An Opinionated Guide to Seattle’s Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
The Cheeky & Dry Guide to Non-Alcoholic Cocktails in Seattle
An unapologetically opinionated, evolving list of where to drink (and where to skip) if you’re not drinking.
Last updated: May 2026
Curated by Kirstin Vracko, owner of Cheeky & Dry Non-Alcoholic Bottle Shop — expert in adult non-alcoholic beverages and two-time judge for the World Alcohol-Free Awards, the largest alcohol-free competition in the world.
Seattle’s non-alcoholic scene is finally starting to show up—but let’s be honest, it’s still wildly inconsistent.
I don’t have time (and neither do you) to bounce around the city hoping a bar will have something decent to drink. So I’m doing the work for you.
This is my personal, opinionated guide to the places that are getting it right, the ones that are trying, and the ones that are still missing the mark.
This is not a complete list. It never will be. I’ve been putting this off for way too long trying to make it perfect—and that’s just not how this works. So here we are. This is the start.
These are my opinions, based on tasting well over 1,000 non-alcoholic beverages and running Cheeky & Dry. You might not agree—and that’s fine. That’s part of the conversation.
Nothing here is fixed. Places will move. Some will improve. Some will disappoint me again.
This guide is for everyone—not just sober people. It’s for anyone who wants a sophisticated, interesting drink and believes inclusion at the table matters.
Your time is valuable. Your drink should be too.
How This Guide Works
Top Shelf — Understands the Assignment
These are the places doing it right. Thoughtful, intentional non-alcoholic programs with real cocktails, quality spirits, and staff who know how to deliver a great experience.
On The Rocks — Effort & Potential
There’s real effort here—and we respect that. These spots are trying, and in some cases very close, but something is missing.
Needs more Spirit — You Can Do Better
These are the misses. Either the options aren’t there, the execution falls flat, or the experience doesn’t feel inclusive.
Top Shelf — Understands the Assignment
Baker’s — Ballard
This darling little tucked-away gem is a jewel. While their printed menu only provides a couple of non-alcoholic options—and bonus points for offering a low ABV option—the real standout here is the bar staff.
They are excellent at offering non-alcoholic cocktail options that aren’t listed on the menu in a way that feels welcoming, knowledgeable, and inclusive. That matters. A lot.
The atmosphere is delightful, warm, and inviting, and there are options for socializing that we honestly haven’t found in a while since not drinking. It feels like a place you want to stay, not just pass through.
And the food? Delicious. Consistently.
We are huge fans. Well done, Baker’s—we never hesitate to visit.
Easy Street Records — West Seattle
https://www.easystreetonline.com
Not only does Easy Street Records have some of the best breakfast in town, they’ve made almost all of their cocktails alcohol optional.
They now have spirits for each of their cocktails except the rum-based ones—which we excuse because we just aren’t pleased with most of the non-alcoholic rums out there.
Their owners are thoughtful and excel at including everyone at the table. You don’t feel like you’re ordering something separate—you’re part of the same experience.
Highly recommend this fun, music-forward vinyl shop, restaurant, and bar to anyone looking for a good time anytime you’re in West Seattle. Well done—and we’re cheering you on.
Esters — Fremont
Esters—what a surprise.
This is a tiny Mediterranean restaurant tucked into the center of Fremont, and for a place with limited space in both the restaurant and on the menu, these guys understand the assignment.
Great Pathfinder cocktail—a riff on an Old Fashioned that was a bit on the sweet side, but could easily be cut with some citrus (Y said it was doing some cool shit in his mouth).
The rest of the non-alcoholic options were mocktails—but not sad ones.
For a small restaurant, I’m so impressed that they’ve put effort into including those who don’t drink alcohol but still want to feel part of the experience.
On a side note, as a gluten-free girl—double the points for offering gluten-free options for almost everything on their menu.
We LOVE this darling place and will recommend it all day.
Liberty Bar — Capitol Hill
This Capitol Hill institution definitely belongs in Tier 1.
