The rise of non-alcoholic beverages has transformed social drinking, making nights out more inclusive than ever before.
However, finding venues with thoughtfully curated non-alcoholic options can dramatically elevate the experience for those not drinking alcohol. Whether you’re abstaining for the night or the long term, having access to interesting drinks can enhance your enjoyment and ensure you feel as much a part of the occasion as those sipping on cocktails or craft beers.
Unfortunately, navigating the bar scene as a non-drinker often comes with its own challenges. While many establishments offer something for guests avoiding alcohol, these options are often predictable—think sodas, plain juices, or generic sparkling water. Even bars that do list non-alcoholic options often rely on mass-produced choices, leaving little room for excitement or discovery.
Adding to the frustration is the lack of relevant information in many menus or online listings. It’s not always clear in advance what you’ll find at a particular venue, making it a gamble to visit a bar hoping for something unique or memorable. Without the right tools or information, you might end up settling for a bland option in an otherwise vibrant setting.
This guide will show you how to take the guesswork out of finding bars that truly cater to the non-alcoholic crowd.
1. Venue Websites and Menus: Least Effective
One of the first steps in your search might be browsing bar websites or checking menus online. Platforms like Yelp, Google Reviews, or OpenTable can provide some insights into what a venue offers too. Some bars, and other venues, list their non-alcoholic options, either in a dedicated section of the menu or mixed in alongside their alcoholic equivalents. If you’re lucky, you may find enticing descriptions of intriguing indie beers, creative mocktails made with premium non-alcoholic spirits like New London Light or Pentire, or even palatable alcohol-free wines.
However, this approach comes with challenges. There’s no standardisation in how or where non-alcoholic options are presented, making it harder to track them down. You might need to sift through cocktail sections or search for vague terms like “soft drinks” or “mocktails,” hoping to uncover hidden gems. Even when menus are available online, they’re not always accurate, adding to the uncertainty of what will actually be available when you arrive.
While reviewing menus can be a good starting point, the lack of consistency and predictability often makes this method more time-consuming and less reliable than other options.
2. Brand Venue Finders: Moderately Effective
Another way to uncover bars serving non-alcoholic drinks is by using the venue locators provided by certain non-alcoholic brands. These tools, available on their websites, allow you to identify bars and restaurants that feature their products.
Among the most comprehensive are those offered by Lucky Saint, a celebrated non-alcoholic lager brand, and Guinness 0.0, the alcohol-free version of the iconic stout. These finders can help you locate pubs and bars that pour these crowd-pleasing options, providing a reliable resource for venues prioritising alcohol-free beers.
In addition, some non-alcoholic spirit brands offer similar tools. For example, Seedlip, a pioneer in the non-alcoholic spirits market, features a locator showcasing establishments that serve their elegant botanical blends. Similarly, Lyre’s provides a tool to help you find venues incorporating their extensive range of non-alcoholic substitutes for classic spirits. Though, at the time of writing, neither are as effective as the beer versions described above.
These locators can be a convenient and focused resource, especially if you have a particular brand in mind. The venues listed often cater to guests seeking non-alcoholic options, indicating an elevated level of attention to their alcohol-free offerings.
However, there are notable limitations. These tools are brand-specific, meaning they’ll only highlight venues serving that particular product. While this increases the likelihood you’ll find options featuring your chosen brand, it also means you might miss out on other venues offering other exciting choices. This approach can give you a solid starting point but often lacks the comprehensiveness needed for a full exploration of the alcohol-free scene.
3. Lodown iOS App: The Most Effective Choice
Lodown, the NA drinks and venues finder, is a community-driven app designed to revolutionise how you discover non-alcoholic drinks at bars. The app empowers users to save and share information about venues, creating a growing directory of exciting no and low alcohol options. Here’s why it’s a game-changer:
- Comprehensive Listings: Instead of relying on a single brand, Lodown aggregates user-generated data, making it the most up-to-date and diverse resource.
- Community-Driven: Fellow enthusiasts contribute information about venues and drinks, removing reliance on incomplete websites and menus
- Ease of Use: The intuitive interface lets you quickly search by location or venue type, ensuring you find the perfect place for your night out.
Unlike traditional methods, Lodown is building a network of passionate individuals who value quality and variety of their non-alcoholic drinks. Its collaborative nature fosters a supportive community while addressing the frustrations of traditional search methods.