Bermuda's happy hour crowd took No Alcohol Day with a shot of tequila and large pinch of salt last night ? with one bar reporting booze sales had actually gone up.

Duncan Adam, general manager at The Bermuda Bistro on Front Street, said the venue put on a "two for one" promotion amid concerns that the campaign would affect sales.

But as mingled with the punters sipping on their pints, he reported: "It's a bit busier than usual and we've not served any any soft drinks."

The managers at Flanagans and Docksiders also reported a booming trade, with few of their customers paying heed to the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention's (CADA) advice to have a happy hour without alcohol.

"I'm on the hard stuff," said Chester Sheen, 41, from Somerset, as he tucked into a vodka and coke at Flanagans. "It's Friday, I work hard, and like to sit back and enjoy a drink."

His views were echoed by father and son Casey Blanchard, 27, and Murray Blanchard, 48, who are over from Canada to work on gas station refurbishment.

"I saw the sign about No Alcohol Day but didn't understand. Who organised it?" asked Mr. Blanchard senior, who was drinking Budweiser beer.

"Why did they pick a Friday?" asked his son.

And Peter Martin ? enjoying "just the one" pint of lager in Docksiders ? said in his view, the crowds at the bar only served to show the truth of the Friday night anthem "Bermudians Like to Drink".

Despite this, Anthony Santucci, chairman of the CADA board, hailed the first ever No Alcohol Day a huge success. "The day highlighted challenges that this country has with abuse of alcohol. I know people who have taken advantage of it to spend time with their families instead of going to happy hour," he said.

He added that CADA is already looking forward to No Alcohol Day 2007 which will focus on educating the younger generation.