The 10 Best Alcohol-free Bars, Pop-ups, and Bottle Shops in NYC

“Dry January” is fast becoming a year-round practice for many people. And the eateries and bars in many of our favorite cities are heeding the call, with creative new alcohol-free cocktails, beers and wine. If you live in New York or plan to visit soon, have a look at our edit of  the best new alcohol-free bars, pop-ups, and bottle shops in NYC. Hitting one of more of these alcohol-free spots in your next NYC bar crawl is sure to make your sober-curious journey a lot tastier. And a lot more fun.

How hard is it to find alcohol-free fun in New York City?

Though “dry” January may be behind us, many people are still intrigued by the notion of an alcohol-free lifestyle. Or to use the preferred expression, they’re “sober-curious.”

After all, you don’t need to have a problem with booze to recognize that it may not always be the best for you. In fact, all you need is the memory of one crushing hangover. And though of course there’s nothing wrong with drinking in moderation, many of us are looking to cut back. To imagine what our social lives might look like without the aid of a wine glass, or the buzz from our favorite cocktail.

you can be alcohol-free in NYC

Perhaps because of this sudden rise in sober-curiosity, New York City has been treated to an influx of sober and sober-adjacent establishments. Whether you’re looking for a night out that doesn’t include alcohol, or a way to host your own booze-free bash, you finally have somewhere to turn.

These ten alcohol-free bars, pop-ups, and bottle shops are here to make your sober-curious journey through NYC at night much easier. And more delicious!

10 best alcohol-free bars, pop-ups, and bottle shops in NYC

1. Hekate Bar & Elixir Lounge

The fabulous Hekate Bar & Elixir Lounge has taken the city by storm. In fact, it served as the inspiration for this post! The East Village spot is the first true sober bar in New York. And boy, have they set a high bar (no pun intended).

Hekate is named for Hecate – the goddess of magic – and definitely lives up to its namesake. As well as an extensive menu of teas, coffees, sodas, and “curious elixirs.”  You can expect drinks like a margarita, a pina colada, and a spritz, and though it does not need repeating – there’s no alcohol involved. And if you’re more of a beer drinker, they’ve got a long list of 0 ABV beers for you to try.  If you’re looking for a fun, alcohol-free night on the town – this should be your go-to.

2. Getaway Bar

Though Getaway is currently taking a break while they play host to The Blue Light Speak Cheesy, the Greenpoint spot was Brooklyn’s first alcohol-free bar back in 2019. We hope at some point they return to their stellar menu of zero proof beers, sodas, coffees, and mocktails. Brooklyn was lucky to have this great place, and we’re looking forward to the day they come back to us.

3. Listen Bar

“All bar, no booze.” That’s the slogan at Listen Bar, a series of alcohol-free pop-ups that started in New York. These events are exactly what they sound like: a special place to hang with friends, meet new people, and dance your troubles away – totally sober, of course. Sign up to be on call for the next event, and in the meantime, you can enroll in one of their excellent mocktail classes, or order one of their zero proof liquors to try at home.

4. Absence of Proof

Absence of Proof is another pop-up series that specializes in booze-free events. They started in 2022, when the founder’s own sober-curious experiences sent her searching for alcohol-free events in New York – and not finding nearly enough of them. Their events are regularly scheduled, and not limited to New York – if you live in Los Angeles, Detroit, or Seattle, you get to join in the fun – and they also have a well-stocked sober bottle shop online.  Looking for some sober fun this month? Check out their upcoming New York events on April 20^th and 23^rd.

5. Ambrosia Elixirs

The next time you’re hosting a major event, consider booking Ambrosia Elixirs. Devoted to promoting the relationship between humans and plants, Ambrosia creates unique experiences that just happen to be alcohol-free. But really, their botanical elixirs are one-of-a-kind, and bound to change the way you think about what you drink. Give them a try.

6. Spirited Away Booze Free Bottle Shop

Of course, you also may be interested in making some sober cocktails yourself. Once upon a time, that might have been a challenge – how to serve interesting drinks that don’t contain any alcohol? – but with our current surplus of sober liquors, beers, and wines, it’s become a fun and easy task. Meet Spirited Away, America’s very first booze free bottle shop. They sell non-alcoholic beers, wines, and spirits, and their selection is so impressive – so vast, and so delicious – that it will have you questioning whether you even need alcohol in your life after all. With more than 100 brands in stock, their selection is worth a perusal – whether you’re sober-curious, or just curious.

7. Minus Moonshine

If you’re wondering what the minus means – it means, minus the hangover. Tucked into a sunny street corner off Prospect Heights’ Washington Avenue, Minus Moonshine calls their store a “magical land of beverages and potions for adults.” All their beers, wines, spirits, and cocktails are completely nonalcoholic, and they also offer bitters, syrups, shrubs, seltzers, and sodas. And you know what that means – this can be your one-stop-shop for any mocktails you’re making this summer. If you’re new to the sober-curious life, stop by and let someone advise you in your booze-free shopping.

8. Boisson

With locations in both New York and California, Boisson understands that there are many unexpected benefits to the non-alcoholic beverages they’re selling. For instance, their festival bundle is designed to keep you hydrated as you dance your way through all the summer music fests – and how many bottles of booze can say that? You’ll look as cool as anyone else, and you’ll feel two hundred times better. It’s a win-win. There are wines, spirits, aperitifs, beers, ciders for sale, so parse through Boisson’s many top brands, and see what strikes your fancy.

9. No & Low

If you’re not in New York, but you’re still hoping to step into the world of non-alcoholic wonders, check out No & Low. They’re an online retailer for booze-free wines and spirits, and their enticing offerings are further proof that we don’t need alcohol to keep life exciting – and in fact, we may be better off with less of it.

10. Daybreakers

Of course, it’s not only about what you’re drinking – we know that. So many of us rely on alcohol to let loose, have fun, and enjoy the company on strangers; and you may be worried that giving up alcohol means giving up all those things. Well, have you ever been to Daybreakers?

We are thrilled to report that these alcohol-free, early morning raves are as spectacular now as they were when they first began – in 2013. And you don’t need to be in New York to give them a try, since Daybreakers hosts events across five continents.

Each rave is a little different – you can find out more about the individual events online – but they will all leave you feeling confident that a fun-filled, sober life is totally possible. Get ready to dance your heart out, and have one of the best days of your life.

best alcohol-free bars, pop-ups, and bottle shops in nyc

That’s our edit of the best places to go in NYC for a night out at alcohol-free bars, pop-ups and bottle shops. Sober-curious, on the wagon, pregnant, whatever – if you’re looking for delicious mocktails and other zero alcohol options, you’ve come to the right city.