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| Devoción Tonic at The NoMad Los Angeles |
So why not just order a soda or a Shirley Temple you ask? The same allure of a well-made cocktail is just as interesting on the palate for those who’d rather have it without alcohol. Not to mention the mix of ingredients in No-ABV cocktails aren't just soda and sugar but combinations of freshly squeezed juices, and often with non-alcoholic spirits like Seedlip and Lyres.
While some people are recovering from alcohol addiction, there is a large community that is abstaining from drinking for a healthier lifestyle. And since bars have always been a place to mingle and socialize, what a great way to be more inclusive!
So whether you’re sober, tired of endless coffee dates, or you’ve been wanting to drag out that friend doesn’t drink, now you can pick from our list of top places that make it easy to dress up and go out for a booze-free night on the town.
The NoMad
The gorgeous Giannini Bar is located on the first floor of The NoMad Hotel in Downtown LA (649 S Olive St, Los Angeles 90014). This historic lobby bar is not just for hotel guests - anyone in the community is welcome. With parallels between LA and their NY location, they integrated exceptional herbs and citrus ingredients from local farmers markets giving back what LA has to offer. Look for the "Soft Cocktail" section of their menu and pick from one of four non-alcoholic cocktails. The Devoción Tonic is a delicious mix of cold brew coffee, grapefruit, lemon, vanilla and tonic.
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| NWA cocktail with Seedlip Garden at Otium | Photo: Daniel Djang |
Otium
An outdoor mezzanine and fresh herb garden give Otium (222 S. Hope St, Los Angeles 90012) a wonderful blend of nature and modern architecture that is rustic yet sophisticated. Find the NWA (“Nothing With Alcohol") section on their "Once Upon a Time in Los Angeles" menu and choose from three non-alcoholic drinks like Seedlip Garden 108 with Genmaicha Tea, cucumber, lime, and sparkling water. Enjoy a leisurely day of NWA cocktails and world-class contemporary art at The Broad museum a stone's throw away.
An outdoor mezzanine and fresh herb garden give Otium (222 S. Hope St, Los Angeles 90012) a wonderful blend of nature and modern architecture that is rustic yet sophisticated. Find the NWA (“Nothing With Alcohol") section on their "Once Upon a Time in Los Angeles" menu and choose from three non-alcoholic drinks like Seedlip Garden 108 with Genmaicha Tea, cucumber, lime, and sparkling water. Enjoy a leisurely day of NWA cocktails and world-class contemporary art at The Broad museum a stone's throw away.
Redbird
Redbird (114 E 2nd St, Los Angeles 90012) is carved into Vibiana, one of the city's most historic architectural gems. The ambiance at this restaurant and bar is extraordinary, with multiple seating areas including an open air patio, indoor lounge, and bar.
Choose from four No-ABV cocktails on the menu that use Seedlip, non-alcoholic verjus (the unfermented juice of unripened wine grapes), and other intriguing ingredients including barrel-aged bitters and housemade tonic. The God Save the Queen is made with Seedlip Spice 94, verjus rouge, Sanpellegrino Chinotto, Fee Brothers Barrel-Aged Bitters, and lemon.
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| Buko Gimlet at Death & Co | Photo: @thirstyinla, Instagram |
Death & Co
The Downtown LA Arts District is booming with restaurants and bars, so I’m happy to put Death & Co (810 E 3rd St, Los Angeles 90013) on the list with five No-ABV cocktails on their menu. Head underground to the hostess stand to be seated in their dark and intimate lounge, which is reminiscent of their original New York space. I was a big fan of the Buko Gimlet made with Seedlip non-alcoholic spirits. Look for the key at the bottom of the menu - any drink with a red circle and a line through it can be made No-ABV. Seating is on a first come, first served basis so if there isn’t room put your name on the list and grab a quick homemade grapefruit soda at the adjacent Standing Room bar.
The Downtown LA Arts District is booming with restaurants and bars, so I’m happy to put Death & Co (810 E 3rd St, Los Angeles 90013) on the list with five No-ABV cocktails on their menu. Head underground to the hostess stand to be seated in their dark and intimate lounge, which is reminiscent of their original New York space. I was a big fan of the Buko Gimlet made with Seedlip non-alcoholic spirits. Look for the key at the bottom of the menu - any drink with a red circle and a line through it can be made No-ABV. Seating is on a first come, first served basis so if there isn’t room put your name on the list and grab a quick homemade grapefruit soda at the adjacent Standing Room bar.
Apotheke
If you have an eye for interior design you’ll appreciate Apotheke (1746 N. Spring St, Los Angeles 90012), a visually stunning cocktail lounge located in Chinatown. Four No-ABV drinks are listed as "Spiritless Tonics" on their menu - ingredients are house made daily using organic produce, herbs and botanicals. Enjoy the Anti-Oxidant with acai, blueberry, blackberry, maqui berry, tart cherry, baobab, lime and cilantro. Now that’s a cocktail worthy of sipping under a chandelier!
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| Cafe Birdie |
Cafe Birdie
With a summertime vibe and French bistro tables, the quaint Cafe Birdie (5631 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles 90042) is an adorable setting for any occasion. Find a couple of drink options under the section labeled Non Alcoholic cocktails. Like Redbird, they use non-alcoholic verjus - the "No1." is made with verjus blanc, orange, lemon, orgeat, and tonic.
