Plus, take a mural bike tour.
 
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🍹 The best buzz-free beverages

Where you can find buzz-free beverages, or mocktails, in Lakeland
A red mocktail topped with fruit and a paper umbrella
Criollisimo’s drinks even come with tiny umbrellas. | Photo by LALtoday
Is Dry January already starting to get stale? Mix things up with a mocktail. Keep reading to see where you can find alcohol-free drinks in Swan City.

Criollisimo, locations vary
Who says mocktails have to be boring? Find this booth at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market for a refreshing taste of the tropics. Drinks are made to order with fresh fruit and juice — perfect for cooling off on a sunny Saturday.

A hand holds a non-alcoholic Paloma topped with a slice of grapefruit

The Paloma is sweet, salty, and still so delicious sans alcohol.

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Photo by LALtoday

The Joinery, 640 E. Main St.
A few drinks from this food hall’s bar can be made zero-proof. We’re fans of the non-alcoholic Muh Muh Muh My Paloma and the Thai One On.

Revival, 119 S. Kentucky Ave.
This downtown bar can whip up any cocktail into a mocktail. We ordered a non-alcoholic riff on an Aperol Spritz. This biz also keeps a variety of kombucha on tap.

Quinteassence Kava Bar, 839 N. Massachusetts Ave.
Kava is a non-alcoholic beverage, but (like alcohol) it’s a nervous system depressant. That means you can expect a similar sensation, sans alcohol. Next time you’re looking for a refreshing drink, try the blue lotus kava lemonade.

Three colorful cocktails sitting on a bar

Ask your bartender about The Back Nine’s mocktail menu.

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Photo by LALtoday

The Back Nine, 124 S. Tennessee Ave.
Reader Ashley B. recommends the many mocktail options at this eatery + sports simulator spot. Try the No-jito for a twist on a mojito, or the Sans-gria for a fruity sangria alternative.

Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St.
If cocktails aren’t your thing, try a non-alcoholic beer at Swan Brewing. Reader Miriam N. suggests grabbing a can of Athletic Brewing Co.'s non-alcoholic beer to enjoy on the patio.
4 more must-try mocktails
 
Events
Thursday, Jan. 11
  • Acoustic Dose w/ Top Dog Concessions | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 6-9 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Enjoy acoustic tunes from a live duo while sipping on your favorite brew with views of the lake.
  • Trivia Thursdays at The Back Nine! | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The Back Nine, 124 S. Tennessee Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Test your knowledge with themed and general trivia.
Friday, Jan. 12
  • Gallery Perspectives | Friday, Jan. 12 | 12 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art, 800 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland | Free | Get an inside look at the exhibit “Timeless Origins: The Art of Reynier Llanes” hosted by the artist.
  • Exploration Station | Friday, Jan. 12 | 2-4:30 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Guests of all ages can get up close and personal with reptiles from Gatorland.
Saturday, Jan. 13
  • 45th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 10 a.m. | Lake Maude Recreation Park, 1751 7th St. NE, Winter Haven | Free | This parade starts at Lake Maude and ends at Lake Silver — the theme is “Spreading Hope, Courage, and Unity.”
  • Open Mic Second Saturdays | Saturday, Jan. 13 | 7-11 p.m. | Quinteassence, 839 N. Massachusetts Ave., Ste. 101, Lakeland | Price of donation | Show off your spoken word, poetry, visual art, or musical talents.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Transit
  • Polk Transportation Planning Organization is seeking community feedback before creating its Resiliency & Carbon Reduction Plan. Take this five-minute survey to provide feedback on which roads near you are prone to flooding, wildfires, and other hazards.
Travel
  • The Polk County Clerk’s office is making it even easier to take your next vacation. Visit the Saturday passport event on Feb. 3, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. at the Lakeland branch office (930 E. Parker St.) to apply for a passport and take your photo.
Outdoors
  • Common Ground Playground turns 15 this year. The park, known as the first “inclusive play experience” in the county, opened in 2009 and is supported by the Rotary Twilight 5K. Sign up for the race, set for Friday, Feb. 9 at Lake Hollingsworth.
Active
  • See Swan City’s street art on two wheels at EMERGE Lakeland’s Mural Bike Tour. The family-friendly ride will start at Swan Brewing on Sunday, Jan. 21 at 12 p.m. before winding through downtown.
Closing
  • The Salvation Army of Winter Haven has announced plans to close its shelter on Feb. 12 due to rising costs. The organization plans to keep its food pantry + family services in operation. It’s currently seeking housing for 15 current shelter residents. (WFTS)
Ranked
  • No. 1. That’s what Lake Gibson High School wrestler Gianni Maldonado is ranked in the Southeast region. Maldonado held his own in a late 2023 knockout match — now his eye is on finishing his senior season undefeated. (The Ledger)
History
  • Do you remember where you were on Sept. 4, 1976? For fans of the King of Rock and Roll, that answer might be the former Lakeland Civic Center. Take a look at this photo of the busy box office before Elvis’ show and see if you recognize anyone.
Festival
  • Make your way to the midway, because festival season is about to begin. It starts with the Florida State Fair in Tampa, happening Feb. 8-Feb. 19. Then, the Florida Strawberry Festival will return to Plant City from Feb. 29 to March 10. (Fox 13 News)
Fun Fact
  • Did you know 37,000 of you welcome us into your inbox every morning? We’re asking you to take two minutes to tell us more about yourself so we can continue to write about things you find interesting. One lucky LAL survey participant will win $500. Take the survey.
Active
  • Registration is officially open for the Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center Promise Run. The annual 5K/10K — to be hosted at the Lake Mirror Promenade on Saturday, March 2 — brings the community together to help conquer cancer while celebrating survivors. See the course + register.*
 
Holiday

Let the Dream Megafest begin

Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy in Lakeland
A sign featuring Martin Luther King Jr. hangs on a fire truck during a parade
Celebrate Dr. King’s legacy at the MLK Parade on Saturday, Jan. 20. | Photo by the City of Lakeland
Monday, Jan. 15 marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Commemorate Dr. King’s impact with the 2024 Dream Megafest, a community-wide series of free events starting Friday, Jan. 12. Here are four not to miss:

The Dream Megafest kicks off tomorrow, 1-4 p.m., with a leadership forum on “College, Careers & Community” at the Lake Crago Complex (525 Lake Crago Dr.).

Get free admission to the Florida Children’s Museum this Saturday, Jan. 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., to enjoy performances and museum exhibits.

Sign up for a community improvement project on Monday, Jan. 15 for MLK Day of Community Service, and donate non-perishable food items at The Joinery, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

The 46th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade takes place Saturday, Jan. 20. It steps off from Providence and West 14th Street at 1 p.m. and will end at Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and 2nd Street.
8 more events + interactive map
The Buy

The Buy 1.11.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
A candle warmer lamp. It slowly heats your candle from the top down, giving you all the fragrance without an open flame and making candles last longer.
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The Wrap
 
Connor-Keith-Headshot-LAL

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
One of the Dream Megafest events I’m most looking forward to is the Swan City Jazz Fest, happening Saturday, Jan. 20-Sunday, Jan. 21 in Munn Park. This musical event will feature Grammy Award-winning jazz artists — and even better, it’s free.
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