Ditch the shots and hangovers! Welcome to the exhilarating world of mocktails, where zero alcohol doesn’t mean zero fun. With more people choosing sobriety or simply curbing their alcohol consumption, alcohol-free bars (yes, you heard it right!) are emerging globally, transforming the social drinking scene.
Did you know that 44 percent of Americans embark on culinary vacations for unique gastronomic experiences?
Now, it’s time to add mocktail bars to your travel itinerary. From the alleyways of New York to the chic avenues of Paris, mocktail bars are the newest pit stops for travel enthusiasts and foodies offering a spectrum of non-alcoholic beverages and a unique cultural experience with every sip.
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10 Best Mocktail Bars Around the World
Here are our top 10 mocktail bars around the globe that have earned their spots based on the diversity and creativity of their drink menus, the ambiance and vibe they offer, and their ratings and reviews.
Get your passports ready, we’re about to take off on a global mocktail adventure.
1. Listen Bar – New York, New York
Located in the heart of the Big Apple, Listen Bar is actually a booze-free pop-up bar that you can find within private and public events. It’s an alcohol-free oasis where conversations flourish and drinks flow freely without a trace of alcohol.
Founder, Lorelei Bandrovschi, felt inspired to create a space where people didn’t feel like they needed to drink after spending a month fulfilling a no-drinking dare.
Now, we’re daring you to try it.
The bar belongs on this list for its awesome vibes—thanks in large part to the bartenders who are all musicians (they even had the guitarist for Patti Smith bartend once). But don’t just take our word for it; major stars like Cynthia Nixon, Katie Holmes, and Nicholas Braun were spotted here. Even Snoop Dog requested that the bar name a drink after him.
Recommended Mocktail: The Stardust—a blend of tea, soda, and a dash of magic—is a crowd favorite and embodies the spirit of this vibrant bar.
2. Spirited Away – New York, New York
Tucked away in Manhattan, Spirited Away is a bottle shop, but it makes the list of best mocktail bars because it hosts epic events and tastings, sans alcohol, now and then. The spot sucks you in with its warm, inviting atmosphere and then keeps you because of its wide variety of non-alcoholic drinks.
Spirited Away carries classic alcohol-free brands (think: Lyre’s) and local New York favorites (like Rasasvada) to totally rare British brands (read: Mockingbird). In fact, there are over 900 alcohol alternatives.
Recommended Mocktail: Earl Grey Bitters & Soda
3. The Virgin Mary Bar (TVM) – Dublin, Ireland
Update – As of August 2023, the bar has shuttered its doors, but it’s not gone completely. It’s going mobile!
Setting a benchmark for the alcohol-free movement, The Virgin Mary Bar in Dublin, Ireland, has become a favorite spot for those who appreciate the art of mixology without the head-spinning aftermath.
Visitors can’t get enough of the cozy and welcoming atmosphere, a haven away from the busy streets of Dublin. The bar has even gone mobile across Ireland, so you might find it at festivals and pop-up venues across the country.
But it’s worth noting that bar manager and cocktail creator Anna Walsh doesn’t like to describe their alcohol-free mixes as mocktails. They still call ’em cocktails, but they get you going in a sober-fun kinda way.
Recommended Mocktail: Their namesake Virgin Mary cocktail, a mix that captures the essence of a Bloody Mary without the alcohol, is the talk of the town.
4. Wildcrafters Booze-Free Bar – Jacksonville, Florida
Located in sunny Jacksonville, Florida, Wildcrafters is shaking up the sober scene. This joint, with its raw, earthy vibe, is a paradise for lovers of finely crafted zero-proof cocktails.
You’ll find all sorts of crazy concoctions—one is served in a Chinese food box with chopstick straws and another is topped with whipped goat cheese and matcha garnish.
While you won’t find a food kitchen here, the bar buddies up with businesses in the area to bring in food trucks for munching here and there. Usually when the bar is hosting an event, including Open Scratch Sessions, where people of all ages and skills can come DJ for the crowd. SoundCloud Sessions also offer up groovy beats and Kava drinks.
Recommended Mocktail: Their No-groni, a cheeky, alcohol-free nod to the classic Negroni, is a top favorite.
5. Sans Bar – Austin, Texas
Sans Bar in Austin, Texas, provides the quintessential bar setting—minus the dreaded hangovers. Known for its lively, energetic feel, Sans Bar has reinvented the city’s nightlife scene.
The bar touts itself as a community where people come for the connection. And patrons really feel it. They often praise the bar’s atmosphere, where people are “really present.”
Founder Chris Marshall gave up booze in 2007, just before kicking off a career as a substance use counselor in 2009. So, he’s all about supporting those in recovery—and has even shared his insights at events like the Aspen Ideas Festival. But Sans Bar is for everyone—whether you’re on the road to recovery, simply sober curious, or, as he calls it, “sober sometimes.”
“When you close your eyes on a busy night, it has the same energy and synergy as a real bar,” Marshall says.
