Reign it in without sacrificing flavor or fun– these KC cocktail bars are whipping up some amazing non-alcoholic options!

It’s Dry January. Even if you aren’t partaking, you may be pulling in the reins on frivolity – whether for your personal health goals, or to save money. (In this economy, who could blame you?)

Whether we are willing to admit it or not, alcohol is experiencing a drop in popularity. And if you’re wanting to try out the low ABV craze or test the waters with a non-alcoholic beverage, you should be able to enjoy what you are drinking.

Luckily for all of us, many of our favorite establishments have incorporated low and non-alcoholic elixirs and dreamy concoctions. Because of this, every night out is equally as magical, whether you are imbibing or not. Below, a few of our favorites.

Common Tiger

Common Tiger in Mission, Kansas is a pizza shop in the front… and a party in the back. Right now, you can head back into their Ski Lodge – with availability and the right password, of course – Friday and Saturday starting at 5pm. They offer an array of holiday-themed alcoholic beverages, but you can order reasonably priced pizzas to your seat.
Two tasty mocktails on the menu include the Starlight - a light pear lemon soda that is my personal favorite – and a Filthy Chai, their spin on a dirty chai that will have you energized for your entire night out. Ask your friendly bartender for other non-alcoholic suggestions, as they are ready for anything in this fun speakeasy space.

Front Range Cafe

While Front Range Cafe is definitely caffeine-forward and feels like day camp away in the mountains when you stop in, it transforms in the later hours. (Hi! Did you know that Front Range is open until 10pm most days?!) Cocktails and mocktails have stacked the menu for as long as we can remember, and the staff has gone hard in the paint with their current roster of N/A options.

The Bear Hug is whiskey-forward, with an array of fruit flavors like cranberry, orange, and cherry to lift the beverage. The beekeeper has a zero proof gin base, and keeps it simple with honey and lemon. The Evergreen features Hugo matcha and mango, a tonic that keeps serving into the evening. And if you like it light, the Apres Ski Spritz will be up your alley.

Up/Down

Crossroads gamers, unite! Not only does Up/Down have some of the best pizza slices and gaming around, but now they have a deeper non-alcoholic beverage menu to peruse while you bite into nostalgia. Their rotating cans of N/A beer currently feature Blue Moon, Boulevard, and Sierra Nevada favorites.

Up/Down’s recently announced, extended zero-proof menu includes $6 cocktails and seltzers as well. Waluigi’s Tonic is a delightful hibiscus-sage lemon beverage that – while we can’t guarantee these results – will undoubtedly have you beating all your friends at Mario Kart.

Goat & Rabbit

Goat & Rabbit – the quaint cocktail bar at 39th Street and State Line Road – boasts some of the city’s most intricate and delicious beverages. While you may know that they proudly serve wine, coffee, cocktails, beer, and otherwise, they have a really cute no-alcohol menu that makes you want to immediately taste everything.

The menu includes a Chaiball, a chai/spiced rum beverage with a hint of vanilla sweetness, topped with a burst of bubbling soda? Then there is Petal Talk, the sweet, cinnamon-tinted guava, lychee, hibiscus concoction that I ordered three times in a row. Give yourself a giggle by ordering Night of The Roxberry, with a raspberry and lemon mint twist. (And maybe a neck cramp, if you’re doing it right.)

Affäre

While Affäre is known for its delicious German fare and beautiful, intimate courtyard dining, the experience is always improved tenfold when you have a variety of beverage options at your fingertips. The couple behind the restaurant have infused their heart and soul into every aspect of this dining experience, including the extensive N/A menu. The restaurant was, in fact, a James Beard Award Semifinalist in 2024 for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program under the direction of Bar Manager Chase Ihde.

Featuring a list of enticing beers - including a Chocolate Dark Brew -, vibrant wines, sodas, soft drinks, and cocktails, there truly is a flavor on this menu for everyone – and we haven’t even gotten to the appetizers yet. Enjoy simple truffle fries or bison meatballs while sipping on an Apelor Sprish - their obvious alcohol-free take on an aperol spritz - or a Picklefizz, whose bright flavor is made with sparkling wine, citrus, spiced ginger-lemon syrup, and an egg white.

XR at Crossroads Hotel

Crossroads Hotel is popular for its gorgeous, unique maze of rooms and delicious dining options. The same can be said for its lobby bar – XR at Crossroads Hotel – that is perfect any time of day, whether you are looking to waste time between sightseeing, or need to enjoy a night out on the town. They serve delicious brunch and out-of-this-world cocktails, though their low ABV beverages are something to write home about.

In addition to their low ABV options and delicious coffee, you can grab a non-alcoholic Space Camper or Lemon Wheat from Boulevard. Ask your server if there are any other spritz options, as every cocktail that makes its way off the bar is almost too stunning to drink.

Deviant Kava

Deviant Kava was built to operate as a third space in the Parkville community, and it has been such a breath of fresh air on that side of town. The clean, beautiful, multi-level space has a welcoming bar, with an extensive coffee and tea menu. They specialize in Kava tea and seltzers, and the space is exclusively non-alcoholic. With extended hours, you can find community – and space to breathe and work – almost anytime.

The Captain’s Daquiri is a phenomenal zero-proof option. Their non-alcoholic menu rotates a bit, but when I happened in, it included a mezcal-based drink called Ashes to Ashes, and a juicy Hibiscus Lemonade.

Cliff’s Taphouse

Martini Corner isn’t the flashy party spot it once was, but Cliff’s Taphouse knows how to bring the flavor… in both meals and brews. It boasts neighborhood charm, with a super friendly staff. During a particularly delicious Restaurant Week lunch, I noticed they had several mocktail options to order in-house.

The taphouse also sells a full lineup of non-alcoholic beers and seltzers, incredible considering they are known for their exclusive and delicious Beer Dinners, which are fully alcoholic. These N/A options include Boulevard Quirks, Heineken, Guinness, Athletic Hazy IPA, a Paulaner Qeizen Radler, and more.

If you are out at a local spot that serves cocktails and are interested in trying something a little less harsh on the palate, ask your waiter if they have low ABV or non-alcoholic options. Many bartenders are excited to test their skills at these drinks. Why miss out on a beautifully crafted beverage if it’s an option?