A brand new dry bar called Bendición Dry Bar is hoping to make its official debut somewhere in Chicago.
Founder Cristina Torres has hosted ten pop-up events under this name, serving non-alcoholic drinks while hosting activities such as dances, open mic nights, and DIY crafts. Ideally, Torres would like to open Bendición Dry Bar somewhere on the Northwest Side, like Avondale, or the South Side, such as Pilsen. When this brick-and-mortar finally opens, she hopes it will become “a sober place for people to hang out.” She recently met her GoFundMe goal of $15,000, making this dream closer to becoming a reality.
“Our main goal is to create a safe and fun environment where people can come together for dance parties, date nights, have community classes, host recovery meetings, and create those deeper connections we all need and crave — without the expectation or societal pressure to include alcohol,” Torres wrote in the GoFundMe post.
Despite meeting her GoFundMe goal, Torres still needs more funding to make this dream come true, likely from an investor. When the funds come together, and Torres finds a place for this dry bar, she will use it for more than just an alternative for a night out. Bendición Dry Bar will also serve as a community center with community-driven events such as art fairs, chef showcases, and tax seminars.
All of this is a testament to Torres’ past and her commitment to helping those in need. The young entrepreneur suffered from alcohol addiction until 2020. Despite multiple efforts to quit, she and her friends would always drink for an occasion or go out for drinks after a long day.
“I’m glad people have spoken out and have said they need and want this space,” Torres tells What Now Chicago. “I’m overwhelmed and grateful because of how many people have reached out to me to tell me their stories of how alcohol addiction has affected their life in one way or another.”
Now, she hopes this new establishment will serve as one of the few late-night hangout spots that don’t rely on drinking alcohol. Torres, who is Mexican and Puerto Rican, hopes to open the dry bar in an area predominately home to people of color. Now that she’s met her GoFundMe goal, Torres has an upcoming summer residency at Paper Plane Pizza in Uptown Chicago. Any additional funds from the GoFundMe Fundraiser will go towards this residency.
“I didn’t think we were going to hit the GoFundMe goal,” Torres continues. “In previous years, other fundraisers that aimed to open dry bars didn’t go so well because people didn’t see the need for them. I think with the pandemic, people have had time to evaluate their drinking habits. Because of that, people are seeing they need something else to be social that doesn’t rely on drinking. This is a really great time for it.”
