Where to find the best mocktails & non-alcoholic drinks

For the first time, I signed up for Dry July – a decision I approached with equal parts curiosity and trepidation. I expected it to feel restrictive, even joyless, but instead discovered a vibrant world of non-alcoholic drinks that were every bit as complex, refreshing and satisfying as their counterparts.

Here’s a curated round-up of standout Margaret River Region venues that turned my first Dry July into a genuinely rewarding experience.

Inside the vibrant Origins Market, there’s a wealth of non-alcoholic beverages to choose from. “It’s about creating a space where every visitor can relax, connect and enjoy something special,” says Marketing and Events Manager Candice.

Sip on a mocktail or non-alcoholic beer from The Market Bar, grab a barista-made coffee from Obison Coffee Roasters, enjoy a bubble tea from Onya, or cool down with a Livity Juice granita at Farmers’ Lane. Perfect options to sip on between bites of global street food or while catching live music.

Strange Brew may be best known as a wine bar, but their list makes room for more than just vino. Alongside curated wines, you’ll find Lightning Minds – a locally owned non-alcoholic beer that actually tastes like the real thing and helps normalise the alcohol-free choice. True to their ethos that “wine is inclusive, not exclusive,” the team is already hunting for a non-alc wine worthy of a place on their menu. And when it does, you can be sure it will have been chosen with the same intention and care that owner Skigh brings to every bottle on the list.

Wayfinder puts an inner-city wine bar spin on the traditional cellar door experience. Alongside their range of wines, you’ll find the local Wave & Caves soda range, Rok Kombucha and the Fremantle favourite, Gage Roads non-alcoholic XPA ‘Yeah Buoy’. And with their absolutely delicious farm-to-table menu, you’ll be walking out one very happy camper – trust me.

With sweeping views over the Blackwood River, this laid-back pub has become a popular stop for families and road-trippers. Their growing low- and no-alcohol options include alcohol-free beers and refreshing mocktails, meaning you can enjoy the classic Aussie pub atmosphere without the booze.

Sometimes you just want the crack of a can and the taste of a crisp beer, and CBCo’s Zero Lager delivers this all in spades. “We’re the first Australian independent craft brewery able to produce true 0.0% alcohol beer. It’s a real beer, with the alcohol removed,” says their head brewer. Expect grassy hop flavour and a true bitterness, minus the alcohol. Plus, it’s local to boot.

With a whole page dedicated to non-alcoholic drinks, Busselton Pavilion is setting the standard. Their mocktails include the Salted Peach Paloma (peach, lime, grapefruit soda and citrus sherbet), Mango Colada (with local Simmo’s ice cream), and the Bizzaro Spritz (a non-alc take on the Aperol). Their cocktail specialist has spent considerable time crafting a mocktail selection – and it shows.

Walking inside Har Bar you would be forgiven for thinking you had stepped onto a pirate ship, so it only makes sense that the team here offer a nautical-themed mocktail list, with names like Leeward, Rigging, Bulk Carrier and The Lighthouse. “As a cocktail bar, we try to level up the mocktail experience for the ones who still want to be part of a great time out,” says Cami. And Har Bar truly is a great time out.

This vibey cocktail bar is a dream for the sober-curious. Their extensive mocktail list includes tropical, citrusy and spiced creations, all crafted with the same flair as their cocktail menu. Expect beautifully styled drinks and a laidback atmosphere in the heart of Margaret River town.

A quirky bistro bar hybrid, Dear Darnell’s brings serious creativity to the mocktail scene. Try The Breeze (basil, orgeat, lemon, soda) or the Meringue Pie (vanilla, Earl Grey, lemon, aquafaba). They’re so good, you can even pay $7 to add a shot, should your friends get jealous!

Not a venue, but on the menu at several spots across the region – Margaret River Beverages’ range of adult soft drinks is packed with flavour and can be enjoyed on their own, or as easy mixers. Refreshing, herbal, and made with real fruit juice – try their Triple G ginger beer, you’ll never go back (it’s that good).

From locally made adult sodas to creative mocktails, Margaret River’s non-alcoholic scene is booming. What I thought would be a difficult month turned out to be a revelation – proof that you don’t need alcohol to drink something sophisticated, complex and worth savouring.

Dry July may be over, but you’ll still catch me sipping these non-alc beauties long after.