The best spots in New York City for non-alcoholic cocktails (or mocktails)
Cocktails are great. Cocktail bars are great. I love nothing more than sitting in a dimly lit room, sipping on a delicious drink, maybe nibbling on some food, and enjoying the atmosphere. Heck, I named this business Third Place Bar because I love bars so freaking much, they’re basically a second home for me. But - I also stopped drinking over a year ago (because it helps keep the crazy in check) and I often get a sense of FOMO and nostalgia when thinking about all the wonderful bar moments I’m missing out on.
Luckily, many bars are catching on to the fact that there are more people like me who like to hang out at bars, sip on drinks, and - most importantly - spend money, just without the liquor. And while, to be completely honest, most bars are still making baby steps and putting maybe one somewhat decent option on the menu, some bars stand out by offering several excellent and thoughtful non-alcoholic craft cocktails.
In this post, I’ll cover some of my favorite spots for non-alcoholic cocktails (or, “mocktails”) in New York City. The choices are obviously totally subjective, but mostly based around whether there are multiple NA options, whether they use sophisticated ingredients such as non-alcoholic spirits (having multiple permutations of juices does not count), whether I generally like the vibe, and whether they have food. Personally, when not drinking alcohol, I prefer to have some bites with my drink to round out the experience.
Non-alcoholic cocktail options at Beyond the Pale in Soho
These are the bars in no particular order - I’m mostly just grouping them somewhat geographically.
Hekate, East Village: Of course, as the first of only two fully non-alcoholic bars in New York City, Hekate gets the first mention. What can I say, their entire menu is alcohol-free cocktails, alongside beer, and functional ready-to-drink cocktails containing adaptogens and CBD. The vibe is very much casual neighborhood bar.
Hilot, East Village: This gorgeous and plush 70s style cocktail bar offers several excellent sophisticated non-alcoholic options, and the bar staff are absolute gems. The bar doesn’t serve food, but there are plenty of good options on Avenue C. Excellent date spot.
Please Don’t Tell, East Village: This East Village speakeasy is an institution, and I’m so happy they offer at least three or four very different non-alcoholic options that are all great. Plus you can get hot dogs and fries from Crif Dogs next door delivered to your seat.
Rent Money Lounge, Lower East Side: RML is “the other” fully non-alcoholic bar in the city that also doubles as a coffee shop during the day. Again, their entire menu is non-alcoholic, and includes cocktails, beer, wine, and functional drinks with CBD as well as THC. (As an aside, they have a ton of events on that are worth checking out).
Swan Room, Lower East Side: One of the most gorgeous bars in the city. They have three non-alcoholic cocktail options (the “Grapefruit Moon” is probably one of my favorite non-alc drinks I’ve had!) as well as a small food menu. Yes, it’s hella pricey, but hey, it’s Treat Yourself Tuesday every day when you’re not drinking.
The Tyger, Soho: Okay, the Tyger is mostly a restaurant, but its clubby vibes and bar seating honestly make it feel like a bar to me. They have three excellent non-alcoholic options on the menu using ingredients such as Pentire and Seedlip spirits, and their food is delightful. Great date spot, if you ask me. This would probably be my go-to recommendation!
Beyond the Pale, Soho: BTP is an after-work pub type of bar that offers a small food menu and several non-alc cocktail options, including the popular St Agrestis Phony Negroni. I’m still not entirely sure about the vibe (loud house music at 8pm on a Wednesday in a half empty bar is… a choice for sure), but the drinks are solid, hands down.
Scarlet Lounge, Upper West Side: Scarlet Lounge is a brand new upscale cocktail bar by actor Michael Imperioli that starts out strong with several non-alcoholic options right out of the gate. They also offer a menu of small plates. Disclaimer: I haven’t been there yet, but it looks excellent!
Leyenda, Cobble Hill: This buzzy pan-Latin restaurant and bar serves up several different non-alcoholic cocktail options alongside an extensive food menu. I liked everything I had there, hands down!
Dynaco, Bed Stuy: Dynaco is a cozy neighborhood bar in Bed Stuy with a surprisingly extensive non-alc menu that dives deep into some of the more obscure non-alcoholic spirits. It’s cash only and there’s no food (only cake?), but the fireplace makes up for it!
Sunday in Brooklyn, Williamsburg: This is a popular brunch spot, but it’s open late for dinner, has bar seating, several great non-alcoholic options, and delicious food, so it goes on the list!
Cocktails at The Tyger
Honorary mentions & Shoutouts
This is a list of bars and restaurants that I really like, but that don’t 100% check all the boxes or wouldn’t be my go-to recommendations. (Yes, this article is entirely subjective, you just have to trust me :)
Honorary mention: Modern Love, Williamsburg: Yes, Modern Love is a vegan comfort food restaurant. It’s probably the least “let’s grab a drink” kind of place on this list, but 1. their food (including apps and sharers such as the nachos) is BOMB and 2. I did a non-alcoholic cocktail pop-up there in October 2023 and they continued to work with non-alcoholic spirits and maintain an excellent non-alc drinks menu. I just have to give them a shoutout.
Bonus mention: Martiny’s, Gramercy: Okay, I have to be honest, their non-alc options are… fine. The last time I went, the menu didn’t even list non-alcoholic cocktails, but they have some Seedlip they can make a decent drink with. But the food, OHHH, the food! And the vibe! I will gladly come back and inhale every single item on the food menu while sipping on an okay-ish drink and watching the bartenders do their thing. Update January 2024: I heard that Martiny’s are doubling down on their NA menu - stay tuned!
More shoutouts:
Lobby Bar at Hotel Chelsea, Chelsea: Two NA options using Everleaf NA spirits, beautiful vibes, food. Excellent date spot!
Superbueno, East Village: The NA mole negroni is wonderful, food is great, and it’s a PARTY if you come on the later side.
Dromedary Bar, Bushwick: This quirky tiki bar in Bushwick would usually be on the list for its extensive and FUN non-alc cocktail menu, but they’re currently (as of January 2024) renovating and will re-open under new ownership - I assume they’ll keep the NA menu, but tbd!
Talea, multiple locations: I have to give Talea a shoutout. Yes, it’s “just” beer, but they always have NA options on draft, and during Dry January they even offer an entire non-alc beer flight! And they’re hosting our non-alcoholic beer tasting and cocktail classes this January - check here for details!
Screenshot of the Mocktailquest website (not an ad ;)
Maps & Apps
And finally - big shoutouts to all the people curating apps and maps to find good non-alc options all over the country! My favorites are:
Mocktailquest: A curated map of good NA options at bars and restaurants
BuzzCut: A mobile app that helps you find NA options at bars, shops, restaurants
And that’s it! If you have any suggestions, feel free to email me or DM me on Instagram.
And finally: Join our Dry January events in New York City! Whether you’re sober curious or just taking a night off from drinking, we welcome everyone who wants to socialize without alcohol. See our event listings for details!
