San Antonio's bar scene is catering to the sober-curious crowd with mocktails flying off menus year-round, not just during Dry January, as the city's mixologists concoct alcohol-free alternatives that hold their own in taste and sophistication. Take for example Steve Mahoney, a local service industry veteran and proprietor of hotspots such as Francis Bogside and Blue Box, who's been a frontrunner in the mocktail movement, telling Express News “We are selling more nonalcoholic drinks in Dry January and expect a dip in February, but I think it’s going to have a little bit more legs this year,” and he stands among a growing number of bar owners who see the merit in offering booze-free options.
While Dry January prompts many to lay off the liquor, the phenomenon seems to be part of a wider drinking diet among younger generations, with millennials reportedly cutting down their intake from an average of five to three drinks per week, per Express News, a sentiment echoed by Andy Palacios, owner of downtown watering hole Tony's Siesta, who noted "With Gen-X and some older millennials, if you go out to a bar and you're not drinking, you'll get teased a little bit but definitely with the younger crowd, there is no sense of judgement," recognizing a cultural shift toward a more inclusive and judgment-free nightlife experience.
The trend isn't limited to Mahoney's and Palacios' establishments, across San Antonio more bartenders are shaking up zero-alcohol concoctions for the sober and sober-curious, with spots like Sojourn, La Ruina, and Pharm Table showcasing their own takes on mocktails; what’s more, the first sober bar of the city, Hash Vegan Eats, serves up booze-less beverages with panache, demonstrating a clear demand for spirited drinks without the spirit, according to Axios.
The ethos is catching on across town, River Sun on the San Antonio River offers mocktails, The Moon's Daughters serves a popular 'espressno martini,’ and even The Modernist, known for its "no-menu" approach, crafts custom alcohol-free drinks for those who ask, expanding options for anyone looking to sip sans booze, this growing prevalence of mocktails suggests that sobriety, or at least moderation, might be becoming the new social standard; an indicator of a larger cultural tide turning towards healthier lifestyle choices, as people increasingly opt for activities that don't necessarily involve tipping back drinks, with Palacios hosting game nights and other interactive events to foster an environment where alcohol is optional, not the main event.