As one of the earliest adopters of non-alcoholic cocktails, this bar offers everything we’re looking for. Great vibe, a delicious non-alcoholic cocktail list, and they also feature low ABV cocktails—which don’t get nearly enough attention but are a great way to sit between a heavy alcoholic drink and a clearly non-alcoholic option.
Their Pathfinder, fig syrup, peach bitters, and ginger beer cocktail has long been one of my favorite all-time cocktails.
Their sushi is also terrific.
Great option for an afternoon stop or to cozy up for an intimate conversation in the evening. We highly recommend checking out this Seattle institution.
Life on Mars — Capitol Hill
One of the GOATs in the Seattle non-alcoholic cocktail scene.
This Capitol Hill groovy spot features vegan food—which we aren’t totally into, but can absolutely appreciate—and a whopping six non-alcoholic cocktails on their menu, all thoughtfully curated.
With a wealth of non-alcoholic knowledge, these guys can make pretty much whatever non-alcoholic cocktail suits your fancy.
They also have over 6,000 vinyl albums in their space, which brings an amazing vibe.
Hang out, relax, and enjoy the beauty of a venue that actually cares.
We love Life on Mars and highly recommend.
Lioness — Phinney Ridge
https://www.lionessseattle.com
This Renee Erickson hidden gem has absolutely hit the mark—and a huge reason for that is their fantastic mixologist, Hudson.
Not only does this man make incredible alcoholic cocktails, but he’s gone a step further and embraced non-alcoholic cocktails with genuine enthusiasm and creativity. And trust me, you can feel the difference when someone actually cares.
I’ve now been to Lioness seven times, which for me—as a business owner and someone who constantly wants to try somewhere new—is basically a record. Hudson has never once failed to deliver a craveable non-alcoholic cocktail, and I am deeply grateful for that level of consistency and care.
This is also a tiny restaurant with very limited space, which honestly makes their program even more impressive. They still manage to offer three gorgeous seasonal non-alcoholic cocktails that feel thoughtful, elevated, and exciting to order.
Lioness is exactly why bigger restaurants have absolutely no excuse anymore. If a small space like this can build a non-alcoholic cocktail program that people are genuinely excited about, everyone else can too.
Look and learn.
Huge props to Lioness for getting it right.
Rob Roy — Downtown
We had the pleasure of visiting Rob Roy for the first time recently, and our socks were knocked off with the care and effort that went into our cocktails.
Three Spirits threw an event there, and it was a pleasure to be a part of it.
The owner, Anu Apte, has been sober for years, and while we didn’t get the opportunity to meet her, we were so impressed with the intentionality of her non-alcoholic cocktail menu.
This is a spirit-forward bar with a cozy vibe that begs for lengthy conversations, and it’s rare to find such a beautifully curated non-alcoholic cocktail list in the city.
Almost like a kid in a candy store, I wanted one of everything.
Thank you, Rob Roy, for making us feel included and special.
Sabine — Ballard
Well done, Sabine.
This is exactly the kind of experience we want to see more of in Seattle. Their menu has excellent variety: non-alcoholic wine, sparkling white wine, two beer options, and three different sophisticated non-alcoholic cocktails. They even include a kava option, which is rare and honestly exciting to see on a restaurant menu.
Everything felt thoughtful, grown-up, and actually worth ordering. This was delightful, and I would order again in a heartbeat.
I also LOVE that they can make most of their seasonal G&Ts non-alcoholic, with non-alcoholic gin included. That kind of flexibility matters because it lets non-drinkers participate in the full bar program instead of being pushed off to the side with a sad little consolation drink.
The food was great, the atmosphere was inviting and well done, and it’s a fantastic date-night spot.
So far, Sabine wins for best non-alcoholic cocktail experience in Ballard.
Screwdriver — Belltown
This was a fun night.
We were invited to an event by Pathfinder, and Screwdriver did not disappoint. This dark, downstairs, rocking bar is a true Seattle institution and so fun to visit.
Since giving up alcohol, we’ve taken to seeing as much live music as we can, and we are usually disappointed with non-alcoholic options—but not here.
