Sober Freshers? We've Got Alcohol Free Bars Near You
- Camila Karalyte
- Oct 6
- 7 min read
You don't have to drink booze to have a good time. Find an alcohol free bar near you.
Alcohol used to be the centre of every Freshers' Week back in the day.
Groggy mornings, missed lectures, cringey pics — what a time to be alive!
But, here enters the rise of a more-sober lifestyle. According to our recent Freshers' report, 50.1% of soon-to-be uni students don't plan to drink during Freshers, and 70.7% are open to doing Freshers sober.
And whether you're planning on cutting out alcohol cold-turkey, or just opting for a non-alcoholic choice every once in a while, it's great to have a selection of great alcohol free bars to check out.
Check out how to stay safe during Freshers to make sure you're keeping care of yourself.
Alcohol free bars in the UK
In this day and age, we're lucky that many bars, pubs, and restaurants offer low-alcohol or non-alcoholic drinks for people who are sober or don't fancy drinking. But, it tends to be a meh-tasting imitation of a popular beer, or a non-alcoholic G&T that costs just as much as a bottle of alcoholic gin. Or they might even have a pricey mocktail list that maybe isn't worth your precious savings.
That's why we've gathered a list of sober bars across the UK, including some pubs and bars that aren't strictly sober, but offer a decent range of non-alcoholic drinks and mocktails.
Before you head out, drinking or not, it's important to line your stomach. We've got cheap and easy uni student meals and recipes for one (so you're not cooking enough pasta for the entirety of the UK).
Mocktail bars London
Not just an Indian restaurant, but the ultimate hang out. No matter what you're drinking, Dishoom offers delicious plates to help soak it all up. Actually drooling right now writing this…
They have a selection of 'teetotal tipples' that go hand-in-hand with their menu. From non-alcoholic Espresso Martini to sober Negroni's, Dishoom is the place for the sober and sober curious among you.
Locations:
42 Electric Boulevard, London, SW11 8BJ
13 Water Street, London, E14 5GX
22 Kingly Street, London, W1B 5QP
12 Upper St. Martin's Lane, London, WC2H 9FB
4 Derry Street, London, W8 5SE
5 Stable Street, London, N1C 4AB
7 Boundary Street, London, E2 7JE
Drinks with a view? Yes, please! Enjoy a hangover-free night with floor-to-ceiling views of the River Thames from inside the very stylish Skylon. They have an extensive menu of drinks, including a solid (and exciting) selection of non-alcoholic cocktails and drinks.
Sophisticated and sober.
Location:
Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
With several venues dotted around the country, The Cocktail Club is a soul-dancing haven with a lot to offer, including an array of mocktails and dry drinks. Get buzzed without the booze with their selection of 'mind-bending' cocktails featuring mood enhancing alternatives to spirits.
Locations:
78 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4N 4SJ (Mansion House)
9 Cabot Square, London, E14 (Canary Wharf)
224a Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8EB
4 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 8QJ
63 Worship Street, London, EC2A 2DU (Old Street)
29 Sclater Street, London, E1 6HT (Shoreditch)
61 Goodge Street, London, W1T 1TL
2B Eastcheap, London, EC4R 9AD (Monument)
206-210 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 4NR (Liverpool Street)
Alcohol free bars London
A shop and tasting room, Club Soda is the place to be for discovery and exploration into the low and no alcohol world. With a huge selection of over 150 low and no-alcohol brands, you'll definitely find a new favourite drink.
Every week, The Club Soda Tasting Room has a selection of drinks to sample for free, to help individuals discover the alternatives to boozy drinks.
Location:
39 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5RR
While it's not a completely sober bar, The Lucky Saint is an alcohol-free beer brand that opened up a pub in Marylebone with a third of the menu being made up of non-alcoholic drinks, including cocktails.
Location:
58 Devonshire Street, Marylebone, London, W1W 5EA
Alcohol free bars Manchester
An alcohol free bar sat in the Northern Quarter of Manchester, Hinterland is the place to go if you want to socialise without getting alcohol involved (because just one is never just the one).
With food offerings such as burgers and ramen, or small plates (hello bread and butter), Hinterland is a place you go to and stay the whole night. Try out the hip menu alongside an array of 0% drinks and alcohol-free cocktails, imitating classics like the Mojito or Espresso Martini.
