7 Zero-Proof Bars and Bottle Shops for All Your N/A Needs
These alcohol-free spots in the Philly area promise good drinks without the hangover.
Our guide to zero-proof bars and bottle shops in the Philly area / Photograph courtesy of Gem Life + Bar
Since the pandemic, an increasing number of individuals — Philadelphians included — have become sober curious, or more mindful about how much, how often, and what they’re imbibing. In response, restaurants and bars have been crafting some seriously complex (and delicious!) alcohol-free cocktails, and zero-proof bars and bottle shops have been popping up across the region, making N/A options more accessible and mainstream.
If you’re already sober, are rethinking your relationship with alcohol, or simply want to have a good time sans spirits, check out these alcohol-free bars and bottle shops in and around Philadelphia. Each promises tasty beverages to sip on or take home — just without the hangover (score!).
Bar Palmina
1306 North Front Street, Fishtown
Photograph courtesy of Bar Palmina
Owner Nikki Graziano was inspired to open Bar Palmina after a life-threatening stint in the hospital led her to become sober. Disliking old-school N/A options (sweet sodas, juice, etc.), she was motivated to create a space where “a nice drink that someone put their time and care into, all wrapped up like a little gift” with a focus on “presentation, scent and texture” could be found. At her Fishtown spot, find thoughtfully crafted cocktails utilizing zero-proof bourbons, gins, tequilas, vodkas, and more, plus alcohol-free and dealcoholized wines and beer. Bar Palmina also partners with Wallace Dry Goods (below) so you can take home bottles and cans right from the bar.
Free Spirit
4920 York Road, store 13, Buckingham
Photograph courtesy of Free Spirit
“If you’re not ensuring that someone who doesn’t partake in alcohol has an option better than club soda with a splash of cranberry juice, you’re not doing the job,” says Christa Vigilante. “After some frustration with a few instances of this, I half jokingly said to my husband, ‘I’m so sick of drinking club soda. I should just open a place for everyone who doesn’t drink.’” And that’s exactly what she did, opening Free Spirit, an alcohol-free bar and bottle shop in Bucks County, in May of 2023. At her space (which also sells hemp goods), find major labels including Levity, Prima Pavé, and Lyre’s, plus lots of canned cocktails and seltzers. Free Spirit also boasts a rotating menu that highlights seasonal ingredients and, bonus, all the soda syrups, shrubs, and juices are made in house.
Gem Life + Bar
5 South Broadway, Pitman
Photograph courtesy of Gem Life + Bar
What started as an e-tailer of nonalcoholic beverages and goods in August of 2020 quickly transformed into a thriving brick-and-mortar in Pitman. The shop’s ethos is “conscious cocktails for mindful moments,” with opportunities to taste and buy over 250 zero-proof brands, plus participate in community events both in store and around the area via Gem’s pop-ups. Can’t swing by? Gem offers local delivery and nationwide shipping.
Herman’s Coffee
1313 South 3rd Street, Pennsport
Photograph courtesy of Herman’s Coffee via Instagram
This beloved neighborhood spot is more than just a coffee joint — it doubles as a boutique market that houses just about everything. Find chocolate bars galore, a massive inventory of tinned fish, and imported pastas, sauces, and spices. But you’re reading this because you’re looking for booze-free stuff, and Herman’s Coffee houses an incredible selection of N/A offerings, from over 150 varieties of spirits, wine, and beer to all the mixers, bitters, and syrups your heart — and your zero-proof drink — desires.
Mercantile 1888
765 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood
Photograph courtesy of Mercantile 1888 via Instagram
Downtown Collingswood’s modern-day general store features a full-service zero-proof bar with bartenders slinging N/A margaritas, Cosmos, espresso martinis, and the like, with fresh, seasonal ingredients from the Collingswood Farmers’ Market. There’s also boozeless beer, canned cocktails, and kombucha, cold brew, and HopTea on tap. Bonus: Mercantile 1888 hosts frequent tasting events and mix-and-sip workshops.
Nutmeg Bar and Market
1835 East Passyunk Avenue, East Passyunk
Photograph courtesy of Nutmeg Bar and Market
Opened in April of 2024, Nutmeg in East Passyunk features zero-proof cocktails including their takes on an old fashioned, spicy margarita, and a cappucino Martini, wines, and beer. The team is also serving up a menu of snacks and crostinis, hosts frequent comedy nights and karaoke fun, and has a retail market for you to peruse sauces, pickles, tinned fish, and more.
Wallace Dry Goods
1 West Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore
Photograph by Gab Bonghi for Wallace Dry Goods
This bottle shop in Ardmore is stocked with a range of zero-proof brands — we’re talking Ghia, Ritual, Cut Above, Trejo’s Spirits, Spiritless, and more — plus glassware, bar tools, fun cocktail napkins, and other hosting goods. Owner Robin Cummiskey, an Ardmore native, says the goal of Wallace Dry Goods is to make zero-proof options more accessible to consumers and within social settings: “I wanted to create a place where people could come try a variety of zero-proof spirits and then purchase their own bottles to take home, and where bar or restaurant owners could learn more about how to integrate sophisticated N/A offerings into their menus.” That’s why Wallace is more than just a retail boutique — you can expect regularly scheduled events, like tastings, mixology workshops, happy hours, and more.
