Brian Rothbart has always loved working in the beverage industry.

He’s been a sommelier and a winemaker out in California. He’s slept in vineyards and picked fruit for wineries in San Francisco and Australia. For a while, he worked at high-end bars in New York City before owning his own wine and cheese bar in New York City.

Then, eight years ago, “a lot of life happened at once,” he says. His wife got sick; he sold his wine and cheese bar and got sober. He tried different gigs, including construction management, but the beverage industry was where he wanted to be. He loved making drinks for people. About five years ago, he saw more and more non-alcoholic spirit options entering the market, so he decided to try his hand at mixing cocktails.

This April, he opened East Passyunk’s Nutmeg Bar and Market, one of Philly’s few, fledgling 100 percent N/A cocktail bars. “It’s the first time that this concept has really been possible,” Rothbart says. “All of the products are here now.”

Rothbart’s establishment is part of a growing, nationwide trend, where people, especially Millennials and Gen Zers, are drinking less or foregoing alcohol entirely. A Gallup report from last year found that drinking amongst adults under 35 fell 10 percentage points, from 72 percent to 62 percent. Now, only about four in 10 U.S. adults would describe themselves as regular drinkers, per that same report. Social media has helped fuel this shift, with many young adults participating in months-long no-drinking challenges, like sober October or Dry January.

“People are changing their lifestyles. Alcohol is objectively bad for you,” says Nikki Graziano, owner of Bar Palmina, a Fishtown-based zero proof cocktail bar that opened in August. Graziano started experimenting with N/A cocktails after receiving a life-saving liver transplant and becoming sober in 2022. Her bar is named for her grandmother who taught her how to cook.

“It’s societally easier to not drink now. I think something happened to our collective societal psyche with Covid, where it’s like we have to be health conscious now,” she continues.

Whether you’re sober yourself, participating in a challenge like Dry January, or just want to take a night off from drinking, Philly has a number of different options for you. Here’s a look at the best zero-proof bars, mocktails and other ways to have fun and drink less in our city.

Zero-proof bars

Many bars in Philly have a mocktail on the menu these days, but what tends to make zero-proof establishments distinct, their owners say, are the use of “dupes” or zero-proof versions of spirits like gin, rum, bourbon and tequila. These spirits are distilled like their alcoholic counterparts, but then they go through a second distilling to remove the alcohol. Most bars offering mocktails don’t stock zero-proof spirits (though there are exceptions) so their drinks are heavy on mixers and soda.

“Just because somebody isn’t wanting to consume alcohol doesn’t mean that they don’t want something that tastes delicious, or they want something that is more complex than, Here are some fruit juices, and club soda mixed together,” says Tony Vasinda, general manager for Unity Java, which offers N/A cocktails at its Umbria Street location. “We have things that are zero proof [and] spirit-forward.”

Bar Palmina: Graziano’s Bar Palmina has the same earthy, muted palette and shadowy lighting of many-a-Fishtown cocktail bar. It’s no wonder many people, Scotch salesman included, think her establishment is serving up hard gin and tequila. Graziano emphasizes she’s not trying to trick anyone — Bar Palmina has tons of N/A signs and all their menus say they’re zero-proof — but she does take it as a compliment when people say they can’t tell her drinks are booze-less. In the new year, she hopes to host more events, including Tuesday night trivia. Try the “Il Coraggio,” Graziano’s take on something espresso martini-like, and their yuzu negroni. 1306 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122.

Nutmeg Bar and Market: Part-bar, part-market, part-event space, Nutmeg Bar and Market strives to be the zero-proof establishment for all your going out, or staying in, needs. Rothbart’s Passyunk spot has a hip, unfussy vibe. On the walls are artwork from local artists and he converts a corner into a stage for Nutmeg’s open mic nights. Behind the bar, he’s mixing drinks like alcohol-free spritzes and “No Pain, No Problem,” his version of a penicillin. You can follow Nutmeg’s Instagram to keep up with events or check out their Eventbrite, they’ve hosted everything from speed dating rounds to sober stand up. This year, he hopes to add cheese pairings to his menu, begin offering more food like grilled cheese sandwiches and — if all goes well — look into opening a second location. 1835 E Passyunk Avenue

The Top Shelf at Unity Java: When Unity Restaurant Group decided to shutter The Volstead, Philly’s first zero-proof bar, in August, they moved their operations to the upstairs of another of their restaurants: Unity Java’s Umbria Street location. Located above the coffeeshop, and nicknamed Top Shelf at Unity Java, the space offers drinks made with zero-proof spirits and hosts game nights, tastings and product launches. Like all Unity Restaurant Group establishments, they’re a recovery-friendly workplace. In addition to N/A cocktails, Unity Java offers shrubs, a type of drink made from vinegar, sugar and fruit that was popularized during Prohibition. Check out the blackberry fig shrub the shop will feature for Boxing Day. Bonus: The Ridge Avenue location is planning a gaming center where people can hang out for free in the new year. 5001 Umbria Street and 5312 Ridge Avenue

Regular bars, stellar mocktails

If you’re going out with friends who plan to drink alcohol or you want to grab dinner and a zero-proof beverage, these bars and restaurants might be more of your vibe. Mocktail culture is growing in Philly, so this list isn’t comprehensive, but it is a roundup of some of the spots where you can reliably find an awesome mixed drink sans alcohol.

