10 Top Spots For A Dry July Drink In Christchurch

If European bistro culture has your heart, then Earl in the city centre’s East Frame is the spot for you. The service is impeccable, as is their food and they have become renowned around Ōtautahi for their Pasta Night Tuesdays. This Dry July they have created some mocktails specially for the occasion and with expertly paired ingredients you won’t miss the alcoholic component. Turn up the heat with a Winter Daiquiri, you’ll taste warming lemongrass and ginger, cranberry and Mediterranean citrus or an Apple Cinnamon Old Fashion that’s been infused with black tea and bitters. If a spritz and a sparkle is more of your go-to opt for the Earl Orchard Spritzer with yuzu, lime, mint and fizz, or the Peach and Ginger Mojito with fresh mint, zingy lime and topped off with ginger beer. If you’re struggling to choose, ask the friendly waitstaff for their recommendations, they are the experts after all.

When opting in for Dry July you want to make sure that any establishment you visit has food so good, your alcohol-free status is barely noteworthy. Smokey T’s is exactly the destination you need to frequent, their slow-cooked meats are a thing of beauty thanks to chef Tristin (‘T’) Anderson and his wood-smoked BBQ’ing. Occupying a two-storey venue on Cashel Street, Smokey T’s is always humming with customers so be sure to make a reservation. When it comes to making your drink order, their house-made iced tea is a hands-down winner. It’s just the kind of refreshing non-alcoholic libation you need to accompany the rich, smokey and flavourful array of meats on offer at Smokey T’s.

Found in the heart of the city centre off High Street on Stranges Lane, Rascal is known among cocktail aficionados for going above and beyond with their mixology skills. This modern bistro is the epitome of cool with its brick interior, feature pendant lighting and brown leather stools. With a food menu that changes out frequently to take advantage of both seasonal ingredients and the chef’s creativity, you can be guaranteed to find dishes that take a twist on the traditional.

Their drinks are the same and this includes a cracking lineup of mocktails for all embarking on Dry July or just wanting a non-alcoholic option. For fans of a classic Negroni, Rascal has the No’groni, all the tasting notes you’re used to minus the alcohol. Like it fresh, fruity and foamy? The Cloverless is a take on the better known Clover Club cocktail. And if you like Pina Coladas… (yes we know the tune is now stuck in your head too!), order the Nokoko, it’s pineapple and coconutty goodness in a glass.

OGB is brimming with character and charm, and it’s easy to see why it’s a popular after-work drinks spot with inner-city workers. Located in one of the few remaining Neo-Renaissance buildings built in the 1900s, there is history all around when you are at OGB. Live music is a frequent feature over the weekends adding to the jovial atmosphere and even if you plan on popping in for one quick drink, it’s easy to find yourself staying for many hours. Not only is the food on point but the drinks are superb with the bartenders known for shaking up some stellar cocktails. For those planning their Dry July, fear not – their mocktail game is equally strong thanks to the inclusion of some non-alcoholic spirits. Our top picks include the ‘Lililbet’ featuring kiwifruit, ginger green tea and non-alcoholic gin, and ‘The Nightingale’ with pear, cinnamon, lime and non-alcoholic rum. If you’d rather give mocktails a miss, OGB has you covered with the State of Play Nectaron Unfiltered Pale Ale 0% or a Zeffer Apple Cider 0%. So grab a group of pals and get cosy at OGB this winter – alcohol entirely optional!

If you have visited speakeasy bars around the world you’ll be pleased to know that Ōtautahi’s Austin Club is the real deal. Hidden in a basement down an alleyway between Cashel and High Street, you need a password to enter (found on their socials) and as you descend the stairs you are taken back in time to the prohibition. The dimly lit interior creates an atmosphere of glamour and sophistication, add to this there are often live musicians playing jazz, blues and soul to fully immerse you in a bygone era.

Austin Club has a strong alcohol-free game, 0% Lyres Prosecco is available by the glass or bottle, and beer and cider drinkers are taken care of with the 0% Mac’s Freeride Pale Ale and 0% Zeffer Passionfruit Cider options. But it is the ‘On The Bandwagon’ section of their drinks menu that is guaranteed to win you over. Each drink is listed with tasting notes, with mocktails ranging from refreshing, floral and effervescent to smooth, velvet and toffee. So no matter which flavour profile you prefer Austin Club has you covered.