We had excellent non-alcoholic cocktails (yes, skewed toward Pathfinder, but still), and they also have great non-alcoholic beer options.
The vibe is cool, and even for old people like us, we were able to thoroughly enjoy this throwback to our fun drinking days—just smarter now.
Shibuya Listening Lounge — Ballard
One of the coolest venues in Seattle—Cheeky’s opinion.
This one-of-a-kind space not only has a great mid-century modern vibe, but offers a full experience. They specialize in listening to a full vinyl album in one sitting, which just doesn’t happen much anymore.
As someone who grew up in the 70s, this takes me back to actually sitting and enjoying music the way it was meant to be heard.
And yes—we’re here to talk about drinks. They’ve done it right.
Three or four non-alcoholic cocktails on the menu, thoughtful spirit choices, and we were genuinely tickled with the options.
This is a have-a-drink-before, enjoy-the-experience, and have-another-after kind of place.
We highly recommend—though slightly worried we won’t be able to get in once the word gets out.
Sunny Hill — Ballard
https://www.sunnyhillseattle.com
For a little tucked-away pizza spot in the city, Sunny Hill absolutely excels at offering cocktails for everyone.
They have three excellent, spirit-forward non-alcoholic cocktails on their menu with a space all their own, and bartenders who actually know how to make a non-alcoholic cocktail. That should not feel rare, but here we are.
We were tickled to be able to have a date night here that felt inclusive and welcoming. All three cocktails are worth ordering, and if one isn’t quite your taste, the staff can easily guide you toward a recommendation.
We appreciate their attention to detail and are so grateful to have this fantastic option near our house.
Thanks so much, Sunny Hill. We appreciate you and definitely recommend this place.
On The Rocks — Effort & Potential
Conor Byrne Pub — Ballard
For a live music pub, Conor Byrne is putting in more effort than most—and we respect that.
There are multiple non-alcoholic options available, including house-made shrubs and a small list of NA cocktails. That alone puts them ahead of a lot of similar venues, especially in the live music space where NA programs are often overlooked entirely.
That said, the drinks themselves still lean fairly basic. They get the job done, but they’re not quite delivering the level of structure, balance, and interest that would make them memorable. This feels like a program that’s in progress—there’s intention, but it hasn’t fully come together yet.
The good news is the foundation is there. With a bit more attention to spirit selection, layering of flavors, and overall creativity, this could easily move into Tier 1. This is a place we’re rooting for.
Six Seven — The Edgewater
www.edgewaterhotel.com/six-seven/
Six Seven (giggle)—we see you trying.
Six non-alcoholic cocktails on the menu is not nothing, especially for a luxury hotel. That said, this one lands in Tier 2 for a very specific reason: the spirit selection.
With all the new and exciting non-alcoholic spirits out there, the choices here feel subpar, and that translates directly into the cocktails.
They look good. They just don’t taste as elevated as they should.
As one of the best luxury hotels in Seattle, the non-alcoholic cocktail menu should absolutely reflect that level of sophistication—and right now, it just doesn’t.
Do better, Six Seven, and we will happily move you up the list.
Stampede — Fremont
https://www.stampedecocktailclub.com
While they do have a full page on their menu for non-alcoholic cocktails, we are putting them at Tier 2.
We have been here in the past when they have had really great NA cocktails, but the cocktails on the current list were pretty lackluster and uninspired.
What they need is an upgrade in spirit options. For as much effort as they put into their alcoholic cocktails, the non-alcoholic options could be vastly improved—and we would move them up in a heartbeat.
The bartender was enthusiastic but not well versed in non-alcoholic options and didn’t provide alternatives when I said I wasn’t excited about the menu.
They also only had one non-alcoholic beer option—Athletic Light—which, if you’ve had it before, is basically water with a little hoppy flavoring.
For a place that has had a name for non-alcoholic cocktails and has rocked in the past, these guys need to up their game.
The Barking Dog — Ballard
https://thebarkingdogalehouse.com
We feel obligated to include The Barking Dog as it is our local eatery—just half a block from our house—and we LOVE the people there.
