Dazzling Drinks for Every Preference

Wild Child sits perched on a lively corner of Downtown Shawnee. Inside, the evening’s last rays of light make the bar’s floral wallpapers shine so bright they're glowing. But the most captivating colors of the night can be found inside a glass: Vibrant yellows, pinks and oranges invite patrons of all preferences to grab a drink and linger on the rich flavors contained within.

Of course, every moment of the experience is by design. A sibling of the full-alcohol Drastic Measures—a 2023 James Beard Foundation Awards finalist—and located right next door, Wild Child relies on the input of true experts to deliver a second-to-none cocktail bar experience in an alcohol-optional setting. A menu of a dozen non-alcoholic drinks joins a robust wine list and a selection of alcoholic cocktails to create an atmosphere that welcomes guests of all palates and practices.

Best of all, you're guaranteed a top-tier experience at Wild Child no matter how you choose to order. Punch recognized the recent addition among its five best new cocktail bars in America in 2023, landing it among elite company throughout the country.

Zero-Proof Drinks, Top-Tier Ambiance

For more liquor-free libations and enviable atmospheres, hit up the bar at these hotspots throughout the region.

Head to Leawood and take in all the ambiance of an upscale cocktail bar that caters to every inclination at Verdigris. With an array of non-alcoholic spirits available behind the bar, Verdigris prepares a collection of classic and seasonal drinks in zero-proof fashion.

Make the trip to Lawrence for the Nostalgia Room, a destination where sans-liquor libations take center stage. Nostalgia Room is entirely free of alcohol, cultivating an inviting neighborhood bar experience for all. (And while you’re in the area, head up the street to 715 for another round. In addition to a range of warm and comforting dishes, the eclectic restaurant’s menu prioritizes non-alcoholic cocktails.)

If you’re looking for a gathering spot where cocktails and spirits-free beverages can be enjoyed in perfect harmony, Thou Mayest River Quay is a woodsy outpost in the River Market that fits the bill perfectly. Stellar coffee and tea selections are served alongside traditional mixed drinks well into the evening.

In the nearby West Bottoms, a spirit-free menu marries with a striking, indulgent atmosphere at the Campground. Sip on the same refreshing flavors you'd expect from any traditional cocktail with an N/A spritz or gimlet.

N/A Options at KC Breweries

Kansas City's opportunities are vast to enjoy all the social benefits of gathering in a local taproom without requiring alcohol intake. If you're looking for a close cousin of a traditional beer, begin with a Flying Start non-alcoholic IPA from Boulevard Brewing Co. The crisp, hoppy pour is available to drink on the premises and in cans to take home at the Boulevard Beer Hall, along with an N/A lemon wheat and a Quirk superfruit seltzer.

Several popular area breweries infuse one of beer's essential flavor profiles into a refreshing N/A option through house-prepared hop waters. Give them a try at KC Bier Co., Vine Street Brewing Co. and City Barrel Brewery + Kitchen.

For a beverage full of flavor and focused on health benefits, crack open a locally-made Lucky Elixir Kombucha at Casual Animal Brewing Co. in the Crossroads, Cinder Block Brewery in North Kansas City, Crane Brewing Company in Raytown or East Forty Brewing in Independence.

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