Nestled amongst the neighbourhood streets of Beckenham, The Birdwood is bustling with patrons every day of the week. By day it’s a busy cafe, by late afternoon and sundown the pizzeria restaurant springs into action. With a well-equipped bar, there are always several mocktails available and the weekly specials board will always contain one. They also stock the fabulous Bare Beer by Sawmill and the Ecology AF Gin is an option for those partial to a gin and tonic but have dedicated themselves to Dry July. Any of these beverages is the perfect companion to one of The Birdwood’s pizzas or make a proper session out of it and book in on a Sunday afternoon to enjoy their Pub Classics that they have on this winter.

When you’re heading out this Dry July, no matter what your criteria – be it a drink and a snack or a feast with all the trimmings – Bar Yoku should be at the top of your list. This family-run izakaya restaurant is located inside The Welder, serving modern Japanese eats with a unique Kiwi twist. Their sushi tacos have quickly become legendary, the raw dishes are exquisitely prepared and there’s an abundance of choices when it comes to grilled meat served on skewers. These are ideal for sharing whether you are with a date or a larger group and depending on the dining vibe you’re feeling, you can sit in the lively communal area in The Welder or opt for the more traditional sunken tables inside the restaurant.

On the beverage front, you’ll be well taken care of with an extensive non-alcoholic offering. Bar Yoku stocks two AF brands at the top of their game right now; Curious AF and Lyres, so chances are there’ll be a version of your favourite drink available. Some of their cocktails are also available sans spirits such as the Yuzu Spritz or the Smokin’ Margarita. And if you’re normally a beer drinker, order a Garage Project Tiny Hazy IPA or an Asahi Zero and you are sorted.

Known for being the first venue in New Zealand dedicated to serving natural wine, Gatherings might not be top of mind for visiting Dry July. However, always ones to innovate, owner and chef Alex Davies and his team have something special up their sleeves for the month. They will be offering a bespoke flight of three non-alcoholic drinks made in-house, to pair with each course of their ‘Let Us Feed You’ tasting menu. As the food dishes change regularly and with the season, so too will the beverages and you can be guaranteed they will be unlike anything you have tried before. Feel at home and welcome in the dining space, the petite size adds to the cosiness of the experience, as does the friendly service.

Speaking of cosy vibes, you’ll find these in abundance at Dux Dine, inhabiting a charming villa on Riccarton Road, complete with a roaring fire which is so perfect on cooler wintery July days. With a food menu designed around seafood and plant-based options, the Dux Dine team is versed in catering for their patrons’ different dietary needs and choices. So when it comes to ordering a non-alcoholic drink during Dry July they have you covered. There’s the Lyre’s range of 0% spirits, Zeffer’s 0% cider, Garage Project’s Tiny Hazy IPA and mocktails so delicious you’ll be pleased there isn’t any alcohol so you can order plenty without worrying how you’ll feel the day after. The Naughty or Nice is a great substitute for those partial to a spicy margarita or for something fresh and fruity the Tropical Tease is perfection. They’ll also accommodate your teetotal needs if you’re partaking in their famous Bubbly Brunch, switching out the bubbles for their mocktails, other non-alcoholic drinks or coffees.

Perched on the upper level of The Terrace, The Craft Embassy has brilliant views overlooking the Avon River and an epic range of craft beers showcasing a whole host of independent New Zealand brewers. Luckily for those of us embarking on Dry July, this includes five non-alcoholic beers by the can or bottle with Garage Project’s Tiny XPA and Tiny Hazy, Sawmill’s Bare Beer Pale Ale and Hazy, and the State of Play IPA. If beer isn’t your cup of tea, their mocktails are stellar, with creative names to boot. We’re talking the Aporo Nojito with apple, soda, lime, and mint, the Garden City Countess with Earl Grey, honey, raspberry, and lemon, and our personal favourite the Berry Pina Nolada with pineapple, coconut cream and strawberry. If you’re visiting for drinks only, you’d be wise to revise this plan and at least order some sharing plates, the food at The Craft Embassy never disappoints.