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Non-alcoholic, zero-proof, mocktail—whatever term you choose, today’s drinks devoid of alcohol are entirely different from the sugar-laden concoctions of cocktail menus past.
Take it from me: I embarked on my voyage into full-fledged sobriety nearly six years ago, my past a haze of covering black-tie galas, parties, and the social scene while working at a luxury publication in New York. Even if I was in the headspace to get sober during that period, there were few non-alcoholic options besides juice, soda, and iced tea—nothing glamorous, and certainly nothing served in whimsical glassware with poached miniature pears perched on the rim.
This is the coming of age for non-alcoholic drinks, which are now omnipresent in the city that never sleeps—oozing with sophistication and thoughtfully sourced ingredients that rival their boozy counterparts. When I say they are everywhere, I mean secret library bars serving frothy zero-proof white cosmopolitans, historic banks with pink marble offering passionfruit spicy mule tipples, and the painted murals of that iconic piano bar with an entire page dedicated to zero-proof options. Simply put, NA drinks are a full-on movement, and they aren’t going anywhere.
And it’s not just a NYC trend, either. A recent report from Nielsen NIQ 2024 shows that non-alcoholic is the fastest-growing category of beverage, with sales of non-alcoholic beer, wine, and liquor increasing by 31%, while total alcohol sales grew by just 1%. Heidi Dillon, CEO of Distill Ventures, an accelerator backed by Diageo that provides investments and support for spirits startups and founders adds, “Gone is the ’mocktail’ of old, in is the ‘non-alcoholic’ or ‘zero proof’ cocktail as a plethora of new brand founders introduces spirit-less beverage brands that allow for a wide range of flavor profiles, expanded occasions, and functionality.”
Below, as a New Yorker who proudly identifies as Sober Glamorous—living a celebratory lifestyle without alcohol—a list of my favorite bars serving non-alcoholic drinks in the concrete jungle where dreams are made of.
Swan Room
Nine Orchard, 54 Canal St, New York, NY 10002
For the Neo-Renaissance aesthete, this is your spot for zero-proof indulgence. Swan Room, the cocktail bar at Nine Orchard—part of the esteemed Leading Hotels of the World—boasts a swanky atmosphere filled with inventive non-alcoholic options and tasty bites for a fancy night out minus the booze. Housed in a converted century-old bank lobby, the inside is all vaulted ceilings, dim lighting, and pink Tennessee marble walls, the perfect backdrop for modern decadence (the Loulou Belle oysters and Kaluga caviar service beckon). For the drinks, don’t miss their most-loved, the Chinola Mule, a tart and spicy concoction of fresh passionfruit, zesty lime, and spicy ginger soda, all expertly crafted with NA Almave Blanco. Citrus enthusiasts will revel in the newest addition to the NA menu, Citrus Solstice, an elevated blend of Aplos arise, mandarin, and bergamot balanced with lime and a touch of chili for a spicy kick.
King Cole Bar
The St. Regis New York, Two East 55th Street
A New York City classic where tourists, tastemakers, and business moguls mingle beneath the 1906 Maxfield Parrish mural of “Old King Cole,” the King Cole Bar at The St. Regis New York has a timeless charm. Surprisingly, while the ambiance feels like you could be in any decade, their non-alcoholic lineup is refreshingly modern. To kick things off, there’s a zero-proof take on the bar’s signature drink: the Virgin Red Snapper, or as it s more commonly known, the Bloody Mary, originally developed here in 1934 by bartender Fernand Petiot. This rendition remains true to its roots, a zesty fusion of lemony tomato spice—every bit as delicious and legendary as its alcoholic counterpart. If you have a penchant for sweeter drinks, the non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz is a sparkling goblet of minty, elderflower deliciousness, while The Great Gatsby is served with gingerbeer, cranberry, and cinnamon in a concoction that a reformed East Egg socialite would surely appreciate.