Genever
A friendly and intimate lounge located in Historic Filipinotown, Genever (3123 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles 90057) tops our list with six alcohol-free cocktails. All of the cocktails on the current menu are named after films that feature women - director, producer, actress, or documentary subjects. Drinks listed with a diamond next to them can be made into mocktails. The best part is that all these alcohol-free drinks come in at half the price! Try the Atlantique, a refreshing combination of pineapple, fresh celery juice, and lime.
Big Bar
One of my favorite bars, Big Bar is located inside Alcove Cafe & Bakery in Los Feliz (1929 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles 90027). A marble countertop and dark wood set the vibe to an intimate Old World look with French doors that let in a cross breeze on summer days and give the feeling of being on vacation. Their current menu features three NA (non-alcoholic) cocktails. Choose from the Tropic Thunder, Garden Delight or Pinkies Out - made with Seedlip Grove 42, chamomile, citrus and Q Grapefruit. You can stay nestled inside or wander out into the garden-like courtyard with plenty of seating.
Providence
As a fine dining experience, Providence (5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles 90038) is a two Michelin-starred restaurant first, but the bar is a well-kept secret second. Bar manager Kim Stodel took over five years ago and noticed many diners weren’t drinking alcohol. Being in the hospitality business, he felt it was important to include and celebrate those that choose not to imbibe. You’ll find an ever-changing rotation of No-ABV drinks to go with the hyper-seasonal menu.
Picking from his amazing pantry of fresh ingredients, there are four drinks under the section "if you don't partake…". The Pomaceous, made with Seedlip Spice, Asian pear, citrus and chamomile, is served on the rocks and garnished with a square pear crisp. While they take reservations weeks in advance for the restaurant, the bar is open to anyone and everyone looking for some of the best bar food and cocktails in town.
With a summertime vibe and French bistro tables, the quaint Cafe Birdie (5631 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles 90042) is an adorable setting for any occasion. Find a couple of drink options under the section labeled Non Alcoholic cocktails. Like Redbird, they use non-alcoholic verjus - the "No1." is made with verjus blanc, orange, lemon, orgeat, and tonic.
Genever
A friendly and intimate lounge located in Historic Filipinotown, Genever (3123 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles 90057) tops our list with six alcohol-free cocktails. All of the cocktails on the current menu are named after films that feature women - director, producer, actress, or documentary subjects. Drinks listed with a diamond next to them can be made into mocktails. The best part is that all these alcohol-free drinks come in at half the price! Try the Atlantique, a refreshing combination of pineapple, fresh celery juice, and lime.
Big Bar
One of my favorite bars, Big Bar is located inside Alcove Cafe & Bakery in Los Feliz (1929 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles 90027). A marble countertop and dark wood set the vibe to an intimate Old World look with French doors that let in a cross breeze on summer days and give the feeling of being on vacation. Their current menu features three NA (non-alcoholic) cocktails. Choose from the Tropic Thunder, Garden Delight or Pinkies Out - made with Seedlip Grove 42, chamomile, citrus and Q Grapefruit. You can stay nestled inside or wander out into the garden-like courtyard with plenty of seating.
Providence
As a fine dining experience, Providence (5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles 90038) is a two Michelin-starred restaurant first, but the bar is a well-kept secret second. Bar manager Kim Stodel took over five years ago and noticed many diners weren’t drinking alcohol. Being in the hospitality business, he felt it was important to include and celebrate those that choose not to imbibe. You’ll find an ever-changing rotation of No-ABV drinks to go with the hyper-seasonal menu.
Picking from his amazing pantry of fresh ingredients, there are four drinks under the section "if you don't partake…". The Pomaceous, made with Seedlip Spice, Asian pear, citrus and chamomile, is served on the rocks and garnished with a square pear crisp. While they take reservations weeks in advance for the restaurant, the bar is open to anyone and everyone looking for some of the best bar food and cocktails in town.
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| Photo: Scum & Villainy Cantina, Facebook |
Scum & Villainy Cantina
A Star Wars themed bar located in the heart of Hollywood, Scum & Villainy Cantina (6377 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles 90028) is not only wonderfully geeky but also wonderfully progressive with a whole mocktail section on the menu! No need to ask to omit the booze, just say the name of one of the three cleverly named drink options and they’ll take care of you.
A Star Wars themed bar located in the heart of Hollywood, Scum & Villainy Cantina (6377 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles 90028) is not only wonderfully geeky but also wonderfully progressive with a whole mocktail section on the menu! No need to ask to omit the booze, just say the name of one of the three cleverly named drink options and they’ll take care of you.
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| Photo: The Bourbon Room, Facebook |
The Bourbon Room
At this immersive dinner theater experience in the heart of Hollywood, I was happy to stumble upon the menu at The Bourbon Room (6356 Hollywood Blvd 2nd Fl, Los Angeles 90028) with its dedicated non-alcoholic and Trimino mocktails section! Choose from three drinks: “Frankie Goes to Hollywood”, “Heaven” or “Just Like Paradise” and enjoy the current 80s rock musical Rock of Ages, or just hang out in the classy upstairs lounge adjacent to the show.
At this immersive dinner theater experience in the heart of Hollywood, I was happy to stumble upon the menu at The Bourbon Room (6356 Hollywood Blvd 2nd Fl, Los Angeles 90028) with its dedicated non-alcoholic and Trimino mocktails section! Choose from three drinks: “Frankie Goes to Hollywood”, “Heaven” or “Just Like Paradise” and enjoy the current 80s rock musical Rock of Ages, or just hang out in the classy upstairs lounge adjacent to the show.
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