Spartanburg’s Mocktails and Nonalcoholic Options
Note: this content originally appeared in InTheBurg.
Beyond “Dry January” and “Sober October,” increasing amounts of people are opting for non-alcoholic brews and booze-free beverages in the Upstate, particularly with increased production and popularity of craft NA beers.
From classy to casual, entertainment venues to restaurants, these local businesses across Spartanburg County are expanding their bar offerings to include broader beverage lists.
Mocktails & More
“Zero-proof,” “no ABV,” “mocktail,”… However you refer to these alcohol-free beverages, enjoy a variety of options at these Spartanburg restaurants and bars:
CRIBBS KITCHEN, (226-B W. MAIN ST., SPARTANBURG):
Cribbs offers one of the larger ABV-free cocktail menus on our list, with mixed-drink flavors ranging from fizzy berry and citrus sodas to cold-brew coffee concoctions, to tea and peach puree, and more. Pair your beverage with an award-winning burger.
DRAY: BAR + GRILL, (1800 DRAYTON RD, SPARTANBURG):
This dog-themed restaurant is bringing the flavor! Dray boasts customizable cocktails/ mocktails that donate a percentage of sales to the Spartanburg Humane Society, as well as O’Douls Non-Alcoholic Brew.
THE KENNEDY, (221 EAST KENNEDY ST)
American fare, local ingredients, Art-Deco décor, and some of the prettiest zero-proof drinks you’ve seen. Sample a full menu of shareable plates, with drinks such as Raspberry Blueberry Smashes and Virgin Palomas.
SOUTHSIDE SMOKEHOUSE & GRILL, (726 SOUTH HOWARD AVE, LANDRUM)
While Southside Smokehouse may not have a full list of mocktails on the menu, their craft bartenders can substitute and customize any existing beverages on the menu. Popular drinks to customize are the Winter Smash with cranberry and orange, and the Mule in a Hurricane.
Craft & Draft
Don’t sacrifice flavor and live entertainment with ABV. These local businesses offer craft NA beer on draft, in bottles, or in cans.
FR8YARD, (125 EAST MAIN ST, SPARTANBURG)
Toast to live music with nonalcoholic can options and specialty bratwursts. FR8yard’s biergarten and music venue in the heart of downtown Spartanburg is open March through November.
FRETWELL SPARTANBURG, (101 FRETWELL ST, SPARTANBURG)
This family-friendly venue features live music events and pop-up markets, home to Little River Roasting Co., The Spartan food concessions, and a greenspace on the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail. Current NA craft options include Rightside Brewing’s Citrus Wheat.
THE HIKER HUB, (173 EAST MAIN ST, SPARTANBURG)
Did you know that The Local Hiker specialty outdoors retailer has a taproom in the back of the store? Behind the bar, find Lagunitas IPNA bottles.
VENUS PIE PIZZERIA, (400 EAST MAIN ST, SPARTANBURG)
In addition to some of the most popular, hand-tossed, thin-crust pizza in Spartanburg, Venus Pie also boasts a variety of NA beer, including Athletic Brewing Co. and Busty Lush.
Take It To Go
So maybe the bar’s not your scene… The beauty of nonalcoholic beverages is that you can select them to-go!
BLUE MOON BODEGA, (220 DANIEL MORGAN AVE, SPARTANBURG)
Blue Moon Specialty Foods’ newest concept and second location is freshly opened, featuring a sandwich counter, patio taproom, and a full grocery complete with walk-in beverage cave. Nonalcoholic offerings range from canned mocktails and kombucha, house-made and -bottled craft lemonade, NA beer by Sober Carpenter and more.
