It’s a trend that’s been surpassing just January. 75 Hard has taken over and more and more people are opting to not drink. It’s something that can make going out difficult, trying to balance out staying track on your goals and still getting to have a fun drink. Here are a variety of places to grab “free spirited” drinks aka mocktails around Rochester and the Finger Lakes.

Located in the North Winton Village, Alt Bar is the only bar in Rochester that I am aware of that does not serve any alcohol at all. They have cocktails, wine, beer, shots, and light snacks. They opened in Fall of 2024 and would love to host you as you play around with sober options during Dry January and all year long!

If you take the drive over to the tip of Seneca Lake to Geneva to War Horse Brewing (at Three Brothers Wineries)you can do a soda flight of their “Iron Heart Craft Soda”. I was very thankful when I visited to have a non-alcoholic option to enjoy after drinking at multiple other tasting rooms on the property!

My parents and I did a trip to Fulkerson Winery on Seneca Lake and were so excited to see they had Grape Juice flights as an NA option! It Is the only winery I’ve seen In the region that offers grape juice In addition to wine, making this a unique stop!

For a unique sober experience, consider visiting Katboocha down on Railroad St. In the Public Market District. The “Booch Bar” has indoor and outdoor seating, you can enjoy by the glass or try out a kombucha flight.

Union Tavern boasts one of the most expansive menus of “Free Spirited” (non-alcoholic) cocktails (thank you Kelly for the inspiration for the title of this section for Dry January!) Located right across the street from Seabreeze, this unique, historical, and haunted tavern is definitely one to visit if you love local history! It was home to a Great Lakes pirate... like can you believe we had pirates on Lake Ontario?! It was also potentially a stop on the Underground Railroad.

I reviewed a VARIETY of online cocktail menus for local bars and restaurants, here are a few more that I felt had a solid selection of NA options (outside of soda and coffee).

Bitter Honey, 127 Railroad St. Suite #110, ROC

Neno’s, 642 Monroe Ave, ROC

Nerdvana, 50 Adventure Pl, ROC

Okay Beer Co., 126 West Main St, Honeoye Falls

The Playhouse, Swillburger, 820 South Clinton Ave, ROC

Salena’s, 302 North Goodman St, ROC