Recommended Mocktail: The alt-tequila Sansgarita, a must-try, non-alcoholic spin on the classic Margarita.
6. Brunswick Aces Bar & Distillery – Melbourne, Australia
Brunswick Aces is the crown jewel of Melbourne’s sober scene, boasting over 100 alcohol-free cocktails, wine, and beer. It’s actually Australia’s very first non-alcoholic distillery, first non-alcoholic bar, and first non-alcoholic bottle shop. The sophisticated drink menu has made it a beloved destination.
The bar has won many awards, including the Australian Gin Award, the Royal Australian Spirit Award, and the Australian Distilled Spirits Award. And it looks like an award-winning spot!
The place is decked out in style with gold and green velvet seating and intricate bird-cage chandeliers brimming with dried flowers for adding elegance.
Recommended Mocktail: Spades Sapiir & Tonic is a game-changer and a crowd favorite that promises to turn your visit into an unforgettable experience.
7. Ocean Beach Cafe – San Francisco, CA
Ocean Beach Cafe is the perfect beachside escape for those seeking a casual, relaxed setting with casual food and a wide selection of non-alcoholic beverages. From kombucha to NA beer, NA wine, and custom mocktails made with spirits like Seedlip, they have something for everyone.
The owner, Joshua James, AKA, “James the Non-Alcoholic” on Youtube, created this space to explore the potential of a social lounge muted to the frequency of alcohol. Having reviewed dozens of non-alcoholic beverages on Youtube, he knows exactly how to mix magical mocktails.
You can even take mixology classes here yourself, or throw your own private parties. If you join Club AF, you’ll have exclusive invites to VIP events, including dinners and tastings, plus other perks like unlimited happy hour. We’d say that’s dangerous, except it’s not… because it’s alcohol-free!
Recommended Mocktail: Visitors often praise the Nuevo Compañero, a fun, refreshing blend of “mezcal,” lime, and salt.
8. Raised by Wolves – San Diego, California
Raised by Wolves is a treasure trove hidden within a La Jolla shopping mall. The speakeasy, which serves both regular cocktails and non-alcoholic cocktails, boasts a vintage, classy ambiance, transporting visitors back in time.
To enter, you must first wait in the Raised by Wolves storefront, which is decorated like an old-fashioned liquor shop. When it’s your turn, they tell you to sit in a chair in front of a fireplace that sits on a revolving platform, which then swivels around to bring you inside.
Recommended Mocktail: A fan-favorite is their Pirate’s Anthem, a delightful mix of citrus, pineapple, black walnut, and allspice, guaranteed to capture the spirit of adventure sans the alcohol.
9. House of Happiness – London, England
Dive into the most fabulous party in London, dubbed “the ultimate sober extravaganza.” While not a mocktail bar per se, House of Happiness is a queer-led sober party with all the glitter, glow sticks, and groovy tunes you love.
The bar showcases a collection of zero-proof options, from non-alcoholic beers to sparkling, booze-free prosecco. You might walk in sober, but you’ll leave drunk on happiness and heady beats. It’s the ultimate party experience—all without the next-day hangover!
10. Le Paon Qui Boit – Paris, France
When you think of Paris, you think of French wine—and lots of it. However, Le Paon Qui Boit, Paris’s first alcohol-free cellar, is a revolutionary spot for the city’s non-drinkers. Located near the Buttes Chaumont, this bar offers a 100% alcohol-free menu with about 400 original drinks.
From IPA beers, spritz, and alcohol-free wines to sparkling drinks, ginger beers, and kefirs, many of the drinks here are vegan and gluten-free. They are also low in sugar, halal, and offer varied and quality alternatives to alcoholic beverages.
It’s an intoxicating experience… minus the alcohol.
How to Enjoy a Mocktail at Any Bar
Let’s say you can’t make it to any of these world-famous mocktail bars for now. You can always get creative with your local bartender or at home.
Mocktails generally consist of an acid, base, and something fruity or sour. You can always ask the bartender to craft a non-alcoholic beverage with your favorite flavor, whether it be grapefruit, passionfruit, cranberry, mojito, hibiscus, etc. Make sure they always use fresh lemon juice or fresh lime for those citrusy drinks. It makes a huge difference.
Depending on the season, you can also get creative with spices like ginger and cardamom or syrups like grenadine.
Check out our article, “How to Order a Mocktail Like You Know What You’re Talking About,” for more inspiration.
Similarly, if you want to make delicious mocktails at home, here is what we recommend you stock up on.
The Trip You’ll Remember, Literally!
There you have it! We’ve traversed the globe, diving into the vibrant world of mocktails, from Dublin to San Diego and everywhere in between. We’ve sipped our way through the best mocktail bars, each putting its city on the map in the world of non-alcoholic spirits.
So, whether you’re a passionate foodie on a culinary vacation or simply someone looking to find a sober-friendly brunch or dinner spot, the allure of these mocktail bars is undeniable.
For more mocktail bar recommendations, don’t forget to check out our list of the best alcohol-free bars in New York City, too.
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