By Florida Weekly Staff | on September 15, 2022

Mocktails are proving increasingly popular at bars and restaurants. SVITLANA / COURTESY PHOTO

T MAY NOT SEEM STRAIGHTFORWARD in a big drinking town like this.

There usually are questions. Am I taking up space? Am I annoying the bartender? Is it asking for the world to have one of those tiny umbrellas? Actually, you will find most bars in Key West are pretty good about serving nonalcohol clientele.

While bartenders may not get rich off club soda sippers, they might prove a welcome addition around 1 a.m., when lightweights buzzed off of green tea shots ask if there are any good beaches nearby for the fourth time. As the number of sober rovers continues to grow, I spoke with islanders who still go out without consuming alcohol. Their advice ranged from suggested orders to preferred local spots and even tips that involve glassware.

Mocktail menus are on the rise

Nonalcoholic beers have come a long way. Brewdog Punk AF is a favorite along with Athletic Brewing’s Hazy IPA — the latter available at The Bearded Lady. As for cocktails right now, Tiki House is winning with their nonalcoholic margarita. Brad Buck made us one the other day and it was the bomb.

Over the last year, it’s been like night and day. A lot of mocktail menus have been added and it’s more just generally accepted. I like having an option to buy something. There isn’t anyone on this island that’s going to charge me for a Diet Coke — yet I’m happy if you do. If there is a nonalcoholic option, I’ll happily buy it. I want to play the “bar game.” I want the house to make money and I want to hang out with my friends. I really like Liquid Death sparkling waters as well. I just want a can of something to drink while hanging out and listening to some music or playing games.

If you see me at Jukebox Wizard on Wednesdays, my drink of choice is Liquid Death and shots of sugar-free Red Bull.

— Landon Bradbary, bartender and on-air personality

Red Bull gives you wings and options

I’ll choose a spot where I know people and that offers more than just booze and noise. I do standup at Comedy Key West and often stay to watch other comics and see friends. It’s roomy and comfortable. The bartenders know I don’t drink and always offer sparkling water or diet coke. 22&Co. draws a friendly crowd and I can go next door to the club and check out the DJ. I like Frita’s for food and chatting. I limit my “partying.” I have an amazing sober life and I want to protect it. I still gotta’ check myself when I’m in bars. If I’m not feeling it, I’m out. And I always make sure to tip well.

It’s not impossible, but drinking is a huge part of the culture and social scene. If you’re sober, you gotta expect that it can get uncomfortable. It’s not smart to do a lot of heavy bar hanging if you want to have a sober mind. But there’s a strong sober community here. Lots of people don’t drink for different reasons and they do just fine going out. Key West has the whole outdoors to hang out in, lots of arts stuff, a great music scene. Just taking a walk in Old Town can make for a great afternoon. I’ve learned to create a social life that doesn’t begin and end at the bar.

I feel welcome where I go. A lot of Key West makes their livelihood off booze and I respect that. I don’t need special treatment. And it’s so hot here, that pounding water doesn’t make you stand out. I do like bars that have water coolers available, like The Green Parrot and Hank’s, so I don’t have to make the bartenders fill my water cup four times. But they don’t mind. I’m not into the mocktail or fake beer thing but they’re easy to find if you enjoy that. I’d rather have a soda or, if I’m feeling dangerous, a Red Bull.

Look for that cozy dining experience

I went to Martin’s for my girlfriend’s 30th birthday. Everyone drank and had a lot of fun. I actually asked the bartender for a spicy mocktail.

I don’t know what was in it, but I had three of them. Jasmine at the Southernmost’s pool makes a mean mocktail as well. If we’re going to dinner I want to go somewhere that is equally good for the food. I don’t want to go somewhere that’s just bar food. I want to go somewhere that has really good dining. If someone’s there to enjoy their drinks that’s fine but I’m also there to enjoy good food. I still like good atmosphere — good lighting, a place where you can be at the table and talk to your friends, there’s good energy around, it’s not super quiet and formal. There’s still that coziness.

I love any place that serves kombucha on draft. My favorite bartender who recently took the time to make a beautiful and absolutely delicious nonalcoholic mocktail when they were out of kombucha is Pixie at General Horseplay. Not many places will offer much else besides soda or juice, and this drink was amazing.

I usually order sparkling water with a wine glass at dinner because I still love my glassware and sipping bubbles.

When I quit drinking wine completely, which was my go-to beverage toward the end of my drinking days, I missed the buzz but also found that what I was really missing was the glass in my hand. I used substitution techniques and enjoyed sipping my kombucha, which I ended up brewing and learning more about. But the wine glass was and still is an essential part of me enjoying what I loved about drinking alcohol and leaving out what I didn’t.

— Talia Allman, team leader, Wyland Galleries

Note: Interviews have been edited and condensed. ¦

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Visit Us: 100 Grinnell Street Key West, FL 33404

General inquiries: info@floridaweekly.com

Advertising Information: advertise@floridaweekly.com

Our Hometown DMCA Notices Newspaper web site content management software and services