Gathering for drinks used to mean alcohol-related get-togethers, but the drink destination spots that are trending lately have nothing to do with liquor. For example, there is now a rise of mom-and-pop owned non-alcoholic bars, such as the Hekate Café & Elixir Lounge in New York City and Sans Bar in Austin, Texas, as well as new non-alcoholic bottle shops springing up in multiple locations, such as the Sechey brand.
There is also continuous new growth of coffeehouses, boba drink parlors, juice/smoothie bars, and even soda drink concoction shops that are all expanding their presence in the U.S. In addition, there are dining establishments, such as A&W Restaurants and Sonic Drive-In, sought after by customers primarily because of their non-alcoholic beverage selections.
This non-alcohol beverage tenant category works in almost all types of retail spaces in all types of settings, whether it is a luxury Class A lifestyle center or a grocery-anchored suburban neighborhood strip mall site. An increasing number of these drink destination shops are seeking standalone drive-thru spaces in order to cater to the consumers who want a quick, convenient beverage indulgence from the comfort of their own car, which is what Dutch Bros Coffee, Swig and Tropical Smoothie Cafe are all looking for.
There are many reasons for this surge of non-alcohol drink destination spots. For example, the health and wellness craze, and the resulting drive to remove toxins from the body, has resulted in a “sober curious” movement for consumers to find healthy drink alternatives to alcohol.
“In recent years, the alcohol-free movement has gained significant momentum,” said Emily Heintz, the founder of Sechey. “As consumer habits change and desire increases, the non-alcoholic category has exploded.”
Carlo Verdugo, director of operations and business development for the Juice It Up! smoothie franchise brand, said consumers today are educating themselves even more than ever on ‘better for you’ and healthier options.
“From protein-infused smoothies to immunity-enhancing raw juices and shots, guests can easily make educated menu choices based on what matters most to them in their busy daily lives,” he said.
Another driving force is the younger Gen Z crowd, which hasn’t yet turned 21 but still wants to have a delicious beverage option experience. Also, the millennial parents of young children are at a phase of their life where they are prioritizing family time instead of the bar scene, which means stopping for quick pick-me-up drinks in family friendly beverage shops.
These drink destination brands are expected to continue to dominate in retail spaces in the future because their offerings — whether it be coffee, a smoothie or even a root beer float — are at a cheaper price point than a full-fledged meal, yet still provide a fun “going out for a special treat” element.
Expect to continue seeing new variations of this non-alcoholic beverage theme in new, unique shop brands.
