Updated: January 7, 2026
The South might be drenched in bourbon and steeped in sweet tea, but its culinary landscape is fast changing to embrace a new kind of craft: zero-proof drinks. From refined alcohol-free menus at fine dining destinations to curated booze-free beverage shops, this region is ripe with inventive, flavorful options for sober-curious sipping.
Here’s where to find the best mocktails across the South, broken down by city.
Nashville: Music Meets Mocktails
Nashville isn’t just about three-level honky-tonks and whiskey, y’all. It’s also home to a flurry of restaurants and bars that elevate the game when it comes to alcohol-free options. The city’s first booze-free bottle shop, Killjoy, serves as both an expert-curated retail shop and a haven for alcohol-free enthusiasts. Find plenty of alcohol-free wines, beers, and spirits alongside adaptogenic- and hemp-infused canned beverages, kava sips, and plenty of good vibes.
Just a short drive away, Forevermore Coffee transforms on Friday and Saturday nights into Forevermore After Hours—a mocktail destination offering spirit-free smoked old fashioneds with a focus on genuine connection. In Madison, Passage Kava Lounge also cultivates an alcohol-free community, with weekly events from trivia to open mic nights providing plenty of sipping options centered around the calming beverage. Rooted in celebration, kava (made from the roots of the Piper methysticum plant) has been a cornerstone for centuries in South Pacific and Polynesian culture, used to promote relaxation, social bonding, and spiritual connection.
Of course, dozens of Nashville restaurants and bars tout experts who go above and beyond in the booze-free beverage world. Just a few of my favorites: Folk, Husk, Audrey, The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club, Lovelorn Lounge at Tempo by Hilton Nashville Downtown, and the Twelve Thirty Club (Supper Club).
Charleston: Going Coastal and Carefree
Charleston’s culinary scene is a shining star all its own, but several spots in the Holy City celebrate zero-proof culture in style. At Zero George, a boutique hotel and restaurant, seasonal creations (like a cucumber and elderflower tonic) complement award-winning dishes perfect for enjoying on the veranda.
For something a little more casual, Basic Kitchen offers spirit-free beverages, lattes, and wellness shots alongside honest-to-goodness simple, seasonal fare. Their grapefruit spritz, made with hibiscus syrup, lime, and an orange juice floater, feels like sippin’ on sunshine.
Sechey is Charleston’s premiere alcohol-free bottle shop, providing select elevated alternatives and premium healthy options for both the health-conscious and the sober-curious.
Huntsville: A Rising Star in Alcohol-Free Hospitality
A major glow-up for the chain-centric Alabama town I couldn’t wait to leave, Huntsville has seen growth in many forms. For one, it’s now the largest city in the Yellowhammer State. But more importantly for this food writer: the dining scene is now booming-–and that includes a zero-proof scene that’s ready for takeoff.
Downtown Huntsville’s Phat Sammy’s is a fun underground tropical bar and restaurant, with plenty of Instagram-friendly photo ops (and that includes some stunning flamingo wallpaper in one of the restrooms–hello, bathroom selfie queens). On the caffeinated side, Piper & Leaf Artisan Tea Co. not only has an array of teas, but they also pour tea-based mocktails infused with house-made shrubs and syrups.
Nitro Tales is new in Rocket City, and it’s the perfect blend of style and substance. They’re pioneering offering craft cocktails and zero-proof drinks on tap, also serving gussied-up coffee and chair drinks day and night.
Atlanta: Sober-Curious in Style
Georgia’s capital city has embraced the sober movement with open arms, transforming into a hub for alcohol-free exploration. At the forefront: The Zero Co., the city’s first non-alcoholic bottle shop. Located in the heart of Atlanta, it boasts a curated selection of over 500 non-alcoholic beverages, including spirits, wines, beers, and mixers. The knowledgeable staff makes it easy to discover new favorites, whether you’re hosting a zero-proof gathering or just seeking options for yourself.
The Sober Social also sets a lovely scene in the spirit-free realm, with chic, Moroccan-inspired decor, fun flavors, and spiritless libations. Together, these spots are redefining Atlanta’s drinking culture, offering sophisticated, inclusive alternatives that rival traditional boozy bar offerings.
Jackson: Beyond Dry January
Mississippi’s mocktail scene is growing slowly but surely, making it easier for those looking to reduce their alcohol intake just for Dry January, and for sober individuals. In Jackson, visit Bravo! Italian Restaurant & Bar in Highland Village and choose from their “Temperance Menu”, which features options with clever names, like the “Espresso No-tini” and “Unpickled” martinis built sans booze.
Sal & Mookie’s, from the same owners as Bravo!, serves alcohol-free beverages like the pomegranate torani to pair with their pizza and pasta. If you’re feelin’ fancy and craving some French flavors with a Southern accent, Eudora’s Mississippi Brasserie is new in town, and popular among food-focused travelers.
Taste your way through a handful of craft no-ABV beers from Athletic Brewing Co. while doing the hard work of choosing between black garlic-butter grilled gulf oysters, French onion soup, New Orleans-style shrimp grits, and steak frites.
Louisville: Hangover-Free in Kentucky
Sure, plenty of people head to Kentucky to get their bourbon on, but allow me to emphasize there are TONS of alcohol-free spirits and travel-worthy zero-proof drinks coming out of the Bluegrass State. Chef Anthony Lamas adds to Louisville’s ever-growing culinary allure with his insatiable creativity on full display at Seviche. Here, try the “When Life Gives You Kiwis”—made, obviously, with kiwis plus lemon, lavender, and aqua.
Louisville’s Bar Vetti dedicates a portion of the cocktail menu to nonalcoholic drinks, with Italian-influenced spritzes and boozeless gimlet, mules, and more made with Ritual Zero Proof Gin or Bourbon. Karaoke lovers, visit NoraeBar to let your inner rockstar shine, sans alcohol.
An alcohol-free friendly restaurant in a fun hotel, Proof on Main calls the 21C Hotel in Downtown Louisville home. This place is a feast for the eyes, the palate, and my recovering liver–with spirit-free beer and beverages available. If you’re looking for a spiritless Kentucky souvenir to add to your bar cart, check out Spiritless, Ritual, or NKD, all available nationwide.
New Orleans: Louisiana’s Booze-Free Charm
As a food writer for over 15 years, New Orleans has always been on my “repeat” playlist of favorite dining destinations in the world (check out my comprehensive booze-free guide). That hasn’t changed since I ditched alcohol after a decades-long rocky relationship, as the Crescent City still has more than enough to fill my belly and my soul.
From the vibrant Dream House Lounge, where zero-proof drinks meet wellness, to iconic dining spots like Commander’s Palace and Restaurant R’evolution, New Orleans offers unbeatable sober dining experiences. Local “California sober” products like Louie Louie hemp seltzers pair perfectly with the city’s bold flavors, while staples like Dooky Chase and Willie Mae’s Scotch House serve up soulful Creole classics that don’t need booze to matter.
Dessert lovers can delight in icy treats at Hansens Sno-Bliz, Cafe Beignet, or Loretta’s Pralines. Whether you’re sippin’ on a Peach Basil Cooler or holding a baby alligator on a local swamp tour, New Orleans proves you don’t need a drop of alcohol to savor its soul.
Cheers to Dry January, sober curiosity, and shining, sans alcohol.
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