A good bar is not defined by the alcohol on it. More guests are skipping alcohol than they used to, some events should not have any, and nearly every party has people who would like something better than a soda. Sip Happens runs fully alcohol-free bars and builds real non-alcoholic drinks into standard bars, with the same bartenders, the same setup and the same attention.
Two ways to book it
A fully alcohol-free bar
Everything a bartended event has, minus the alcohol: a built bar, a professional bartender shaking and garnishing drinks to order, a printed menu and a signature drink named for the occasion. Guests get the experience of ordering at a bar, which is the part people enjoy.
Mocktails alongside a regular bar
The more common request. The bar serves beer, wine and cocktails as usual, and non-drinking guests order from a short non-alcoholic menu made with the same care. Nobody has to explain why they are not drinking.
What is on the menu
Our mocktail mixers package covers three non-alcoholic cocktails:
- Virgin mojito. Fresh mint, lime and soda, muddled to order.
- Blue Lagoon. Bright, citrusy and the one kids and adults both point at.
- Shirley Temple. The classic, made properly.
On top of that, every event gets a signature drink, and an alcohol-free version is a standard part of how we build one. It uses the same fresh ingredients and goes on the same printed menu card. Popular directions:
- Citrus and herb: grapefruit, rosemary and tonic
- Berry and mint: muddled strawberries, lime and soda
- Spiced and warm: apple cider, ginger and cinnamon for fall and winter events
- Tropical: pineapple, coconut and lime, blended or on the rocks
Tell us about non-alcoholic spirits, alcohol-free beer or sparkling wine you would like poured and we will work them into the menu. You supply the bottles, the same way you would for a regular bar.
Events where a mocktail bar fits
- Baby showers. The guest of honor should have the best drink in the room.
- Bridal showers and daytime events. A lighter bar suits the hour. See bridal showers.
- Corporate events. A dry or mixed bar keeps a work event comfortable for every employee and takes pressure off the host company. See corporate bartending.
- Sweet sixteens, graduations and family parties. A bar the under-21 guests can order from.
- Religious and community gatherings where alcohol is not served.
- Sober celebrations, including milestones worth marking without a drink.
- Weddings with a mixed crowd. A mocktail on the menu card next to the signature cocktail.
Why hire a bartender for drinks without alcohol?
Because the difference between a pitcher of punch and a bar is the bartender. A made-to-order drink with fresh citrus, good ice and a garnish feels like an occasion. It also takes the same skill as a cocktail. Balance, dilution and presentation matter more when there is no spirit to carry the drink.
There are practical reasons too:
- The host is not stuck refilling pitchers
- Drinks are made fresh and cold all event, not sitting out
- The bar is built before guests arrive and cleared when they leave
- Guests have somewhere to gather
How the alcohol rules apply
A fully alcohol-free bar is the simplest event there is from a legal standpoint. No alcohol is purchased and none is served.
For a mixed bar, New Jersey’s normal private-event rule applies. The host buys the alcohol from a licensed retailer and we pour it as their agent. We do not sell alcohol. The dry-hire explainer covers the details.
Either way, our bartenders check ID for anything alcoholic and keep the two menus clearly separate, which matters when minors or pregnant guests are ordering.
What to buy for an alcohol-free bar
If you take the mocktail mixers package, the ingredients for the three core drinks come with the bartender. For anything beyond that, plan on:
- Three to four drinks per guest for a three-hour daytime event
- Two pounds of ice per guest
- Sparkling water and soda in generous supply, since they stretch every drink
- Fresh citrus and herbs, bought the day before
The ice and mixer guide has quantities by headcount.
What it costs
Bartending service is priced per guest: $6.90 for up to four hours, with a 20-guest minimum. The mocktail mixers package, ice, cups and a bar rental are optional add-ons priced in the quote builder. See pricing and the full add-on list.
With no alcohol to buy, an alcohol-free bar is the least expensive full bar you can put on.
Common questions
Can kids order from the mocktail bar?
Yes. An alcohol-free bar is open to every guest, and it is a highlight for the younger ones.
Can you make mocktail versions of specific cocktails?
Usually. Mojitos, mules, margaritas, spritzes and sours all have good alcohol-free versions. Tell us what you have in mind.
Do I need to buy anything myself?
For the three core mocktails, the package covers the mixers. Ice and cups are separate add-ons, or you can supply them. For custom drinks we will give you a short shopping list.
Is there a minimum?
The service has a 20-guest minimum, which comes to $138 for a four-hour bar.