Washington, DC
Zero proof in Washington.
The alcohol-free bars and non-alcoholic bottle shops worth knowing.
3 places in view
Washington, DC has two bars where the whole menu is zero proof and a bottle shop for stocking up at home, which puts it ahead of a lot of bigger cities. One is DC's first alcohol-free bar, with a Filipino bistro menu; the other is an LGBTQ+ bar and cafe founded sober. Here's our list of non-alcoholic bars in DC and the bottles worth buying.
Sober bars are the easiest way to go out without drinking: every drink on the menu is available to you, and nobody asks why you're not having a real one. They're also good for mixed groups, because the drinks are made to be interesting on their own terms. Menus and hours change, so check each venue's own site before you go.
Where to go
Binge Bar
DC's first alcohol-free bar, at 506 H St NE, with a Filipino bistro menu. A proper food menu makes it an easy dinner plan as well as a drinks stop, and it means you can take friends who drink without anyone feeling short-changed. If you only visit one sober bar in DC, it's a strong place to start. Binge Bar
Spark Social House
An LGBTQ+ bar and cafe at 2009 14th St NW, founded sober, with a full zero-proof menu. Being a bar and cafe means it works at different times of day, and a full zero-proof menu means you're not limited to one or two options. Spark Social House
Plant Magic Bottle Shop
A non-alcoholic wellness boutique and bottle shop in Union Market, at 1309 5th St NE. Pair it with a trip to the market and pick up a few bottles to try at home. Plant Magic Bottle Shop
Ordering well at a regular bar
When you're at a bar that serves alcohol, ask for the zero-proof list rather than "a mocktail," and say what you like: bitter, sour or not too sweet. If there's no list, name a classic you enjoy, such as a Negroni, a spritz or a mule, and ask whether they can make it without alcohol. Bars that stock a non-alcoholic spirit or aperitif can usually do more than soda and juice.
Planning a night out
The three places on this map are close enough to plan an evening around. Binge Bar on H St NE and Plant Magic in Union Market are both in Northeast, so a market visit and dinner fit into one trip. Spark Social House is across town on 14th St NW, and its bar-and-cafe setup makes it an easy choice for an afternoon or an early evening.
Stock up at home
A few bottles from our catalogue that are easy wins, including one from just up the road:
- Flying Dog Deep Fake IPA: Flying Dog's first non-alcoholic beer, a smooth-drinking IPA from Frederick, Maryland.
- St. Agrestis Phony Negroni: a ready-made non-alcoholic Negroni. Pour it over a big cube with an orange twist.
- Ghia Le Spritz: Ghia and soda in a can. Bitter, dry and properly adult.
- BOLLE Blanc de Blancs: a dry, toasty non-alcoholic sparkling wine for anything worth celebrating.
For more on bitter aperitifs, our non-alcoholic spritz guide is a good next step.
Questions
Are there non-alcoholic bars in DC?
Yes. Binge Bar on H St NE is DC's first alcohol-free bar, and Spark Social House on 14th St NW is an LGBTQ+ bar and cafe founded sober, with a full zero-proof menu.
Where are the best mocktails in DC?
Binge Bar and Spark Social House both serve fully zero-proof menus, so everything on offer is alcohol-free. Binge Bar also has a Filipino bistro menu if you want dinner.
Where can I buy non-alcoholic drinks in Washington, DC?
Plant Magic Bottle Shop in Union Market is a non-alcoholic wellness boutique and bottle shop.
Are sober bars in DC only for people in recovery?
No. Anyone can go, whether they don't drink, are taking a break or just want a night off. Many people visit simply because the drinks are good.