For festive fun without the alcohol (or FOMO), try these Toronto bars, restaurants, and shops.
Toronto’s non-alcoholic drink scene has exploded, with restaurants, bars and even breweries offering creative and delicious zero-proof cocktails, wines and beers.
If you’re sober, sober-curious—or just looking to abstain this festive season into Dry January—here are 20 must-try Toronto experiences that prove you don’t need booze to have a fantastic time.
1. Stock up for entertaining
Looking for ready-to-drink mocktails, de-alcoholized wine and zero-proof spirits? You’ll find hundreds of choices at Sobr Market’s three Toronto locations and Bevvy’s bottle shop in Kensington Market.
2. Shop for zero-alcohol hostess gifts
Located on the western edge of Queen Street West, Cocktail Emporium is a one-stop shop. You’ll find everything you need to create a thoughtful basket for the sober or sober-curious, from ingredients like non-alcoholic spirits, syrups and bitters to shiny bar tools for shaking and stirring, ice cube moulds and beautiful designer glassware.
3. Learn to make your own fancy cocktails
This year, change the meaning of BYOB to “Be Your Own Bartender.” The fun small-group mixology classes at ZERO Cocktail Bar in Cabbagetown teach you the secrets behind making premium, full-bodied drinks that are sure to impress your guests.
4. Try a local non-alcoholic beer on tap
Some of Toronto’s best craft brewers have added low- and no-alc IPAs, sours and stouts. You can even enjoy some of them on tap.
Visit Bellwoods Brewpub on the ever-hip Ossington strip for a Jelly King Dry Hopped Sour, grab a pint of Hazy Pale Ale at the groovy Collective Arts Taproom downtown or sample a flight of Stuntin’ at Mascot on bustling King Street West or chill Etobicoke.
5. Let the bartender surprise you
Mother Cocktail Bar is an intimate spot on Queen West that regularly appears on lists of the best bars in North America due to its bespoke drink menu.
They always have carefully curated NA selections, but they really shine when you let them craft something just for you. The holidays can be stressful, so grab a seat and order their “Dealer’s Choice” non-alcoholic option to make your life a little smoother.
6. Do a hot chocolate crawl in the Distillery Historic District
The festive Distillery Winter Village is a Toronto tradition. Check it out with a hot chocolate (or two or… more!) in hand from Soma chocolatier or Balzac’s.
7. Attend Honolulu happy hour
One of the most fun—and most affordable—non-alcoholic drink menus in the city is at Lulu Bar, a cute and colourful bar-resto in The Well. Shake off the winter chills with a tropical mocktail like the pretty Coconut Cooler, made with pink lemonade, toasted coconut, sea salt and lemon, or grab one of their 0% ABV beers.
8. Get ready for a party with a drink detox
The luxury nail salon Majesty’s Pleasure (with multiple locations across town) is known for an extensive menu of drinks you can enjoy while being pampered, and a lot of them are no-alcohol. Mocktails, yes, but also kombucha, matcha lattes and cold-pressed juices.
9. Indulge in a special night out at a MICHELIN-Star restaurant
Quetzal and Osteria Giulia both scored a coveted MICHELIN Star each for high-quality cooking. The fine dining hot spots also offer creative, robust mocktail menus that are worth the splurge.
10. Discover some sober drink recipes
Drinkers and non-drinkers alike can learn from For the Love of Cocktail by celebrated Toronto bartender Evelyn Chick. The book includes low-alcohol, zero-proof and cannabis-inclusive drink recipes. Pick it up at Chick’s own sober-friendly Parkdale snack bar, Simpl Things.
11. Grab a drink with a view
Book a date night or an overnight at The Writers Room on the roof of the Park Hyatt Toronto or Valerie at Hotel X. Both are great hotel bars with fine non-alcoholic drinks and stunning skyline views.
12. Satisfy your sweet tooth
Enjoy a night out at a Halal restaurant that’s completely alcohol-free. Karahi Boys (multiple Toronto locations) serves Pakistani cuisine and colourful, sugary drinks like kulfi shakes, virgin mango mojitos and, of course, lassi!
13. Join your friends at a tiki bar
Parkdale’s Shameful Tiki Room is known for drinks that pack a (rum) punch. But you can still partake with their alcohol-free cocktails like Nobody Gets Lei’d.
14. Fuel your holiday shopping
Don’t lose your edge if you’ve got power shopping on the agenda. Yorkdale Shopping Centre’s Moxies, Joeys and Earls locations all have impressive mocktail menus.
Meanwhile, the Toronto Eaton Centre’s new Queens Cross Food Hall has its own bar serving non-alcoholic Caesar, mule and negroni drinks.
15. Sample zero-proof spirits at a tasting bar
The Richmond Street location of Sobr Market, an alcohol-free bottle shop chain, has a tasting bar where you can try before you buy, with unique drinks from around the world, from spiced rum and tequilas to functional beverages like Three Spirit’s Nightcap elixir.
16. Host a boozeless board game night
Snakes and Lattes is a great alternative to a bar for a group hang or date night. The Board Game Café (with locations in the Annex, Little Italy and Midtown) charges $20 for All You Can Play and unlimited non-alcoholic drinks!
17. Sing your heart out at Karaoke
Bar Mordecai is a Wes Anderson-inspired bar in Little Portugal. It boasts karaoke rooms and serves quality non-alcoholic drinks like cans of Sencha Tea and Yuzu by local brewery Godspeed.
18. Go for a sober run
Balance out the holiday treats with a run through the city with Sober Striders Run Club.
19. Ring in the New Year at a sober dinner party
An elegant gourmet dinner paired with zero-proof wines, craft cocktails and a non-alcoholic champagne toast at midnight is just the thing. Try this one hosted by ZERO Cocktail Bar in Cabbagetown.
20. Sign up for a Dry January event
Follow the Sober Social Club to keep the booze-free life going into the new year. They host fun gatherings in the city for the sober and sober-curious.
