Now that 2023 has come and gone and maybe you celebrated with a little too much of the bubbly, or your favorite craft beer or flavor-filled cocktail, Dry January might be one of your New Year’s resolutions. You’re in luck because low-ABV and no-ABV offerings have become really popular, according to Food and Wine. So, whether you’re just taking part in Dry January or are already an avid mocktail muse, check out these 16 zero-proof bars and menus throughout PA.
1. Free Spirit
Buckingham
Recently featured in Eater Philadelphia as one of the top mocktail spots in the area, stop by Free Spirit to sip on a drink from their curated selection of alcohol-free options. Their made-to-order mocktails are simply delicious and almost impossible to tell from their alcohol-infused cousins. The Flying Frenchman, for example, is an espresso martini made with a house-made, non-alcoholic Kahlua alternative. Make your visit a full experience by signing up for a cocktail creation class or stop by during the weekend for a tasting session. Be sure to treat yourself or someone special to non-alcoholic goodies from their on-site bottle shop!
2. Altered State Distillery
Erie
In addition to its extensive selection of boozy craft cocktails, Erie’s Altered State Distillery offers some unique alcohol-free mocktails to enjoy whether temporarily pausing your consumption of alcoholic beverages or permanently pursuing a sober or sober-curious lifestyle. From their Chocolate Covered Cherry Coke to the Italian sodas made with house-made syrups or shrubs, you’ll want to grab a mocktail to pair with baked brie or charcuterie board from their small plates pairing menu.
3. Southern Cross Kitchen
Conshohocken
Featuring down-home southern classics, Southern Cross Kitchen is the spot to dig into some authentic comfort food to pair with a Montgomery County mocktail! With six different non-alcoholic cocktail choices ranging from virgin mules to pineapple no-jitos, this restaurant caters to practically all tastes. Pair your zero-proof drink with a homemade buttermilk biscuit or their southern-inspired cheesesteak.
4. City Works Restaurant and Bar
King of Prussia
With its open and inviting layout, industrial-chic decor, and lively bar area, City Works provides a backdrop for everything from casual lunches to celebratory dinners to late-night gatherings. Offering three different mocktail selections, sip on a Mellow Mule, Strawberry Soothe, or Peaceful Paloma while dining on their delicious menu selections!
5. Floating Feathers
Mill Hall
Located in the picturesque landscape of central Pennsylvania, Floating Feathers Brewery is aiming to revitalize the sleepy mountain town of Mill Hall with its alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink options. Although Floating Feathers is a brewery, they also craft some fantastic zero-proof root beer options. Drink as a root beer float with rich vanilla ice cream or enjoy as a beer substitute while still enjoying the ambiance of the brewery.
6. New Trail Brewing Company
Williamsport
Williamsport’s New Trail Brewing may be known for their beers, but their bar also can whip up some phenomenal mocktails. With a dedicated mocktail menu, many of their creations are crafted with handmade syrups made from local ingredients, such as their Blackberry Fiz mocktail featuring a blackberry puree and club soda. Non-alcoholic craft sodas from Otto's Pub & Brewery are also an option.
7. Shorty’s Pins & Pints
Pittsburgh
Experience the thrill of boozeless bowling at Shorty’s Pins x Pints on the North Shore of Pittsburgh. Their “free spirit” menu includes five tasty non-alcoholic options including Mock-aritas, Espressnos, and Fauxjitos, all containing liquor substitutes. Have a blast pin-dulging in a few drinks while throwing strikes with your friends and family.
8. Bar Botanico
Pittsburgh
Indulge in fantastic food and mocktails at Bar Botanico in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood. From their Cut Above Mezcal Sour to their Seedlip Highball, their zero-proof spirits ensure the preservation of the dry, bitter flavors often found in classic cocktails. Concoct the perfect night out recipe by pairing any of their drinks with the smoked onion dip or spiced Marcona almonds.
9. Recon Brewing
Butler, Cranberry, and South Fayette
Ask and you shall receive at any of Recon Brewing’s locations! Make any of their cocktails into the zero-proof drink of your dreams. You can request any of their iconic drinks, from the Cranberry Spritz to the Apple Bourbon Mule, without alcohol so you can still enjoy their satisfying sips during Dry January.
10. The Open Road
Pittsburgh
The Open Road has been elevating the non-alcoholic beverage scene in Pittsburgh since 2020. They take pride in curating an extensive collection of non-alcoholic drinks spanning beers, wines, and spirits ranging from 0 to 0.5 percent alcohol by volume. As Western PA’s primary resource and destination for all things in the emerging non-alcoholic beverage category, they offer a variety of selections, featuring everything from domestic favorites to craft IPAs. Stop by their brick-and-mortar store in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood or you can purchase your favorites online.
11. Revival Social Club
York
Located in downtown York, Revival Social Club makes mesmerizing mocktails so you can enjoy something fancy minus the alcohol. From the Fauxtini to The Sweet, made with apple shrub, lemon, and raw sugar soda, they have a zero-proof beverage to satisfy everything your palette and taste buds desire.
12. Deer Creek Malthouse
Suburban Philadelphia, multiple locations
As Pennsylvania’s first malthouse since Prohibition, Deer Creek Malthouse offers more than just local brews and malt products. Their Barley Tea is a perfect alternative to beer and contains a stateside twist to an age-old classic. This functional beverage is packed with nutritional benefits and is zero proof, zero caffeine, and made with craft malted grains. Keep your eyes peeled at farmers markets around eastern PA for their crafty cans or purchase online.
13. Terrain Café
Suburban Philadelphia, multiple locations
Whether dining at their Devon, Doylestown, or Glen Mills locations, Terrain Café encourages you to BYO so their spritzers can be enjoyed solo or with alcohol included. Leave the bubbly at home and sample their refreshing flavors, such as Gilded Sage made with blackberry sage shrub, elderflower syrup, lemon juice and club soda, or their Orange Tumeric Sunrise featuring a mix of orange and lemon juice, ground turmeric, coconut sugar, and rosemary.
14. Tutoni’s
York
Tutoni’s in York takes pride in making their menu items from scratch and with the utmost care- and that includes their extensive cocktail menu, which also includes a zero-proof section. Serving up punny beverages such as Peach Please and Me, Myself, and Chai, their selection of zero-proof offerings will let you pair the perfect alcohol-free beverage with your meal.
15. Spork
Pittsburgh
When visiting Spork in Pittsburgh, be sure to check out their “Temperance” cocktail menu to browse their beverages that contain 1% of alcohol or less. From sipping zero-proof Pinot Noir with their Clara in the Garden cocktail to feeling refreshed with their Red Right Hand cocktail made with red ribbon bitter lemon seltzer, there’s a non-alcoholic cocktail for any occasion to enjoy with their seasonally inspired dishes.
16. Volstead
Philadelphia
Vegan plates and zero-proof libations are at the heart and soul of one of Philadelphia’s must-visit restaurants. Opening in 2022, Volstead takes pride in their 100 percent vegan, full-service restaurant that employs those in recovery and returning from incarceration. Find a wide selection of zero-proof beverages on their menu ranging from a zero-proof City Wide to a St. Agrestis Negroni.
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