Options for the non-drinker in Auckland bars and restaurants used to be fairly limited (cola, orange juice, sparkling water, anyone?), but in recent years there has been a noticeable change. It’s more common now to see house-made sodas, non-alcoholic cocktails, kombucha, zero-alcohol beer and even no-alcohol wine as part of a venue’s drinks offering.

A study released by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research earlier this year showed that since pre-Covid times (the start of 2019), there has been a 750 per cent increase in the litres of non- and low-alcohol beer consumed by New Zealanders. Beyond statistics, there is anecdotal reporting that more people are making conscious decisions to consume less alcohol – not just because they are pregnant, on medication or the designated driver. (This is especially the case among gen Z.)

Lisa King has definitely noticed the change. According to the founder of AF Drinks and The Curious AF Bottle Shop (the only bricks-and-mortar stores in the country selling only alcohol-free drinks) the “category really didn’t exist two years ago. Now every Countdown has a shelf dedicated to alcohol-free beverages."

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“I think part of the problem was that venues previously saw non-drinkers as low-value customers,” King adds. “They basically used to drink a couple of soft drinks and then water. But now places are starting to understand that if they create something beautiful, non-drinkers will consume every round, just like those drinking alcohol.”

King says people are looking for something grown-up and sophisticated so they can feel like they’re part of the social occasion, even if they’re not drinking. “Our [non-alcoholic take on the] Aperol Spritz is a great example … Pour it into a giant glass with ice and a big slice of orange and non-drinkers can have the same ritual and experience as everyone else.”

Sarah Frizzell, owner and director of The Lucky Taco, who hasn’t drunk alcohol for more than a year, has really noticed a change.

“Auckland is doing zero-alcohol drinks brilliantly now. At Kol in Ponsonby Road, I had the Donut Old Fashioned and it was delicious,” she says. The drink is made with Seedlip Grove 42, glazed donut, house-made non-alcoholic cherry liqueur and coffee bitters and garnished with toasted almond coated in dark chocolate.

“It felt special and looked special, which I think might be half the thing. Part of socialising and feeling comfortable is ‘fitting in’ isn’t it? Going with the flow … So getting non-alcoholic options that just blend in with your alcohol-drinking friends with zero fuss is good. At Casita Miro on Waiheke, I had a Salted Raspberry and Chamomile Fizzy, which was delicious, and I loved that I had my drink in the same glass as everyone else’s spritz – same colour too.”

Frizzell also highly rates the Brain Food mocktail at Baduzzi and the Hibiscus and Mint from Pasta and Cuore. “This totally outshone everyone else’s glass of wine – all the wine drinkers wanted a taste of mine!”

Hugo Baird, owner of Hotel Ponsonby and co-owner of Lilian, has noticed the shift to low- or non-alcoholic from behind the bar.

“People are choosing these options for quite a variety of reasons and often they will alternate between full-strength and half-strength to lengthen the time they can socialise – it means they can have a few more drinks and less of a slow start the next day.” Baird also feels there’s been an evolution in broader attitudes towards not drinking.

“[People] can order a non-alcohol beer or cocktail and no one would be the wiser – if that’s what they wish. But actually, for the most part, I feel like the days of antagonising someone over their choice of drink … are gone.”

Hotel Ponsonby’s sales breakdown reflects Baird’s anecdotal examples. “We have sold around four times as many non-alcoholic beers as we did in our first year, which has led us to increase the number of offerings and also add a half-strength beer on tap too. We also use Lyre’s non-alcoholic spirits to recreate some of our bestselling cocktails and gin and tonics.”

Here are some places worth considering if you’re sober-curious, alcohol-free or just want to alternate your drinks.

Ahi
Ahi has four delicious non-alcoholic cocktails, two no-alcohol beer options, juices, soft drinks and kombucha.

Atelier
With two wine options, kombucha, a Seedlip cocktail, a no-alcohol beer, an alcohol-free gin and tonic and sodas, there’s plenty of choice for the non-drinker here.

Bar Magda
Bar Magda can make any of the four cocktails from its Something Sour menu alcohol-free. And if you ask, they may be able to convert some of their other cocktails, depending on availability that night. They also have a great selection of East Imperial tonics and soft drinks.

Hotel Ponsonby
Hotel Ponsonby has a selection of non-alcoholic beers, virgin cocktails and gin and tonics, plus the usual soft drinks and juices.

Inca
Inca Ponsonby has four non-alcoholic cocktails on the drinks menu – two Seedlip creations for those looking for a non-alcoholic spritzer or G&T – and two additional cocktails created by bar manager, Oka. Asahi Zero is on offer as an alternative for beer lovers, as well as a selection of juices and soft drinks.

The Lodge Bar and Dining
The Lodge has a whole page at the end of its drinks menu for soft drinks, teas, mixers and tonics, but in the main part you’ll also find two non-alcoholic cocktail options, one wine and a beer choice.

Pasture
Pasture will match your entire degustation to its original house-made non-alcoholic drinks (distillations, ferments, teas). These are also available next door at Boxer.