Health. Wellness. Pregnancy. Taste. Recovery. The personal motives driving low- and no-alcohol consumption may vary, but a constant remains: more Americans are kicking alcohol to the curb, and Pittsburghers are no exception. A number of Pittsburgh’s bars and restaurants have stepped up to meet the growing demand for mocktails with creativity.
Best Places for Mocktails in Pittsburgh
Bar Botanico
4325 Butler St, Lawrenceville
A Lawrenceville staple, this botanical-themed cocktail bar is akin to stepping inside a greenhouse; vines hang above your head as you sip. Here you’ll find several sober-curious-friendly cocktails that feature non-alcoholic spirits like Seedlip and Cut Above. My favorite? Their Espresso Martini. It rivals the real deal any day.
Bridges & Bourbon
930 Penn Ave, Downtown
This downtown restaurant features a rotating menu of well-crafted n/a cocktails that, according to staff, are extremely popular. Kick back among swanky, modern decor in this setting known to attract business meetings, convention attendees, and dinner dates alike.
The Commoner
458 Strawberry Way, Downtown
With a sober bartender at the helm, you can trust that this non-alcoholic menu is truly outstanding. Their innovative mocktail program is spearheaded by Kyle Turner, who thoughtfully designs a rotating lineup of beautiful, clever non-alcoholic cocktails. Their menu also features a couple of n/a beers. Come summer, when their seasonal Biergarten reopens, you can enjoy sweeping views while sipping drinks from that same n/a menu on the rooftop of Hotel Monaco.
Emerson’s
435 Market St, Market Square
Tucked away on the second floor of the building, this spot is an absolute vibe: from the eclectic seating and the soft, romantic feel of the decor to the candlelit tables and fireplace burning in the background. Abstainers can choose from a handful of creative mocktails, each featuring a non-alcoholic spirit. Using Free Spirits Gin Alternative in some of their drinks gives them a leg up on other establishments, as most don’t dabble with gin.
The Forge
3345 Penn Ave, Lawrenceville
Velvet couches and oversized armchairs create a beguiling ambience at this Lawrenceville lounge. With more than a few inventive mocktails on their menu, the bartenders are no stranger to crafting something spectacular. Try their Bartenders Choice option, which gives them the green light to create a unique drink just for you, based on your flavor preferences.
Hidden Harbor
1708 Shady Ave, Squirrel Hill
If it’s a truly show-stopping experience you’re after, there’s only one establishment that fits the bill. Known for their complex, exotic menu that highlights tropical flavors, Hidden Harbor crafts their n/a cocktails with unparalleled flair (read: their Bala Bite mocktail served in a flaming skull). Couple their expertise behind the bar with house-made fruit juices and unique glassware that feels more like art and you’ve got yourself a winning mocktail program.
Jackworth Ginger Beer
6615 Hamilton Ave, East End
Another Pittsburgh trailblazer on the n/a scene is this newly opened East End gem. Pennsylvania’s first modern ginger beer brewery churns out batches of fresh ginger beer by day and acts as a bar by night. The funky, eclectic space sports a full cocktail list made with PA spirits, beer, cider, wine and some great mocktails, obviously made with their own ginger beer. Available in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties, their product makes for a killer beverage all on its own. Stop in for a drink, then take home a four-pack of their Non-Alcoholic Spicy Ginger Beer, made with habanero juice and fresh organic ginger.
Lawrence Hall
4609 Butler St, Lawrenceville
Call me biased, but the non-alcoholic menu at this newly opened Lawrenceville spot is a favorite. Sure, it’s partly because I helped develop the mocktail program here, but LH also earns points for hyper-local sourcing, house-made syrups, and original recipes. The bar at LH, named Dear James, and several of the drinks, pay homage to Captain James Lawrence, the neighborhood namesake. Craft mocktails and local non-alcoholic beer pair perfectly with the cuisine of LH’s four restaurants.
Margaux
5947 Penn Avenue, East Liberty
A café by day and a cocktail bar by night, Margaux features artwork adorning every inch of wall space, cozy couches in the main dining area, and a large U-shaped bar. Bartenders use their house-made simple syrups in cocktails and mocktails, ensuring your n/a drink was given just as much care and attention as its alcoholic counterpart. Their menu also features n/a beers you won’t find elsewhere, like Clausthaler Dry Hopped.
Shorty’s Pins x Pints
353 North Shore Dr, North Shore
Mini golf not your thing? How about duckpin bowling and arcade games? At the North Shore location of Shorty’s, you’ll find just that, alongside a plethora of other entertainment (giant Jenga, anyone?). Whether it’s family fun you’re after, a company outing or a night on the town, you’ll fit right in here. With a large non-alcoholic menu full of diverse options, there’s something for everyone. Most drinks here use non-alcoholic spirits, like their best-selling Strawberry MOCK-ARITA featuring Seedlip Garden. Try their witty take on a classic n/a beverage, Don’t Call Me Shirley, made with Filthy Black Cherries. It’s delicious!
Two Frays Brewery
5113 Penn Ave, Garfield
Maybe you wrote off breweries long ago, frustrated with the lack of options for non-drinkers, but Two Frays changes everything. They launched their You Do You Non-Alcoholic beer series in 2023 and are currently the only manufacturer of non-alcoholic beer in the state. They always have at least one of their n/a beers on tap and plenty of n/a cans to bring home. My favorite is the You Do You West Coast IPA. Note: The brewery goes entirely non-alcoholic every first Monday of the month.
Story by Katrina Tomacchio / Photography by Laura Petrilla
Katrina Tomacchio, a Boston restaurateur with a history of helping bars and restaurants bring non-alcoholic offerings to life, weighs in on the sober-curious scene in her new home of Pittsburgh. Tomacchio shares her favorite non-alcoholic beverages from around the city and highlights the spots with mocktail menus that really shine, proving there’s plenty of places to enjoy sans alcohol!
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