Sometimes it feels like there’s no avoiding Austin’s world of alcohol.
The roots of booze culture here run much deeper than just the Sixth Street nightlife scene. For those looking to have some sober fun but still partake in Austin’s party culture, we created this definitive list of Where to Get Mocktails in Austin.
Contributed by Deven Wilson
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photo via facebook
1209 E 11th St
Sip on a mocktail at one of our favorite East Side spots, Hillside Farmacy. This charming, historic restaurant that used to be an actual pharmacy makes their own sodas, perfect for a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage. For a health boost, we recommend trying their Turmeric Black Pepper Soda, as the turmeric is known for being a healing herb and has great anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. This drink is also made up of lemon, ginger, and black pepper, but keep in mind you can add a splash of CBD for $3. Some of their other virgin sodas include The Pickpocket (strawberry, basil, and balsamic), The Country Doc (served hot or cold with ginger, apple, and cinnamon), and Hibiscus Lemonade.
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photo via Hotel Vegas
1502 E 6th St
Dry January is coming up, and HV's Mocktail Menu at Hotel Vegas & Volstead Lounge offers a tantalizing array of zero-proof delights to start the year. The French 00 is a sophisticated mix featuring Martini & Rossi Floreale, zesty lemon, and non-alcoholic rosé, offering a touch of elegance and refreshing flavors. Their other mocktails are The Forager, made with Seedlip Garden, Basil, Mint, Lime, Himalayan Pink Salt, and Sparkling Water, and No Rush, a concoction of Ritual Whiskey, Honey, and Lemon.These mocktails cater to various tastes and preferences, offering a delightful selection of flavors and experiences for anyone participating in Dry January or simply seeking a delicious non-alcoholic alternative.
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Photo via Sans Bar
918 Congress Suite 100
If there’s a sober Cheers, Sans Bar would be it. Stirred up by Chris Marshall, Sans Bar is a welcoming and warm environment washing out the stigma of sober living one mocktail at a time. Offering mocktails, events, and workshops, Sans Bar is the heart of the NA community in Austin. Open only on Fridays from 6pm-12pm
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Photo via Facebook
503 Colorado St
Living up to its name, this craft-cocktail bar is literally in a parking garage in the American National Bank building downtown. Inspired by a Midcentury aesthetic, Garage Bar can help you escape the madness of Sixth Street and inebriation in one go with their quirky concoctions. Look over their “Unleaded” menu while your park it by their bar for the night with several mocktails to fuel your time with flavor.
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Photo via Sway
3437 Bee Caves Rd
Drink in the view of the city from the rooftop while your hands frantically reach for a mocktail to cool the fire on your tongue from the incredible and deadly spiced Thai dishes served at Sway. Their refreshing mocktails, kombuchas, and Thai ice tea offer a fiercely flavorful relief as you explore your heat limits with their game-changing menu.
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Photo via Facebook
10106 Menchaca Rd
Nestled in the booming bar scene far south on Menchaca, Armadillo Den bucks the norm and offers a full draft mocktail menu. It’s not just soda and shrubs - you can get sangria or a Paloma, all alcohol-free. For those who do imbibe, they can add their liquor of choice to spike things up, but everyone else can enjoy the draft mocktails just as they are.
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600 W 2nd St
Peacock delivers on its name in full visual force. Inspired by the colorful cuisine in the Mediterranean, the culinary rainbow inside the Proper Hotel continues into their spirit-free drinks. Sip and savor your sober evening while your eyes drink in the stunning setting.
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Photo via Facebook
Various Locations
The sun never sets on the Easy Tiger empire, and they're sinking their claws in even the most sober among us. While the NA beer might vary at each spot, you can find mocktails slung by the bartenders with dry palmers, lemonade mocktails, and sodas that’ll keep you going back. (Even if it's just an excuse to get one more pretzel.)
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Photo via Facebook
522 Congress Ave
11310 Domain Dr
Look over their extensive mocktail list and prove you bowl better sober the next time your office takes y’all out to Punch Bowl Social for team building. The good times out at our local barcade can keep rolling along with those looking to bring a little NA to the Par-tay.
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121 Pickle Rd
1300 E 4th St
Beloved south Austin hangout spot Cosmic will expand your drinking horizons once you look to the outer limits of their drinks menu. Orbiting the menu are coffee-based creations alongside their zero-proof frozen painkiller that’ll make going out a headache-free experience for those feeling sober-curious. Their new East location also has some delicious Aguas Frescas you can find in the Taqueria.
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Photo via Facebook
304 E Cesar Chavez St Unit 700
The urban jungle is rarely a friend to anyone looking to stay dry during a night out, but there is a tiki sanctuary overlooking Cesar Chavez at the Marriott. Sober up on their Spice Island mocktail or ride the surf with the Clean Wave surrounded by lush greenery high above the chaos of traffic in Austin.
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4715 E Cesar Chavez St
De Nada Cantina is a new and lovely little taco supplier looking to keep the tortillas flowing and filled with savory delights. Head out to their greenhouse and sip on some agua frescas while you indulge in our civic duty - consuming enough tacos, chips, and guac to circle the moon and back.
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Photo via Facebook
6700 Burnet Rd
A place after Austin’s own heart, Yard Bar is a dog park, beer garden and grill all in one, combining the perfect trifecta of what life is all about in the Lone Star State’s capital. Usually based around Big Swig selections, make sure to ask about what mocktails are in season, like their Mockarita (Lime & Orange Juice, Simple Syrup, Salt Rim). If their seasonal options don’t entice you, then consider asking for something custom-made for a pleasant, sober surprise.
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EVEN MORE MOCKTAIL SPOTS IN AUSTIN:
4300 Speedway
5020 E 7th St
91 Red River St
1628 E Cesar Chavez St
3201 E Cesar Chavez St
200 Lavaca St
2113 Manor Rd
3901 Promontory Point Dr
3300 W Anderson Ln
313 E 6th St
2115 S Lamar Blvd
Various Locations
211 Darden Hill Rd (Driftwood, TX)
Pop-Up Bar Around Austin
307 W 5th St
1700 E Cesar Chavez St
2115 Holly St
Various Locations
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Did we miss your favorite spot for mocktails?
