Philly’s Best Bars for N/A Happy Hour Drinks
Here's where to go and what to order for all of the fun (and none of the headache).
Photograph courtesy of Grace & Proper
If the sober-curious movement has taught us anything it’s that abstinence doesn’t mean abstaining from flavor and fun. Bartenders across the city have been dabbling in the world of zero-proof spirits, creating drinks rivaling their buzzed counterparts. But what about happy hour (social hour, if you will), a time often dedicated to getting the most booze for your buck? These bars have you covered with exciting non-alcoholic options at unbeatable happy hour prices.
Grace & Proper, Bella Vista
One of Philly’s chillest Eurobars just dropped three new zero-proof cocktails on the menu this month. There’s the Currant Trends, featuring a smoky, lapsang souchong tea; the Mockingbird, a playful take on their house favorite, The Bird, made with fresh grapefruit and spicy ginger; and the Orange Blossom Fizz, combining the citrusy flavors of cranberry, orange blossom, and fresh lemon with the velvety texture of egg whites, garnished with an Amarena cherry. During happy hour (Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m.), these drinks will only cost you $7 a pop. So grab a seat at the bar, order the bifana, and indulge in one (or all three) of these zero-proof libations. 941 South 8th Street.
Bloomsday, Society Hill
Shout out to Bloomsday for having zero-proof options during happy hour all of the time and not just for Dry January. We listed Cuddles on the Beach as one of the best non-alcoholic cocktails in Philly, and during happy hour, you can get this fizzy pomegranate and orange refresher for just $6. Their ever-popular house-made ginger beer is also available for $6, as is the Well Being non-alcoholic IPA. 414 South 2nd Street.
Photograph courtesy of Mercantile 1888
Mercantile 1888, Collingswood
Leave it to a dry town to have one of the region’s best dry bars. On Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m., the world is your oyster at Mercantile 1888. Most of Collingswood’s zero-proof bar menu — from the Amaretti cold brew to the wine cocktails — is in play. Get $3 off all N/A beers and $2 off all of the zero-proof cocktails, and see for yourself how multifaceted the world of alcohol-free spirits can be. 765 Haddon Avenue.
Wilder, Rittenhouse
For an after-work pick-me-up, look no further than Wilder’s happy hour, where you can get their Third Eye Opener for just $5. Made with the amaro-like Pathfinder N/A spirit, coffee, and a squeeze of lemon, a few sips in, and you’ll feel more clear-headed than when you came in. 2009 Sansom Street.
Photograph by Gab Bonghi for Wallace Dry Goods
Wallace Dry Goods, Ardmore
Wallace Dry Goods is on a sort of Dry January happy hour crawl, bringing N/A delights from their Ardmore shop to events throughout the region. Stop by the Ardmore shop on January 11th for their all-vegan, gluten-free, zero-proof Mocktail Hour with Bake Bake and Llamita Vegana, or take the Shaken & Stirred N/A cocktail workshop with Mr. ZeroProof on January 24th. And if you can’t make it to the burbs, there’s still time to grab one of the last few tickets to the High & Dry event at High Street on Market on January 22nd, and enjoy a night of alcohol-free spirits and mingling in The Franklin’s art deco lobby. Check out their website here for more details. 1 West Lancaster Avenue.
Positano Coast by Aldo Lamberti, Old City
You don’t need a plane ticket to get a taste of the Amalfi Coast. At happy hour, Positano Coast in Old City is transporting diners to the Mediterranean with a Sober Spritz made with DHŌS Gin Free, elderflower syrup, Pellegrino limonata, and rosemary and their Tempered Expectations featuring plum/shiso tea cordial, lemon, and elderflower tonic — both for just $8 (a helluva deal when you consider these normally go for $14). Happy hour is Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 4 to 6:30 p.m. 212 Walnut Street.
Photograph courtesy of Mia Ragazza
Mia Ragazza, Manayunk
We here at Foobooz love a good espresso martini, so for Dry January, you best believe we’re headed to Manayunk for Mia Ragazza’s No Booz Tiramisu Espresso Martini made with Seedlip spice and orgeat. During happy hour (Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.), you can get this decadent zero-proof dessert-like cocktail for just $8 — a killer deal, especially when paired with their $9 appetizers and $11 Roman-style pizzas. 4411 Main Street.
Mamajuana Cafe Philly, Fishtown
Mamajuana Cafe Philly is launching their first-ever zero-proof cocktails this Dry January – and they’re here to stay! They’ve got three tempting new additions, all of which are the perfect tropical escape from the freezing winter weather. There’s the Golden Breeze, packed with tropical pineapple and mango; the Tropical Eden made with passion fruit and refreshing cucumber; and the Berry Paradise, a herbaceous, fruity, and creamy cocktail made with strawberries, basil, pineapple, and coconut cream. And yes, they’re all alcohol-free. Snag these for just $6 during happy hour, Monday through Thursday, 4 to 6 p.m. at the bar. 1000 Frankford Avenue, #1.
Craftsman Row Saloon, Washington Square West
Craftsman Row Saloon, which just wrapped up a season of being Philly’s most festive bar for the holidays, is continuing to make the season merry and bright with their Cranberry Mule. Made with ginger beer, cranberry, lime, and mint, this zesty, mouth-puckeringly sweet N/A cocktail is just $5 for happy hour, Wednesday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. 112 South 8th Street.
