A DJ hosting a sober club night in Glasgow claims he was turned down by “almost” every city centre venue he contacted.

The dry danceathon is being held at 300-capacity music venue Ivory Blacks on Oswald Street because according to its organisers, “no one else would have us.”

Instead of vodka shots, pints and prosecco, bar tenders will be serving alcohol-free fruit smoothies and raw cacao juice, for an alcohol-free energy boost.

The event, which is described as, “mindful clubbing,” has been welcomed by alcohol addiction groups and public health officials in Glasgow and has generating a lot of interest on social media.

However, according to organiser, Ronnie Whittaker, it wasn’t quite so warmly received by the city’s clubs, whose profits rely on alcohol sales, until Ivory Blacks on Oswald Street agreed to host it on February 25.

He said: “I tried everybody. No one else would have us.

“I think it’s really short-sighted.

“We are not anti-drink, we just enjoy ourselves without it.

“We’ve been doing events on a smaller scale for two years under the banner of ‘Conscious Dance’ but this is the first proper night.

“We get everybody at our events. We have had students, young people, people who are into health and fitness.

“There are a lot more people buying organic foods doing yoga and positive thinking and focussing on their health. Sober clubbing is just riding on that wave.

“People who are in recovery (from alcohol addiction) don’t really get that many opportunities, socially.

“We have had a lot of support from the Scottish Recovery Consortium.”

Ronnie, who has a background in electronic music, said there would be a mixture of house, techno and club classics.

He said: “It’s just like any other club night. The only difference is there is no alcohol.

“Alcohol makes people more talkative. In sober clubs, the MC facilitates engagement from the crowd. We aren’t just leaving people on the dancefloor.

“We create a sound journey, so it’s not just about putting records on.”

Donald Macleod, chairman of Glasgow Licensing Forum, and owner of the Garage and Cathouse clubs, said: “There are business decisions to be made.

“We are in the business of selling alcohol, promoting bands and providing entertainment and the three components have to work together.

“If someone comes to us with a business model that makes sense, we would help the promoters to succeed.”

However, a spokesman for the group added that the sober club night had “sparked discussion” and talks were underway about a future alcohol-free event in Glasgow.

Linda de Caestecker, Director of Public Health for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “What a great idea. "It would be good to see more clubs and events following this example and serving healthy, sugar-free drinks.”

Kuladharini, Chief Executive of the Scottish Recovery Consortium, said: “We absolutely welcome any event that encourages people to get together and be social and experience this without having to drink alcohol.

“There are people who don’t have a problem with alcohol and enjoy a drink when they are out. For some, it would be a great experiment.

“There is the whole Dry January movement. It means the whole community can have a night out.

“It’s part of a movement that is gathering pace in Glasgow, in the north west recovery community with events such as comedy nights. Children can go, if there is no alcohol being sold.”

Tickets for Sober Clubbing are priced £11 until January 31 and available via the Facebook event page.