While it doesn’t deliver what we would like for non-alcoholic options, they have tried a bit, and we are hoping this helps push them further so we can give them a Tier 1 spot.
They do have non-alcoholic beer options, and at my insistence, they have Pathfinder behind the bar.
Come on, Barking Dog. You have great staff that can absolutely make great non-alcoholic cocktails if given the tools.
We know you can do it, and we are cheering you on.
Tractor Tavern — Ballard
We love seeing live music at The Tractor.
While we give them props for having a few different options, they are still not offering non-alcoholic cocktail options—only canned ready-to-drink options.
These don’t have to be hard. Put Pathfinder behind your bar, mix it with ginger beer, and we would happily order that all night and pay a premium for it.
I’ve taken to ordering Something & Nothing Yuzu soda with bitters, and it’s good—but I would really like something more and to feel more included.
We will still visit because we love the vibe, but you can do better.
Needs More Spirit — You Can Do Better
Matador
https://matadorrestaurants.com
Matador gets points for at least putting non-alcoholic margaritas on the menu. The menu and bartender both said a few of their margaritas could be made into a non-alcoholic option, which sounded promising.
So we ordered one.
Then the bartender said they were out of non-alcoholic tequila.
Yay for them that sometimes they have that option, but really? Is it that hard to keep a bottle of non-alcoholic tequila in stock if you’re putting NA margaritas on the menu?
What made it worse was that the bartender didn’t have any other ideas and was very nonchalant about the whole thing. No backup plan, no suggestion, no effort to make us feel like the option mattered.
This one was another disappointment. Having the idea is a start, but execution matters.
Pono Ranch — Ballard
We were super excited to visit this great, kind of hidden venue in Ballard. Our friend was playing with the band there, and it felt like a great opportunity to bring them to our customers.
Unfortunately, there were no non-alcoholic cocktails on the menu, and when I asked the bartender for options, they suggested a soda—with a bit of a laugh.
This is not the place to go if you don’t drink and want to feel included.
They did have a non-alcoholic beer, but as someone who is gluten free and not much of a beer drinker, there really weren’t any non-alcoholic adult options for me. I ended up having my standard bitters and soda, and while we enjoyed our friend’s band, we won’t be back unless they decide to step it up.
Super sad about this one.
Stoneburner — Ballard
This one is frustrating because it really shouldn’t be.
The space is beautiful, the bar program is strong, and they clearly know how to make great cocktails—which is exactly why the non-alcoholic side feels like such an afterthought.
They are using NA spirits, which is a start, but the drinks themselves lean overly simple and don’t have the same level of thought or complexity as the rest of the menu.
It feels like two different levels of effort—and it’s noticeable.
You’re close. But close isn’t the goal.
The Ballard Cut — Ballard
The Ballard Cut is a beautifully designed space with a serious cocktail program.
They do have DHOS behind the bar, which shows some awareness, but it hasn’t translated into anything meaningful on the menu.
“We can make something” isn’t enough anymore.
Guests shouldn’t have to guide the experience or build their own drink from scratch.
At this level, you should already be ready.
Help Us Build This Guide
This is just the beginning.
I know this list is small—I’ve been putting it off for ages trying to make it perfect, and that’s never going to happen.
So now I need your help.
Send me your favorites. Send me the places that are doing it right. Send me the ones that are trying. And yes—send me the ones that need to step it up.
If you’re a bar or restaurant and you have a non-alcoholic program you’re proud of, I want to come see it. Send me an email and let's get together. I want you to be on this list.
We don’t get out of our neighborhood as much as we’d like, and the best way to build something meaningful is together.
Let’s make Seattle a place people talk about for doing this well.
contact@cheekyanddry.com
206.999.5236
Work With Cheeky & Dry
Cheeky & Dry offers consulting services for bars and restaurants looking to improve their non-alcoholic offerings.
We offer both:
- Non-alcoholic menu audits
- Full non-alcoholic cocktail program build-outs including distributor guidance and staff training
Because there is absolutely no reason for bad non-alcoholic cocktails anymore.