It’s January so most of us have decided to go easy on the alcohol after a hangover-tastic Christmas period. But what does it mean for our dating lives? Fret not, there are plenty of cool places to go out for an alcohol-free date and still have a great time. We’ve listed out a few of our favourite London venues below:
Redemption, The Goldfinger Factory, 13-15 Golborne Road, W10 5NY; www.redemoptionbar.co.uk
London’s first alcohol-free bar and gastropub was set up by founder Catherine Salway to prove you don’t need alcohol to have fun. Highlights include the Coco-tini – coconut water shaken over ice with lime and agave syrup, served in a salt-rimmed glass and elderflower and Lemon Fizz – elderflower and fresh lemon topped with sparkling water.
The Connaught, Carlos Place, W1K 2AL; www.the-connaught.co.uk
This super-swanky bar is the perfect place to take someone special as just going there is an occasion in itself. The interior is a cool 1920s-style cubist bar with leather and mirrors. Try the Tea Rinfresco, meaning ‘I refresh you’, a blend of ginger syrup, lime juice, lychee purée, mandarin juice, Earl Grey tea, and soda water, or the Sundance – a blend of orange juice, vanilla sugar, peach juice, soda water and grenadine.
Dishoom, 7 Boundary Street London E2 7JE www.dishoom.com
While Brits tend to enjoy our curries with a beer, the traditional Indian way is to accompany your spicy food with a fruit juice, punch or lassi. There are loads to choose from here, including the House Punch, which is a mixture of exotic fruit juices, coconut and Darjeeling tea or the Virgin Chaijito; mint and coriander leaves mixed with Dishoom’s own Chai syrup, fresh lime and a spritz of soda.
Hawksmoor, various venues including Air Street; Guildhall; Seven Dials; www.thehawksmoor.com
Hawksmoor’s cocktail list is one of the best in London and if you can possibly resist an alcoholic number, there is plenty of virgin options to choose from. Try the refreshing Apple & Mint Swizzle or order the Cornflake Milkshake for fun.
Are there any other venues you would recommend for mocktails? Tell us @lovestruck
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