Banh Mi and Bottles: Alongside tea and coffee, this South Street cafe serves mocktails. Like their cocktail menu, the N/A options sport smart twists: pandan cordials, tamarind pulp and a generous helping of fresh mint. 712-14 South Street

Bar Hygge: Fairmount’s Bar Hygge loves cozy fare, and their mocktail menu is no exception. Patrons can enjoy alcohol-free sparkling wines, and cocktails made with Ghia aperitifs and gin alternatives. 1720 Fairmount Avenue

Bloomsday: The Society Hill wine and coffee bar’s menu sports a handful of zero-ABV cocktails and house-made ginger beer. Their non-alcoholic cocktail and beer options are on their happy hour menu, too. Sip on them while snacking on the oysters on special. 414 S. 2nd Street

Char & Stave: Owned by Bluebird Distilling’s Jared Adkins, Main Line coffee shop Char & Stave becomes a cocktail bar at night, serving up boozy and N/A beverages. Their zero-proof menu includes an old fashioned made with aged espresso, and a matcha mojito. Bluebird Distilling’s primary location in Phoenixville also has a great mocktail selection. 8441 Germantown Avenue and 21 Rittenhouse Place, Ardmore

Charlie Was a Sinner: Made with or without zero-proof spirits, Nicole Marquis’ Charlie Was a Sinner has a wide variety of no-ABV options for its patrons. One unique pick: “Wanderlust,” a no-ABV concoction made with pineapple, lemon, sparkling water and zero-proof mushroom amaro. 131 S. 13th Street

Craft Hall: If you’re a drinker looking for a no ABV-option amid a big, family-friendly, TV- and game-filled taproom, Craft Hall is serving N/A lagers, IPAs, and both chilled and warm mocktails, including warm cider and hot chocolate. 901 N. Delaware Avenue

Ember & Ash: Mocktails — including “Sweet Melon Fizz” and a Korean spice margarita — join de-alcoholized rieslings and more the N/A/ menu of Ember & Ash in South Philly. 1520 E. Passyunk Avenue

Fitz on 4th: Like their food offerings, Fitz on 4th’s beverages favor vegan and locally sourced ingredients. That extends to their mocktails as well. Made with Ritual zero-proof spirits, Fitz on 4th is serving a spirit-forward “Mable Rum Old Fashioned” and a refreshing cucumber and lime heavy “Emerald Fox,” amongst other tasty libations. 743 S. 4th Street

R&D: Like their alcoholic cocktails, R&D’s mocktails skew sweet and tropical, with virgin coladas, junglebirds and penicillins. Campari, lime and pineapple juice dominate the Fishtown drinkery’s easy-to-sip list. 1206 Frankford Avenue

La Chinesca: A Mexican-Chinese fusion restaurant in Spring Garden’s repurposed Jiffy Lube, La Chinesca serves up a number of unique low- and no-ABV drinks, with unique ingredients like turmeric and dried chipotle. Try the “Tepache,” made with fermented pineapple rinds. 1036 Spring Garden Street

Puttshack: One of the few joints serving mocktails made with zero-proof spirits, Center City indoor mini golf and bar Puttshack offers a “H2NO Ranch Water,” “N/A Spritz,” “Passion Fruit Lemonade” and a sweet, Red Bull-laced concoction they call the “Cotton Candy Crush.” 1625 Chestnut Street

Urban Farmer Philadelphia: Many of Urban Farmer’s N/A offerings have names that pun on their booze-lessness: “Cos-no-politan,” “UF No-groni.” The hotel restaurant is also serving up a Shirley Temple, an N/A classic, and the “Flight of the Dove,” a mocktail made with grapefruit, lime, soda and red pepper jelly. 1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Zero-proof bottle shops

As Rothbart notes, “In this country, you go out to drink, or you stay in to not drink. You don’t go out when you feel like not drinking.” If you don’t feel like braving the cold, or if you’re planning to host friends, these shops can help you stock an N/A bar cart.

Bella Vista Beverage: Bella Vista Beverage is best known as a beer store, so it makes sense that the Wash West spot is well-stocked with N/A beer options. But they also sell a handful of zero-proof wines and spirits as well. 755 S. 11th Street

CORK: The Rittenhouse bottle shop stocks a variety of N/A sparkling wines, spirits and other beverages. They recommend people just starting out in the N/A space buy a variety of sparklers — ready-to-drink N/A wines — zero-proof spirits and after dinner sippers and palette cleansers. 253 S. 20th Street

Herman’s Coffee: With more than 200 non-alcoholic beer, wine and liquor dupes to choose from, Herman’s in Pennsport has you covered for all your dry January at home get-togethers. The shop, which started carrying zero-proof booze in 2020, sells them alongside market staples like coffee grounds, bitters and dried pasta. 1313 S. 3rd Street

Occasionette: The Passyunk gift store sells everything from tea towels to baby gifts. Amongst their barwares offerings: a handful of zero-proof liquors, wines and garnishes. They also stock recipe books with non-alcoholic cocktail entries, so you’ll know what to do when you pick up the shaker. 1704 E. Passyunk Avenue and 8521 Germantown Avenue

Riverwards Produce: Local and ugly produce supplier Riverwards in Fishtown and Old City sells a selection of N/A wines and spirits. They carry big brands in the N/A space like Ritual gin, rum and whiskey, and Töst wines. They also have hop waters, a beer / seltzer alternative. Find these goods next to their selection of mixers. 146 Bread Street and 2200 E. Norris Street

Wallace Dry Goods: While other entrants on this list sell N/A beverages alongside regular booze or other foodstuffs, Wallace Dry Goods in Ardmore exclusively sells zero-proof beers, wines and liquors — and host tastings, so people can become better acquainted with N/A substitutes. They also have a Libation Library on their website that guides customers through building a non-alcoholic bar for their home. 1 W. Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore

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