Hidden gem in Charlotte’s Oakhurst neighborhood where the menu is as creative as the food
January 22, 2024
Our favorite restaurants and bars for nonalcoholic drinks
Enjoy these spirit-free selections in Dry January and beyond
by Kristen Wile
Rosemont serves a spirit-free negroni. Kristen Wile/UP
Though nonalcoholic options are becoming more popular on menus across the city, in January, they’re more prominent as restaurants and bars around the city look to be more inclusive. Here are some of our favorite stop for nonalcoholic beverages.
Bar à Vins
The NoDa wine shop has a selection of non-alcoholic wine and beer on sale to enjoy at home or inside their Euro-inspired space.
Billy Sunday
A seasonal mocktail menu makes use of non-alcoholic spirits, with drinks including a non-alcoholic gin, lemon, rosemary, and pear drink called Nice Pear and a more savory Later ‘Mater, a drink inspired by the bloody Mary.
The Crunkleton
This Elizabeth bar is known for its cocktails and spirits collections, but also has a thoughtful collection of nonalcoholic drinks based on traditional ones, such as a negroni and painkiller.
Duke Mansion
Live music, an optional tour of this historic Charlotte landmark, nonalcoholic drinks, and charcuterie are part of Music & Mocktails at the Duke Mansion on Jan. 22. Tickets cost $40.
One of Link & Pin’s NA cocktail offerings is the Berry Lemon Drop. Photo courtesy
Link & Pin
A new selection of craft zero-proof cocktails comes in time for dry January, all inspired by traditional cocktails, including a berry lemon drop, pineapple thyme mule, and salted cucumber highball.
Lorem Ipsum
One of the best n/a drinks I’ve enjoyed is the “In Salted” from Lorem Ipsum, which nails sweet, savory, citrusy, and salty notes thanks to salted honey, ginger, rosemary, hibiscus, and lemon.
The Punch Room
One of Kel Minton’s goals when he took the reigns at this elite bar inside Uptown’s Ritz-Carlton was to devote significant space to nonalcoholic options. The Punch Room now boasts one of the city’s most diverse collection of NA spirits.
Rally Pickleball
Even if you’re not you’re taking to the court, the selection of food and drinks will draw you to this sports/dining combo space. Nonalcoholic drinks include a booze-free cosmopolitan and a sweet corn and coconut soda.
Restaurant Constance
This restaurant’s nonalcoholic beverage program is the most robust in the city, with thoughtfully crafted drinks that pair with its seasonal menu even beyond dry January.
Rosemont
Grab a phony negroni, one of the wine-focused restaurant’s three new spirit-free drinks, and enjoy a drink with the classic bitterness of a negroni without the ABV.
The Roaring Social
Join in a social outing that doesn’t feature alcohol, including classes and events such a sober trivia night, from this local group advocating for sober lifestyles.
Sea Level NC
Uptown seafood restaurant Sea Level’s “Free Spirits” section includes a rotating seasonal spritz, as well as a sparkling orange beverage and a colorful pineapple-hibiscus-lime drink.
Tommy’s Pub
One of the industry’s favorite bars has a surprising number of alcohol-free options, including booze-free tiki options.
