Are you participating in dry January?
With the month almost halfway over, we’ve rounded up some of the best spots in Victoria to keep you on track with refreshing non-alcoholic options.
Whether you’re craving sweet mocktails or crisp zero-precent beers, Victoria has a wide variety of choices to help you stay motivated.
Here are the 10 best places for non-alcoholic sips during dry January.
Whistle Buoy Brewing Company
With four non-alcoholic beers, virgin Caesars, and featured virgin cocktails, this is a great spot to go for a night out.
When it comes to their non-alc beers, they have a great variety! For rich, bold, and creamy flavours, try their Shaft Coffee Stout, or go to classic choices like the Hazy IPA or Pale Ale.
For something tangy and fruity, the Fuzzy Peach Sour is a must-try!
- Where: Market Square, Lower Courtyard, #63, 560 Johnson Street
- When: Open 7 days a week – hours vary
Q at the Empress
For expertly crafted mocktails, Q at the Empress offers four tasty options!
Negroni lovers can opt for their Fauxgroni, made with Lumette London Dry ‘Gin’, Lucano ‘Amaro’, and Giffard bitter, while the Sovereign Sunset with Lumette Lum-Rum, pineapple juice, lime, and Giffard Orgeat will satisfy any tropical drink lover.
Want something unique? Try their Queen’s Delights with butterfly pea-infused Bright Light Lumette, lemon juice, Bottega 0% sparkling rosé, grapefruit pearls, and honey syrup—a refreshing, floral and citrusy drink.
On a similar floral note, their High Tea with Noa Garden Gin, elderflower syrup, lemon, and Fentiman’s Rose Lemonade is also a great choice.
- Where: The Fairmont Empress, 721 Government Street
- When: Open 7 days a week – 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Friends of Dorothy
Known for their fabulous entertainment, Friends of Dorothy also has an equally fabulous zero-proof cocktail list.
Their menu is perfect for tropical drinks, with sips like the Good Witch—a non-alcoholic twist on a Tropical Sour Fizz with mango, orange, lime, Grenadine, and egg white—or The Fortune Teller, a refreshing combination of coconut cream, coconut water, cucumber juice, and lime.
Catch their Saturday night Dinner & Drag or Sunday Karaoke while enjoying these delicious drinks!
- Where: Friends of Dorothy, 537 Johnson Street
- When: Thursday to Monday – hours vary
Softer Drink
Softer Drink, originally launched as an online wholesaler in 2021, now has a physical location at 760 Broughton Street!
Stop by to explore their selection of non-alcoholic beverages, including Leitz ‘Zero Point Five’ Sauvignon Blanc and Field House Salted Lime Lager.
Made with real ingredients, Softer focuses on supporting independent local brands and offering quality drinks crafted with care.
- Where: Softer Drink, 760 Broughton Street
- When: Tuesday to Saturday – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (8 p.m. on Fridays)
Fizz Non-Alc Bottle Shop
Fizz is Victoria’s newest non-alcoholic bottle shop, offering de-alcoholized wines and non-alcoholic beers and ciders.
Come in-store to sample open products or let their staff mix up an alcohol-free cocktail, such a licorice sour or margarita—all while snacking on olives, sardines, and crackers!
If you don’t have time to pop into their shop, their collection is also available online for easy at-home enjoyment.
- Where: Fizz Non-Alc Bottle Shop, 569 Johnson Street
- When: Open every day except Tuesdays – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (5 p.m. on Sundays)
Phillips Brewing
This beloved brewery offers a wide selection of non-alcoholic beer under their iOTA line, which is brewed locally!
Grab a pack of Pilsner, Peach Wheat Ale, Pale Ale, Hazy IPA, and Cerveza—or get them in a mix pack.
It’s the true taste of beer without the alcohol!
- Where: Phillips Brewing & Malt Beer Shop, 2010 Government Street
- When: Open 7 days a week – hours vary
Clive’s Classic Lounge
As one of the most awarded non-alcoholic cocktail bars in Canada, you can count on them to craft the perfect mocktail.
With four specialty mocktails ranging from cool and zesty to orange and bitter, there’s something for every taste bud.
For non-alcoholic versions of popular cocktails, try their Nogroni, made with Undone Not Gin, Undone Rosso, and NOA Bitter, or their Tropical Illusion, made with Lyre’s White Rum (N/A), orgeat, falernum, lime cordial, and lemon balsamic.
- Where: Clive’s Classic Lounge, 740 Burdett Avenue
- When:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Friday & Saturday – 5 p.m. to midnight
Glo Restaurant
Dine with ocean views and a “Zero Proof” cocktail in hand at Victoria’s beloved Glo Restaurant.
With a special portion of their menu with a selection of non-alcoholic options—many which mirror favourite cocktails minus the booze!
Order a glass of No Way Rosé or sip an assortment of cocktails, like the Coconut Hibiscus No’jito, Pomegranate Ginger Fizz, or Venice Peach.
You’ll barely notice the difference!
- Where: Glo Restaurant, 104 – 2940 Jutland Rd. Selkirk Waterfront
- When: Open 7 days a week – hours vary
Earl’s Kitchen & Bar
Don’t worry about skipping happy hour—Earl’s has a menu of “Zero Proof” drinks for you!
Pick from the staple cocktails like the spicy Picante Margarita or sweet and refreshing Strawberry Hibiscus Mule.
Other fun drinks on their menu are their Shaken Coconut Cold Brew, Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade, Italian Spritz, and Coconut Mango Cooler.
They also have a selection of non-alcoholic beers, including Guinness 0 and a Corona Cero.
- Where: Earl’s Restaurant, 1199 Government Street
- When: Open 7 days a week – hours vary
Bray’s
This tapa-style restaurant carefully crafts their dishes with the freshest ingredients—and the same goes with their drinks!
Try a beverage from their “Zero Proof” menu, like the Lost Tonic crafted with raspberry, lavender, lemon, grapefruit, and tonic, and the Careful Carribean, a delicious concoction of pineapple, rootside ginger beer concentrate, jalapeño syrup, and soda.
- Where: Bray’s, 460 Pandora Avenue
- When: Open 7 days a week – hours vary