Hawksmoor
109 East 22nd Street, NY, NY
Born in London, Hawksmoor landed in NYC in 2021, embodying everything one would imagine from a handsome steakhouse—vaulted ceilings, emerald leather, and an impressive 35-seat bar. Unexpectedly, however, it’s also a non-alcoholic devotee’s dream—their cocktail menu boasts over seven options. While patrons will be ordering the renowned martini and TikTok famous ‘The Notorious B.E.E.F’ burger, my favorite drink here sounds like a sinfully wellness-oriented contrast, The Green Juice. This freshly pressed and chilled green drink is more like a treat than what you’re picking up at your local juice spot: it’s zesty and refreshing, with basil, bell pepper, cucumber, yuzu, lemon, and Seedlip Spice. Another must is the Pearnicillin—adorned with a miniature poached pear on the rim, this brightly flavored blend of Feragaia, pear ginger shrub, lemon, and ginger ale. If you’re always drawn to a shandy, try the semifrozen Steady Pete served in a chilled mug made with fresh ginger, lemon, Seedlip Spice, and Athletic Brewing Run Wild Non-Alcoholic Beer.
The Portrait Bar
The Fifth Avenue Hotel, 1 West 28th Street
Portraits upon portraits and sumptuous velvet seating that invites you to sink in and never leave—welcome to The Portrait Bar, nestled in The Fifth Avenue Hotel. The cozy yet luxe ambiance, designed by Martin Brudnizki, is like stepping into the family room of a European country estate oozing with grandeur and stories of a life well-traveled. It’s a perfect spot to unwind with a non-alcoholic libation in hand while savoring the “parlor snacks” by Chef Andrew Carmellini, like crispy oysters with celery remoulade and London fries with malt vinegar aioli. The spirit-free pièce de résistance is the White Cosmo—a delightful concoction of verjus (a pressed juice from unripened grapes), Seedlip Grove, and a heavenly cloud of elderflower foam that seems to float down from the heavens. It’s the one you’ll feel most compelled to photograph for the IG feed. If your palate leans more towards citrus, the Mezcal Mule fuses zero-alcohol mezcal with fresh blood orange for a refreshing libation.
The Lobby Bar
Hotel Chelsea, 222 West 23rd Street
Once a haunt where rock and roll legends like Joplin and Dylan riffed alongside notables like Sedgwick and Kerouac—Hotel Chelsea was revived and reopened in 2022, and its Lobby Bar transports you to a glamorous watering hole of yesteryear. The space is all grandeur, twinkling chandeliers, and plush velvet, and the non-alcoholic drinks are exceptional. When I first tried the Strawberry Sbagliato years back, it was one of the first that made me think, “Ah, this non-alcoholic scene in New York is elevating and evolving.” Served in a glass with an exterior covered in shattered sugar, each sip reveals a unique flavor of strawberry, sparkling lemon verbena tea, and cacao butter. Another noteworthy mention is the Snap Pea Gimlet, a unique mix of non-alcoholic gin, sugar snap pea, macadamia, and curry leaf.
Jean’s
415 Lafayette Street
Cozy up by the fireplace at the fashion set’s favorite hub for a tête-à-tête. The ambiance—complete with a well-heeled crowd, flickering candlelight, and zebra-patterned curtains—makes Jean’s a go-to spot for those in-the-know (don’t even try to get in during NYFW) but it’s the food and non-alc options here that make it a personal favorite. I’d boldly claim Jean’s No-Groni is the best in New York City. This isn’t just a bottled version lazily served on ice; Jean’s rendition is a balance of tart, rich, and sweet, crafted with fresh grape syrup, Ghia aperitif, lemon juice, and Amass Riverine. Seeking something more herbaceous and vegetable-forward? The Cel-Rae shines in green with a blend of Seedlip’s Grove 42 and Garden 108, celery, cardamon, and lemon—all elegantly served with a Collins Sphere, a long elongated piece of ice that makes it look like a modern piece of art.
Clemente Bar
Eleven Madison Park, 11 Madison Avenue
For the art-obsessed epicurean—a night out at Clemente Bar is like scoring an invite to a secret enclave, with guests whisked up a mysterious staircase. Nestled within Eleven Madison Park, this new gem has an award-worthy non-alcoholic cocktail experience that’s one-of-a-kind. A collaboration between EMP and artist Francesco Clemente, the bar’s backdrop is giving downtown art gallery, and the menu is full of uniquely crafted drinks and plant-based à la carte bites, all set against a backdrop of the city s who’s who. In true Eleven Madison Park fashion, the zero-proof flavor combinations are both unexpected and intricate. The Kalimoxto is a blend of cola spices and non-alcoholic Everleaf Mountain, topped with a huge ice cube stamped with Clemente s insignia. Another favorite is the Picante, a subtly fruity and spicy mix of watermelon, wasabi, Thai bird chili, and Almave Reposado, a non-alcoholic agave spirit.
