Last Call: Uber to Close Drizly Alcohol Delivery Service
Say goodbye to Drizly. Uber is shutting down the alcohol delivery app, according to multiple reports. This news comes three years after acquiring the platform for $1.1 billion.
“After three years of Drizly operating independently within the Uber family, we’ve decided to close the business and focus on our core Uber Eats strategy of helping consumers get almost anything — from food to groceries to alcohol — all on a single app,” Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty, Uber’s SVP of delivery, told Axios.
Drizly will shut down at the end of March. According to their X post, the app will still send out exclusive perks for Uber Eats over the next few weeks.
Some people are actually quite saddened by the news of Drizly shutting down. “I’m really going to miss my dog barking at the doorbell commercials. And the bear logo [bear emoji] RIP,” they wrote on X. Another person wrote, “You came in handy for us more than a few times and we would’ve continued to use you.”
The alcohol delivery service encourages customers to “feel at home” at Uber Eats. “We think you’ll be really good together,” they wrote on X.
According to The Associated Press, Uber expressed its intention to draw insights from Drizly’s industry experience as it expands its own “BevAlc” services, currently accessible in 35 U.S. states and 25 countries globally. The San Francisco-based company noted that a significant number of existing Drizly customers are also users of Uber accounts.
Uber didn’t stop at Drizly. They rolled out their own food delivery service, Uber Eats, in 2015. Then, in 2020, they snagged Postmates, another delivery option that brings you food, booze, and groceries.
Uber bought Drizly in 2021, using cash and stock. Drizly, based in Boston, still operates independently as an app, and its marketplace is now part of Uber Eats. Drizly delivers alcohol where it’s legal and partners with retailers across North America.
No Booze, No Problem: Alternatives for Dry January
We have kicked off the new year, and many people are using it as an opportunity to ditch booze for the entire first month of 2024. The “Dry January” trend encourages people to abstain from alcohol for 31 days straight.
Originating as a campaign devised and spearheaded by Alcohol Change UK over a decade ago, Dry January serves the purpose of addressing the adverse effects of alcohol, as outlined on their website. In response to this movement, numerous restaurants and bars are adapting their menus to include mocktails and nonalcoholic versions of popular drinks, including nonalcoholic beers and wines. Although not a new concept, its popularity is on the rise.
Many sober-curious people in the United States take on this annual challenge. According to previous surveys by Morning Consult Pro, participation in Dry January ranges from 15% to 35% among U.S. drinkers overall.
Statista projects that the revenue in the non-alcoholic drinks market in the United States will reach US$526.1 billion in 2024, with an estimated annual growth rate of 3.22% (CAGR 2024-2027). This surge is attributed to an escalating demand for healthy and natural non-alcoholic beverages in the country.
Harvard Health Publishing has reported that even a one-month abstinence from alcohol can hold noticeable health benefits. A study in BMJ Open found that regular drinkers who refrained from alcohol for 30 days experienced improved sleep, increased energy, weight loss, lower blood pressure, reduced cholesterol levels, and diminished cancer-related proteins in their blood.
So, if you’re thinking about dialing back on the booze or just starting the year with a clean slate, why not jump on the Dry January train and give up beer, wine, or spirits for a month? And if you’re curious about some cool nonalcoholic options to enjoy during Dry January, check out some of our top picks.
Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it.
She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel.
A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community.
She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.
