Dry January is just 31 days out of 365, but as more bars expand their non-alcoholic options, it’s easy to cut back on booze throughout the year. What’s more, with the right ingredients (and a capable mixologist) on hand, zero-proof cocktails can be as nuanced and intentional as their boozy counterparts.
[ Read more: The rise of ‘sober curious’ culture in Bellingham ]
In rounding up my favorite mocktails in Bellingham, I sought out places with complex, adult-oriented menus — not sugary concoctions with grenadine, soda and four kinds of fruit juice. I’ve also listed spots with a solid word-of-mouth reputation for making balanced mocktails.
Classic cocktail bar experience
If you want the upscale experience of a cocktail bar, sans booze, know that Galloway’s Cocktail Bar has among the largest selections of non-alcoholic drink options in Bellingham. Its designated zero-proof menu includes 10 craft mocktails made with high-quality ingredients like Fever Tree ginger beer, fresh citrus and house-made syrups.
Jack’s Bar in downtown Bellingham and sister business Southside Bar in Fairhaven are also good options. Both bars have a mocktail menu, stock a variety of non-alcoholic spirits and are well-equipped to handle any request. Southside even uses vinegars sourced from local businesses like Drizzle and Gold Status Botanicals.
Dinner dates
Redlight Kitchen & Bar’s new-and-improved location is one of the most popular date night picks in town — and for good reason. In addition to cocktails, its East Asian-inspired food menu is a standout in downtown Bellingham. (I occasionally dream about the spicy noodles and wontons.) Many of Redlight’s signature drinks can be made alcohol-free upon request, and their mixologists are more than capable of making mocktails according to customers’ tastes.
Rock & Rye Oyster House is one of the best spots in downtown Bellingham for seafood, but the drink menu shouldn’t be overlooked. Its bar boasts a wide selection of “sans booze” options made with Seedlip, Pathfinder, Roots Divino Rosso and Wilderton, plus N/A sparkling wines. The restaurant is currently in the process of expanding its mocktail menu, though notable current drinks include an N/A negroni and the creatively named Pixie Potion.
Finally, Carnal and Bistro Estelle — upscale eateries owned by the same team — stock a variety of non-alcoholic spirits. At Carnal, I’m intrigued by the Path Less Wandered (with Pathfinder, grapefruit, orgeat, lemon and verjus, which is a sour juice from unripe grapes), and the Willing to Fall (with Wilderton Lustre, verjus blanc, guava and lemon) at Bistro Estelle.
Creative mocktails
Whether they’re veganizing crunchwraps or crowdsourcing rhubarb from customers’ gardens, L&L Libations is among downtown Bellingham’s most innovative bars. Their non-alcoholic options are no exception: Though they don’t have a designated N/A menu, their bartenders regularly whip up unique mocktails based on the customer’s preferred flavor profile.
Backdoor Bellingham is another top pick for one-of-a-kind libations. Its bartenders are more than happy to put something together based on customer preference — just don’t expect to get the same drink twice. Since Backdoor doesn’t typically use non-alcoholic spirits, save for a non-alcoholic dry prosecco, most ingredients are based around a seasonal menu. This menu rotates about every two months, although standbys include a house-made blueberry ginger syrup.
Beachy drinks
As far as tiki drinks go, Red Rum reigns supreme in downtown Bellingham — and most offerings can be made minus the booze. Red Rum’s mocktails are non-alcoholic takes on summertime classics such as the Pina Colada, Zombie and Painkiller.
The Admiralty Lounge is another maritime-inspired bar, with a cocktail menu focused heavily around rum and tropical flavors. The drinks on their booze-free menu — such as the 0° Declination (made with N/A bourbon, lemon, coconut and cola) — have a similarly beachy vibe.
Happy hour
The menu at JUXT Taphouse is what happy hour dreams are made of, with $2 off taco plates, entree salads and starters such as wings, loaded nachos, poutine, curry bacon fries and more. You can pair your bites with N/A beer or a rotating draft mocktail, often made with local ingredients, like juice from Bow Hill Blueberries.
Storia Cucina has a daily happy hour from 3–5 p.m., with discounts on Italian favorites like pizza, pasta and garlic knots. It also offers a late-night happy hour Friday–Saturday from 10 p.m. to close. Despite not being listed on the happy hour menu, its mocktails are still noteworthy: Zero-proof options include a house-made N/A negroni, various flavored sodas and the Flora Rosa (made with Wilderton Lustre, grapefruit, hibiscus and lime).
The Black Cat is a happy hour classic in Fairhaven, with food discounts from 3–6 p.m. Monday–Thursday. You can pair appetizers like fried oysters and fish and chips with the Cheeky Tiki or Garden Party, both $8 housemade cocktails made with Roots Divino Rosso.
Sodas, shrubs and other simple options
Substance, not sugar, is the focus of this roundup — but sometimes a straightforward soda does hit the spot (and yes, it’s possible to make them well). Black Sheep serves several flavors of house-made, not-too-sweet soda, including raspberry-lime, grapefruit, blueberry-lemon and verdito. Penny Farthing Restaurant also makes a sage and fig soda, plus seasonal shrubs.
On the subject of shrubs: These vinegar-based syrups are an excellent yet simple N/A option for those who prefer sour to sweet. Otherlands Beer has a vegetarian-friendly, Eastern European-inspired menu plus great outdoor seating and a variety of drinks (boozy and otherwise). In addition to tea service, French press coffee and N/A beer by Bitburger, their house-made seasonal shrub is always delightful.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
