\/p>\n "There is a huge amount of community spirit, everyone has just come together. <\/p>\n "All the work was done by volunteer labour, the furniture was donated by Palmer's Brewery in Bridport and there's lots of events being organised.<\/p>\n "And everything is free – the jukebox, pool table, retro arcade games. We have younger groups into Warhammer and Dungeons & Dragons."<\/p>\n Yasmine Case, 26, and her mum Sarah, 53, both from Weymouth, go to Dry Dock every Thursday for a social group gathering. <\/p>\n Yasmine said: "We used to meet at a cafe but a lot of people couldn't get up the stairs so we started meeting here instead.<\/p>\n "It's really lovely and I like that it's dog friendly too. I don't really drink in general but there's a good choice if you do want a non-alcoholic drink."<\/p>\n Mum Sarah added: "It's got a really nice atmosphere and there's lots going on with different groups. <\/p>\n "It's nice to know if you do want a cider or something like that you can have an alcohol-free one and there's lots of choice.<\/p>\n "I'm hoping to run some arts and crafts workshops here in the future too."<\/p>\n Leigh Henderson, 45, was manning the bar and is in charge of organising all the events at Dry Dock.<\/p>\n He said: "It started off as an alcohol-free bar but it has evolved now into a community hub.<\/p>\n "We have artists and change the gallery every month, live music every Friday and Saturday night, well being communities, women's circles, it's pulling in lots of different groups of people.<\/p>\n "We get people walking in off the streets curious wanting to know what it is and we say 'whatever you want it to be'.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/newspress-collage-w1txpb2iz-1702074310289.jpg\")
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