Location:
16-20 Turner Street, Manchester, M4 1DZ (basement of Manchester Buddhist Centre)
An elegant little hangout spot, Atlas Bar might specialise in gins, but they also have a cracking selection of 'low & no' drinks.
Choose from 0% beers and ciders, spirits like 0% Gordons gin and Deadman's Finger Spiced Rum, or enjoy a cheeky mocktail reminiscent of the staples (Pornstar, Spritz, Pina Colada to name a few).
Location:
376 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4LY
Imagine a bar and restaurant set in a food hall setting, that's Exhibition. Whether you fancy dinner and a drink, a catch-up over cocktails, or a quick bite to eat, Exhibition is the place to go.
While most of the drinks menu caters for people who like a bev, there are several alcohol free options to choose from — still matching the cool vibes.
Location:
St George's House, 56 Peter St, Manchester M2 3NQ
Alcohol free bars Brighton
A feast for the senses, Blossoms is loud and bold, perfect for a vibey drink (with or without alcohol). The food menu is incredible, combining authentic flavours of Asia and Japan. They also have a solid selection of spirit-free cocktails to wet your palette, such as the Ninja Spritz and Japanese Lemonade.
Location:
17-19 Brighton Square, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1HD
Clementine & Co. prides itself on being one of Brighton's best cocktail bars, and their friendly and relaxed atmosphere is the ideal setting for those of us wanting somewhere a little more subdued to chill in.
Their drinks menu is full of classic cocktails and more, but their range of non-alcoholic cocktails is really impressive (why should the fun stop with booze?!). Enjoy a 0% take on staples like the Espresso Martini or Bloody Mary, or venture out to more exotic territory and try a 0% Tropic Thunder or Habanero Heatwave (a personal fave).
Location:
16 Duke St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1AH
Sober bars Aberdeen
Not much is known about SOBR yet, as the website states it'll be coming in Autumn 2025 (so very soon). What we do know is that it's Aberdeen's first entirely alcohol-free bar, offering a vibe and a community where you're not relying on alcohol (or experiencing the downsides of booze).
SOBR is going to be the hottest place to be, and you won't have any regrets the morning after. Keep checking back on their site and socials to see when they open! We'll be eagerly waiting…
Location:
39 Thistle Street, Aberdeen
Bang in the centre of Aberdeen, The Spiritualist is a haven of sensation and vibes. With a menu full of locally-sourced ingredients and an innovative cocktail menu, you'll be transported to somewhere beyond your wildest dreams. For those wanting a break from booze, The Spiritualist has a fun selection of virgin cocktails that won't have you regretting any decisions later in the night. Shirley Temple? Yes, please. In fact, I'll take two.
Location:
67 Langstane Pl, Aberdeen AB11 6EN
Sober bars Birmingham
Already mentioned for alcohol free bars in London, The Cocktail Club has made its way onto our list a second time, this time in Birmingham. Ay, if it's good, it's good.
A great choice of alcohol-free cocktails that won't have you missing out on the fun.
Location:
31 Temple St, Birmingham B2 5DB
Brunch by day, tapas by night. Cafe Lovelife is a little gem found in Digbeth, Birmingham. With an amazing array of breakfast, brunch and evening tapas (plus Sunday roasts), you'll be spending a lot of time here if you're local.
They have an elegant selection of mocktails to choose from, as well as your typical soft drinks and a menu of healthy smoothies. One of those places where you'll just want to order everything.
Location:
28 Floodgate St, Deritend, Birmingham B5 5SL
Sober bars Liverpool
Considered the UK's first "dry bar", The Brink opened in 2011 and has been a safe, recovery space for anyone affected by alcohol or drug addiction.
As well as offering support for those who need it, The Brink cafe is open to anyone and will always greet you with a warm welcome. They serve breakfast and lunch, as well as hot drinks, soft drinks, smoothies and mocktails.
Location:
15-21 Parr Street, Liverpool, L1 4JN
Head to Drink Aware for advice and support if you're struggling with the impact of alcohol.
The Book is a bar and eatery in West Derby, Liverpool. Their food menu is vast, with everything from small plates to pizzas to your classic mains like burgers and pasta. This is definitely a place to check out to keep your bellies full, but make sure you leave room for their menu of 'no & lo' drinks, including 0% top-name beer brands, spirits, and cocktails that focus on flavour and not booze.
Location:
6-8 Mill Ln, Liverpool L12 7JB
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