Bar Pendry
438 W 33rd St, Pendry Manhattan West Hotel
If you want to feel like you’re spending an evening inside a gilded jewel box, the Pendry Manhattan West Hotel’s Bar Pendry has a radiant ambiance and masterfully crafted cocktails—perfect for the Hudson Yards-dwelling dilettante. The walls and ceiling are adorned in a dreamy goldish hue and there’s an installation by Nancy Lorenz behind the bar, with swirling patterns of gold leaf and mother-of-pearl. One standout on the non-alc menu is the Soft Aria, an elixir of verdant non-alc spirit Amass Riverine, Lyre’s Bitter Orange, ginger, lime, and filled to the brim with crushed ice, and artfully prepared garnishes of citrus and cucumber. Another notable, the Sunrise Sbagliato is like a bubbling glass of non-alcoholic orange-tinged Champagne.
Koloman
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16 West 29th Street
Koloman, the Parisian-Viennese culinary haven in NoMad, is known for its much-talked-about cuisine—but the alchemy of its drink menu deserves just as much attention. Grab a seat at the lively Art Nouveau bar and dive into their signature freshly baked gougères made with melty bergkäse cheese while perusing the drink menu. My usual order here is the sparkling and tart Low Behold, a shaken aperitif that’s perfectly balanced and served in a coupe with Wolfred’s aperitif, lemon, honey, and a splash of club soda. Another callout? As a former Moscow Mule fan, I can confidently say that Koloman nails the non-alcoholic version. Ask for the off-the-menu Hibiscus Mule, crafted with vibrant hibiscus syrup, ginger beer, and lime, all piled high with ice and fresh mint.
Jac’s on Bond
26 Bond Street
The NoHo neighborhood watering hole has garnered a reputation for its creative cocktail menu, inviting yet stylish vibes (yes, that’s a pool table), and creamsicle pie. It’s also an ideal spot to gather for an upscale zero-proof drink (the seasonal options here are superb), and the well-dressed crowd practically glows in the moody amber lighting. Notably, all non-alcoholic drinks at Jac’s feature Ritual—a range of spirits that have become synonymous with the non-alcoholic renaissance, backed by Distill Ventures, and recently acquired by Diageo. While it’s challenging to whittle down to just one standout drink at Jac’s, the Winter Arc, concocted with Ritual gin, lime, jicama, and agave nectar is a personal favorite. Two other non-alc mashups that closely resemble their alcoholic equivalents are the Bey-Non-Ce, reminiscent of a spicy margarita—Ritual tequila, Zab s hot honey, ginger, lime, and the NoHito, a refreshing mix of Ritual rum, lime, mint, agave nectar, and sparkling water.
Bemelmans Bar
35 East 76th, The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
With walls illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans (of Madeline fame), live piano music, and a menu filled with refined libations, Bemelmans Bar, is one of the most delightful destination spots for a drink in all of Manhattan. Everyone loves Bemelmans—from A-listers and presidents to the TikTok crowd—and that universal appeal is what makes it truly special (hence the documentary and Assouline book). Located in The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, Bemelmans has maintained its relevancy since its inception—but what sets it apart for me is the ever-expanding array of zero-proof options to sip on while indulging on the infamous cheesy puff square crackers. The names of the zero-proof drinks pay homage to the bar’s charm, like the Pepito The Bad Hat, named after Madeline’s Spanish Neighbor and crafted with Ritual Tequila, lime juice, homemade orange syrup, and Badger club soda. Then there’s Earl’s Adagio VII Rasāsvāda Ruby Artemisia, named after Earl Rose, the resident Emmy-Award-winning pianist. This delightful concoction features fresh lime juice and honey from New York State wildflowers, reminiscent of an aromatized wine. Reserved for special nights and celebrations—it doesn’t get any better or any more New York.