Ruby Warrington introduced the phrase in her 2018 book, Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol. It means, she said, “literally, to choose to question, or get curious about, every impulse, invitation, and expectation to drink, versus mindlessly going along with the dominant drinking culture.” On the other end of the sober spectrum are the sober serious – people who already very consciously do not drink alcohol because they are part of the recovery community, or for religious or medical reasons. Warrington really tapped into something with “sober curiosity”. The enthusiasm for her term, and the speed in which it has grown so ubiquitous really testify to the experiences of a strong and growing community of people who are rethinking why and whether to drink alcohol. Bar Bene exists to provide a complex, adult, non-alcoholic choice for everyone on the sober spectrum.

This is a fun one to answer. First, the obvious: the absence of ethanol means Bar Bene’s beverages avoid the long-term health risks associated with consuming alcohol. Less obvious, perhaps: our cocktails are significantly lower in calories than their alcoholic counterparts, which contain so many empty calories in the alcohol, itself. You absolutely must banish the image of a sugar-bomb Shirley Temple, a “mocktail” with a tower of whip cream, or a big-as-your-head frozen Virgin Daiquiri from your mind! We have banished them from our menu, that’s for sure. Instead, Bar Bene is all about paying homage to the golden age of American cocktails. Our beer and wine selections, too, are significantly lower-calorie than alcoholic beer and wine.

There’s more.

• The cocktail bitters we use are packed with botanicals like dandelion root, burdock root, milk thistle seed, and holy basil, which may help with digestion, offer kidney and liver support, protect the liver, and offer other medicinal properties typical of digestive bitters.
• Unlike alcoholic drinks, our beverages are hydrating! Google “German Olympic team and non-alcoholic beer” to see some serious hydrating.
• Because the beer, wine and base spirits we use are all non-alcoholic, their product labeling is governed by the FDA rather than the TTC. This means all our offerings are made with ingredients that in turn are required to list their ingredients! Nutritional values, too. With Bar Bene, you can know exactly what is in your beverage. Here’s to conscious consuming!

Sure! There is a travel fee for out-of-town events, but we love to tour our great state!

Yes and no. In the NA beer category, we think you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference. But with Bar Bene’s cocktails, you’re right. They do not taste exactly the same as the alcoholic cocktails they pay homage to – and that is also not exactly the point! You can taste the difference the same way you can taste the difference between a plant-based burger and a beef burger. But the flavor architects who developed the NA spirits we source for our cocktails have truly captured the essence of the traditional spirits. And our recipes are designed to showcase and further enhance the flavors and the experience. Add the proper glassware and garnishes, and NA cocktails are an immense pleasure for anyone – and a new and welcome choice!