Booze-Free Bar Road Trip Across the USA 🚘

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Hey, friends. It’s been a while. Happy 2022! The last time we met “on the road,” we had just visited NA bottle shops on the west coast. We continue our trip, in no particular geographical order, with booze-free bars. It’s 100% virtual* (ugh COVID / this would cost a load of $$*) but it’s also 100% fun. Guaranteed.

🚘 ⚡️

This is Zero Proof Nation.

*Would love to make this happen IRL. Should we do a Kickstarter to fund the trip? Combine a YouTube channel with the magic? Comment below!

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Sans Bar
Austin, TX

📸 V. Quintero

Chris Marshall started the booze free bar movement. A former counselor for people with substance use disorder, Marshall started Sans Bar as a one-night pop-up in Austin, TX in December 2017 as a direct response to providing options for his clients, as well as himself (Chris just celebrated 15 years of sobriety). What started as a one-night pop-up turned into an every Friday happening and then national/international pop-up tours. He is The Godfather, the grandfather, the Papa of this new wave of zero proof / no-low, alcohol-free / sober bars cropping up left and right. If you’re ever in Austin on a Friday night, visit the OG.

IG: @sans_bar // thesansbar.com

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Listen Bar
New York, NY

Listen Bar, founded by Lorelei Bandrovschi, is 100% virtual now (but as we can tell you, being 100% virtual is still 100% awesome). COVID may have been the cause of the pivot but from the looks of the cocktail classes, live events/workshops, and booze-free bottle shop, things are pretty bangin’ over at Listen Bar.

IG: @listenbar// listen.bar

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Ocean Beach Cafe
San Francisco, CA

Owner Joshua James (aka Josh the Non-Alcoholic) is on a mission to change the world. After a 20 year career in hospitality, Josh took a break from the drinking culture and with this came mental clarity, ambition and drive. He used his experience, taste, and mindset to create Ocean Beach Cafe: a booming cafe, NA bottle shop, alcohol-free tasting tasting menu (SOBAR), and booze-free event space by the ocean.

IG: @ocean.beach.cafe // oceanbeachcafe.com

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Umbrella Dry Drinks
Alexandria, VA

Remember what we said about Sans Bar being the grandpa of booze-free bars? Sam Kasten, CEO and founder of Umbrella Dry Drinks, is a graduate of Chris Marshall’s Sans Bar Academy workshops. Armed with a background in retail, three years of sobriety, and a bubbly personality and can-do attitude, Kasten launched Umbrella Dry Drinks as a month-long pop-up in Alexandria, VA (suburb of the DC metro area) and hopes to find a forever home for the concept soon.

IG: @umbrelladrydrinks // umbrelladrydrinks.com

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Wildcrafters
Jacksonville, FL

Wildcrafters is one of the first booze-free bars after Sans Bar to hit the map. Founder Yhang Quintero launched his tea / kava / zero proof concept in January 2020. Pop by for a jazz night, grab a gorgeous cocktail or hot beverage, or grab a can of NA beer to-go — but whatever you choose, you’ll find community, beautiful drinks, and a stunning atmosphere.

IG: @wildcraftersjax

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Gem Bar
Pittman, NJ

Gem Life Collective, the parent company of Gem’s bar and bottle shop (called a bartique), is all about wellbeing, soulful bliss, and delicious AF drinks. Founder Drew Davis is fabulous and on a mission to meet her customer base where they’re at on their healing and wellness journeys. As Liz Lemon would say, I want to go to there!

IG: @boozefreebar // gemlifecollective.com

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Alt Bar
Rochester, NY

Co-founders Bob and Meg Hartman are all about the #sobrietyspectrum and want their space in Rochester, NY to provide options for people who want a social experience sans booze. Currently a pop-up (don’t miss Alt Bar at Pub Hub Coffee on February 25th), expect all the fun and noise-level you’d get at a traditional bar with none of the hangovers.

IG: @altbarroc // altbarroc.com

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Bendición Dry Bar
Chicago, IL

Another Sans Bar Academy graduate, founder Cristina Torres brings a punk-rock vibe to her pop-up concept. Aiming to be a place for anyone taking a break from booze (whether for a night, a month, or life), Bendición Dry Bar takes an important stand: “While [we are] a safe sober space for all seeking one, we do not tolerate any forms of racism, anti-blackess, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, any forms of sexual assault or any forms of violence. Marginalized communities will always take priority.”

