Doing Dry January? Or just interested in an alcohol-free lifestyle? The sober and “sober curious” communities are growing rapidly — and establishments and beverage businesses are taking notice, providing alternatives to those cutting out alcohol.
Whether you’re taking a short break or you’re avoiding it altogether, we have some good news! There are several restaurants, bars and hotspots in town that offer a variety of non-alcoholic options, so you can still enjoy happy hour, sans alcohol! From mocktails and tonics to zero-proof cocktails and kombucha, there’s something for everyone to sip on.
Coppermuse Distillery
You may not think of a distillery as a place to avoid alcohol — but think again! Coppermuse Distillery has a collection of “spirited away mocktails” on their robust cocktail menu. The refreshing Virgo is made with ginger beer, lime juice, a limeade ice cube, and Angostura bitters. And the tart Scarlet Behavior consists of tart cherry juice, cherry bitters, ginger simple syrup, lime and ginger beer.
The Emporium
Every visit to The Emporium is a delightful experience, from the creative dishes to the adorable decor. Tucked inside the Elizabeth Hotel, this American brasserie has a collection of zero-proof cocktails available on their beverage menu, most of which feature a zero-proof spirit so it tastes exactly like the real thing — without the effects! The Spiced Hibiscus is made with Seedlip Spiced, Happy Lucky’s hibiscus spiced tea, agave, and lime, and the Seasonal Mockarita consists of Lyre’s agave blanco, a rotating puree, agave, and lime. Or if you’re feeling wine, the French 0.0 is made with Lyre’s Pink London and classic non-alcoholic sparkling wine, with a splash of lemon.
Sunset Lounge
Photo Courtesy of Sunset Lounge
Also in the Elizabeth Hotel — just a few stories up — is the swanky Sunset Lounge, a rooftop bar overlooking downtown Fort Collins. This all-weather, open-air jazz bar offers some of the finest drinks in the city, including some zero-proof cocktails — similar to what you’ll find downstairs at The Emporium, just with an elevated view! If beer is more your thing, both establishments carry Athletic Brewing, a popular non-alcoholic beer. Sunset Lounge does not accept reservations during the evenings; the bar operates on a first come, first served basis.
William Oliver’s Publick House
William Oliver’s is reviving the traditional pub atmosphere, creating a welcoming gathering spot to share a drink or two with friends, old and new. But you don’t have to be drinking alcohol to hang out here! William Oliver’s has a collection of non-alcoholic cocktails on their menu — and the best part? Coming in at $3.25–4, they are by far the least expensive on this list! Cool off with The Roxanne, a lemon-limeade soda with Angostura bitters and fresh mint, or warm up with the Hot Toddette, a comforting hot drink with honey, lemon juice and spices.
The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm
It’s no surprise this restaurant focused on health would offer a wide selection of drinks sans alcohol. The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm is one of our favorite destinations for a farm-to-table meal for brunch through dinner — and now, it’s one of our favorite places to grab a drink, with or without alcohol. Their menu has a variety of zero-proof drinks, including a mock-mosa or virgin bloody for brunch, and several delicious options for lunch or dinner, like a raspberry lavender lemonade, Pinkies Up (which has earl grey tea, lavender and lemon soda), or the Swift Kick, made with jalapeño-infused apple juice, honey, lime and ginger ale.
Social
Photo Courtesy of Social
Tucked under the streets of Old Town, Social is about as close to a speakeasy experience as you’ll get, with dim lighting, a mysterious feel, lush lounge seating, and of course, exceptional drinks — including their “dry drinks.” These non-alcoholic cocktails are as creative as their alcoholic counterparts, with options rotating depending on the season. Right now, you’ll find comforting winter drinks like the Wild Card, Whiskers on Kittens, and the Winter Buck. And if you want the spirit-forward taste (without the spirit), order the Virgroni, made with Seedlip’s herbal non-alcoholic spirit, Giffard non-alcoholic aperitif, house-made tonic syrup, and non-alcoholic bitters.
Cafe Vino
With a name like Cafe Vino, you know the focus will be on wine. And that’s certainly the case at this Fort Collins gem, which has an extensive wine list with more than 200 wines, plus creative tapas, cocktails and local craft beers. But don’t worry — they also offer zero-proof drinks, like a rosemary lavender lemonade, strawberry basil lemonade, and Dr. Bob’s Copper Cup, made with sage-honey syrup, fresh lemon juice, and ginger beer.
Domenic’s
Domenic’s is a buzzy hotspot with a mid-priced menu inspired by tastes from around the world — with a special emphasis on Italian-inspired entrees and gourmet pizzas. They invite you to “have a drink and stay for dinner” — but you can choose a mocktail if you’re not drinking, with spins on classics, like the Cucumber Mint Fauxjito, the Mango Mule, the Blackberry Mint Cooler, and the Ginger Julep!
RARE Italian
RARE Italian is a cozy, elevated Italian steakhouse in the heart of Fort Collins with seasonal menus featuring fresh, local ingredients, handmade pastas and cheeses, in-house dry-aged steaks, and an extensive list of New and Old World wines. Plus, they offer a selection of drinks under the “Senza” section of their menu — Italian for “without” — like the Il Rinfresco made with berry simple syrup, pineapple juice and lemonade. Or experience the taste of alcohol with the NA Old Fashioned, made with Bare zero-proof bourbon, Fee Brothers bitters, and simple syrup, or the Bellini, composed of GRÜVI dry secco and peach juice.
