Make It a Sober October at These 12 Mocktail Bars Across the U.S.
Photo by Helena Yankovska/Unsplash Drink Lists mocktail bars
Mocktails, or non-alcoholic cocktails, are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Whether it’s for health reasons, personal preference or simply the desire to enjoy a delicious drink without the buzz, mocktails are a great alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages. With this rising demand, mocktail bars are popping up all over the country, offering a variety of creative drinks that cater to everyone’s tastes. These 12 bars are shaking up the beverage scene and providing a unique experience for those who want to enjoy a night out sans-alcohol this Sober October or year-round.
1. Hekate Café & Elixir Lounge in New York, NY
A sober bar and specialty tea shop in the East Village, Hekate serves what they describe as “exotic alcohol-free cocktails,” coffee and tea-based drinks, zero-ABV beers, elixirs and premium sodas. Some of their best-selling mocktails include the jalapeño margarita, made with zero-proof tequila or mezcal and the Spring Spritz, which features non-alcoholic Prosecco and a zero-proof bitter orange aperitif. They’ll also create a custom beverage for you based on your favorite flavors. For Sober October, Hekate features special offerings with a new creation for you to try each day.
2. Bendición Dry Bar in Chicago, IL
Chicago’s Humboldt Park is home to Bendición, a dry bar and non-alcoholic bottle shop, and one of the first intentional Sober Social Community Spaces in the city. They’ve created a welcoming environment for sober and sober-curious patrons seeking an alternative to the traditional bar scene. Enjoy a curated selection of non-alcoholic beers, spirits, wines, canned cocktails and seltzers, or, if you want to create impressive zero-proof beverages yourself, they have items like syrups and bitters you can take home.
3. Umbrella Dry Bar in Raleigh, NC
Located in Downtown Raleigh, Umbrella Dry Bar is a zero-proof craft cocktail bar, retail bottle shop and event space where you can be “social while sober.” They have a great selection of non-alcoholic spirits, beers, wines and mixers year-round as well as seasonal menus. For the fall, there’s an apple cider margarita, a zero-proof Dark and Stormy, and a seasonal sangria with non-alcoholic Cabernet Sauvignon and brown sugar. You can also find Umbrella Bar’s offerings at community events ranging from jazz festivals to dance parties.
4. Ocean Beach Cafe in San Francisco, CA
Nestled in the Outer Richmond neighborhood—bordered by Golden Gate Park, Lincoln Park and the Presidio—Ocean Beach Cafe is a non-alcoholic bar, cafe, bottle shop and private event space. Their zero-proof cocktail options include their version of the martini, Aperol Spritz and French 75 accompanied by an assortment of sandwiches and wraps. Visit them for Happy Hour from 3 to 6 p.m. each day they’re open, or sign up for a private mixology class or tasting.
5. Sans Bar in Austin, TX
Austin’s first sober bar and one of the first in the country, Sans Bar’s flagship location is now in Downtown Austin on Congress Avenue, just south of the Texas Capitol. They’ve been serving zero-proof cocktails, wines and beers since 2017 at pop-up events and a location in East Austin, and now at their brick-and-mortar space. Sans Bar has also helped other alcohol-free brands get their start with courses offered through their academy.
6. Verbena Free Spirited in Cleveland, OH
The first bar in the city to be completely non-alcoholic, Verbena Free Spirited is located in Cleveland’s Hingetown neighborhood. Their cafe, retail shop, workspace and bar serves up small plates and desserts alongside non-alcoholic cocktails, beers, wines, teas and coffees. Sample seasonal drinks or mocktails like The Crown, their take on the Pimm’s Cup or the New Fashioned, made with spiritless Kentucky bourbon.
7. The Volstead in Philadelphia, PA
The Volstead is more than just a mocktail bar. Located on historic Main Street, it employs those in recovery or returning from incarceration and pays them a livable wage. Their menu focuses on seasonal, sustainable food and zero-alcohol drinks including flavorful cocktails, beers and wines. The bottle shop has a great selection of zero-proof spirits, wines, beers and mixers to stock your bar at home.
8. The Sober Social in Atlanta, GA
The Sober Social in Atlanta is known for handcrafted, non-alcoholic cocktails that share many of the same notes as their alcoholic versions. If you can’t choose just one to try, there’s a flight with four different mocktail offerings too. Their menu also includes teas, coffees, non-alcoholic beers and wines and some drinks made with cannabis or adaptogens. As a bonus, a bottle shop is set to open in fall of 2023.
9. Mocksie in Wilmington, NC
Mocksie is “Wilmington’s home for non-alcoholic beer, wine, mocktails and more” and Eastern North Carolina’s first NA bottle shop and bar. Sit and enjoy one of their featured creations at the bar, take something home from their bottle shop or book a private tasting for you and your friends. They even hold classes and special events, like mocktail workshops and hobby socials where you can work on crafts or other fun activities.
10. Unimpaired Dry Bar in Iowa City, IA
A full-service, alcohol-free bar in Iowa City, Unimpaired offers a drink menu featuring zero-proof versions of classics that you’d find at any watering hole, plus tasty appetizers and pizzas. With karaoke and trivia nights, dancing, darts, pool and a jukebox, it’s a party spot for the University of Iowa crowd and locals that boasts “fun times that aren’t foggy.” Whether you’re sober or want a nightlife option without the pressure to consume alcohol, Unimpaired Dry Bar is a welcoming place.
11. The Bandbox in Orlando, FL
Orlando’s Ivanhoe Village District is where you’ll find The Bandbox, an Art Deco-inspired, spirit-free speakeasy and bottle shop. It offers an intimate, immersive experience where you can sample non-alcoholic craft cocktails, beers and wines or a selection of elixirs, tonics and CBD beverages. Visit the tasting lounge to try a classic like the High-Hat, a zero-proof version of a maple-smoked Old Fashioned, or a signature cocktail like the Blueberry Bombshell, made with blueberry-mint CBD, ginger and blackberry syrup.
12. Dry Spokes in Omaha, NE
A craft dry bar in the heart of Omaha, Dry Spokes features bar bites, entrees and non-alcoholic cocktails in a cozy, relaxed environment. First established as a mobile bar cart, they’re now located in a building from the 1920s situated above what is believed to be a bootleggers’ tunnel. There’s also entertainment, like poetry slams and live music, and a bottle shop for the home mixologists.