IG: @bendicion_drybar // bendicionbar.com

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Binge Bar
Washington, DC

📸 Tony Powell

Come as you are…and leave as you are. That’s Binge Bar’s promise. Opening a permanent spot in spring 2022, founder Gigi Arandid popped up in 2021 in the Union Market area of Washington, DC and has collaborated with local purveyors of wellness (including me…hi, Gigi!) and shared her recipes in magazines like District Fray. Get excited for ambience-elevating elements like live music and artwork by local creatives in addition to healthy lite bites and gorgeously crafted zero proof cocktails. The DC community is ready!

IG: @bingebardc

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The Nixer
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix has a dry bar and it’s not a hair salon ;) The Nixer is a pop-up bar experience, and mobile NA bottle shop serving the Phoenix area (note: not online DTC). “The Nixer was created specifically for the mindful drinker, health-concious, sober-curious and sober. It's a place for those of us who aren't looking to participate in alcohol consumption - whether it be for today or permanently - to socialize and enjoy a kick-ass cocktail without the pressures of alcohol.” I’m leaving on a jetplane…and on my way to The Nixer. ✈️

IG: @thenixer // thenixer.com

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Inmoxicated
Racine, WI

This bottle shop, tasting room, and private party purveyor in Southeastern Wisconsin livens up the Midwest with exciting zero-proof options. As founder/owner Shannon Goodman says, “I’m an alcohol-free human Iiving in the drunkest state in the USA (Wisconsin.” To her we say, GET IT — and thank you for providing Wisconsinites alcohol-free beverages for whatever reason they’re not drinking.

IG: @inmoxicated // inmoxicated.com

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Rock Bottom
Salida, CO

Rock Bottom in Salida, CO is known affectionately in its community as the “Sober Salida Bar.” Rock Bottom does pop ups, caters events (pre-batched + NA/AF drink coolers), and collaborates with local coffee shops in providing syrups for specialty drinks, etc. As founder Beck Cerón said in an IG caption about fresh syrups in reused bottles: “Using recycled material that once had booze in them, just like myself.” We feel this 💯.

IG: @sober.salida.bar

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Sobar
Ellicott City, MD

If you’re counting, this is the second time Sobar makes the list. But this time, we travel to Ellicott City, Maryland (outside of Baltimore). “The mission of Sobar is to encourage choice in how we celebrate by providing healthy, sophisticated non-alcoholic beverages to consumers and offering alcohol-free bars and events.” Founder Beth Harbinson is a woman in recovery and gives back to her community; she sits on Howard County’s Opioid Community Crisis Council. Look for Sobar at community events or order zero proof cocktail boxes to-go.

IG: @sober_usa // drinksobar.org

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Sans Bar STL
St. Louis, MO

Sans Bar STL is an official collaboration between Sans Bar and PreventEd, a harm reduction non-profit helping lead the conversation on alcohol and other drugs. Annie O’Donoghue, external affairs strategist at PreventEd, is the brains behind the drinks, programming, and inclusive vibe at Sans Bar STL. Catering, events, zero proof cocktail recipes, merch, community: shaken, not slurred.

IG: @sansbarstl // sansbarstl.com

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soBAR
Ocean City, NJ

soBAR makes the list for the third time! This popular mash-up combines “sober” and “bar” so it’s no wonder why it’s such a good fit for an alcohol-free bar. “When you take away the alcohol, what's left is the conversation. We organize parties and live events at various locations in the southern New Jersey area, allowing people the opportunity to be social and have fun, without alcohol.” If you’re in NJ, make sure to follow to see when soBAR is popping up next.

IG: @sobarnj // sobar.info

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Prazbar
Chicago, IL

Pronounced “praise,” Prazbar is proudly not a juice bar. Serving Chicago, Quenjana Adams’ Prazbar is a tasting room and NA bottle shop (stop by in person or get local delivery), and the first Sunday of every month is a booze-free bar experience. “Prāzbar is here in support of all the reasons you're alcohol-free including faith, culture, health, parenting, sobriety or just cause!” We are so here for that!

IG: @notajuicebar // prazbar.com

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