Restaurant 415
Restaurant 415 is a casual eatery serving up healthy dishes made with locally sourced ingredients — with plenty of options for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diners. They also offer non-alcoholic beer and some fresh juice mocktails, including the 415, made with ginger juice, lime juice, and ginger soda, and a refreshing paloma made with grapefruit juice, lime juice and simple syrup.
Elliot’s Martini Bar
Since 1997, Elliot’s Martini Bar has been the city’s go-to source for martinis, cocktails, tapas, beer, wine and spirits. Plus, they have a hefty selection of mocktails to choose from, most of which are made with Seedlip spirits, so you’ll get the same taste of your favorite alcoholic beverage! The comforting Golden Delicious is made with Seedlip Spice, lemon, maple syrup, apple simple syrup, and apple bitters. Or opt for Like That, a refreshing drink made with Seedlip Citrus Grove, lemon, orange and grapefruit juices, and turmeric simple syrup.
The Still Whiskey Steaks
Photo Courtesy of Kelly Buster via The Still Whiskey Steaks
From the log cabin-inspired decor to the servers decked in flannel, The Still Whiskey Steaks provides a casual, comfortable environment in which to sip on their selection of more than 50 Colorado whiskies. They also have a few non-alcoholic drinks to choose from, including a rosemary spritzer, a pineapple margarita, and a coconut mojito, plus a non-alcoholic wine and three options from Athletic Brewing!
The Regional
The Regional is all about local — sourcing from regional farms, ranches and docks to create their iconic hometown dishes. Pair your meal with one of their mocktails, whether it’s a Blackberry Piff, Sage Advice Margarita, Passion of the Smash, or the My-T Mule. Or of course, you could always have a non-alcoholic beer, soda, coffee, kombucha, or other non-alcoholic beverage!
Jay’s Bistro
Situated in the heart of historic downtown Fort Collins, Jay’s Bistro has been serving up seasonal fare for more than three decades. This swanky, special-occasion eatery is the place to celebrate — or simply unwind with a drink while you listen to live jazz. Their “mocktail drynks” are to-die-for, from the Pomm Fizz Mocktail made with pomegranate juice, lime, simple syrup, basil and soda, to the CosNo Mocktail with Seedlip Grove, lime, simple syrup and cranberry.
Sonny Lubick Steakhouse
Photo Courtesy of Sonny Lubick Steakhouse
Located in the heart of downtown Fort Collins, Sonny Lubick Steakhouse is a warm, intimate steakhouse lined with brick walls, cozy leather seating, and wood accents. Their steak- and seafood-centric menu is complemented by an extensive wine and cocktail menu, including some mocktails. There is likely a non-alcoholic version of your favorite drink, like a Virgin Bloody Mary, N/A Paloma, Virgin Mojito, and more.
Pour Brothers Community Tavern
Pour Brothers offers a laid-back environment for sipping on local beers and craft cocktails, plus a variety of salads and sandwiches, right in the heart of Old Town. But you don’t have to be drinking alcohol to have a good time at this beloved establishment, as they have a handful of zero-proof cocktails available, including the Sunflower Spritz made with mango juice, honey simple syrup, and ginger beer, the Shirley Not, which is basically an extra-classy Shirley Temple, and the Piña Ca-Nada, providing the piña colada experience without any of the consequences!
Tasty Harmony
Tasty Harmony is known for its commitment to using locally sourced, organic ingredients to create delicious and healthy meals that cater to a variety of dietary restrictions, including vegan and gluten-free. Their tonics are the perfect complement to your plant-based meal! Stand-outs include The Drink That Makes It Impossible For Me To Have Bad Thoughts, made with muddled thai basil, mint and jalapeño, kombucha, tulsi tincture, lime juice, and agave, and the Peace Blossom, made with chamomile, tonic water, simple syrup, lemon juice, and fresh muddled mint.
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant
Photo Courtesy of Rio Grande
Since 1986, Rio Grande has been everyone’s go-to for Tex-Mex food and killer margaritas — so much so that this regional chain now has five locations throughout the state! But the Fort Collins location was the very first for this popular eatery. Here, you can order one of many mocktails, such as the Strawberry “Marg” sans booze or the refreshing Hibiscus Spritz made with hibiscus agua fresca, soda and lemon.
Herbal Mocktails
If you’re planning an alcohol-free event, you’re in luck! We have our very own mobile juice bar specializing in non-alcoholic drinks here in Fort Collins: Herbal Mocktails. All drinks are made fresh before every event and all infusions are made from scratch to ensure the highest quality for sippers! The menu is always changing with the season, so check out the latest offerings before you book. This makes an excellent addition to a baby shower, office party, wedding reception, birthday party, or a private party of any kind — and there are several different levels to choose from, whether you want a cash bar or an open bar, or you prefer a self-serve mocktail station instead.
Cheers!
Raise a (spirit-free) glass to the many alternative drink options in Fort Collins!
Comments