No designated driver needed, drink up at Sacramento Zero Proof Sober Bar’s ‘dry disco’

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Mocktails have become increasingly popular (and tasty) over the last few years, and that trend accelerated as consumers reevaluated their relationships with booze during the pandemic. Now that bars have fully reopened, is it any wonder there’s an alcohol-free watering hole on the way?

Zero Proof Sober Bar, Sacramento’s lone alcohol-free pop-up bar, is hosting a “dry disco” on Friday, June 10 in North Oak Park. It will be Zero Proof Sober Bar owner Taylor Mount’s first independent event after serving at weddings, birthday parties and mini-festivals like First Fridays at the Warehouse Artist Lofts since February.

The dry (and silent) disco will run outside from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 3408 3rd Ave., known as Esther’s Park. Admission starts at $20 per person, with tickets available through Eventbrite, and will rise to $25 after May 29. Drinks are not included.

Local artists Ashley Deering (AKA Depressed Happily) and Celeste Perez (Digital Mami to her fans) will paint on the spot as DJ Genetixx spins a mix of 70s throwbacks and Top 40 hits. Attendees are asked to come sober and refrain from smoking during the event.

Mount will make virgin Cuba Libres, margaritas and gin mojitos from boozeless spirits such as Lyre’s and Ritual; other options will include Athletic Brewing beer, Sovi and TÖST wine and Kin Euphorics, meant to give a relaxed, happy feeling similar to kava.

“Of course you get some people (at events) who would really prefer their bar was alcoholic, but there are so many people who are so excited to see me, who haven’t heard of an alcohol-free bar before or haven’t heard that these specialty products existed,” Mount said.

Think of the June 10 disco as a “dry run” for the brick-and-mortar Zero Proof Sober Bar that Mount hopes to open one day. A construction manager by trade, she started drinking more and more while working from home during the pandemic. After attempting to quit several times, she gave up alcohol for good on Sept. 19, 2021.

Even though Mount now appreciates local bars’ expanded nonalcoholic options, she wasn’t comfortable going out for a time after getting sober. A nonalcoholic bar would give teetotalers and the sober-curious a place to socialize without unwanted temptation, she said.

“I think there’s a hesitation around (a sober bar), being new. But from what I’ve heard from the community, people are so ready for it,” Mount said. “I get asked at every event if I’m going to be opening permanent brick-and-mortar spot.”

What I’m Eating

I had a really nice solo feast at Avatar’s Indian Bistro, which opened in January at 8657 Auburn Folsom Rd. in Granite Bay. Brightly decorated with umbrellas hanging from the ceiling, it’s part of an ownership family that also claims Avatar Indian Grill in Salinas and Aabha Indian Cuisine in Sonoma.

Avatar’s has a creative streak rarely seen at the region’s suburban North Indian restaurants, as shown in apricot-fig salads and racks of lamb marinated in papaya and pineapple juice. Vegetarian options are plentiful and nuanced, like the tangy chickpea-yellow pigeon pea soup ($6) full of South Asia’s familiar combination of lemongrass and coconut milk.

The black gram dal ($14) was a highlight, its namesake legumes cooked with kidney beans overnight over a low flame. A deep smokiness from a house spice blend deftly cut through the stew’s creamy taste and consistency.

The seekh kebab ($20) was just as flavorful, its gamey pink meat grilled in a tandoor and marked with Mughlai (Indo-Persian) herbs and spices. Served naked and off-skewer, it was tasty enough on its own but also a great vessel to sample Avatar’s trio of tableside chutneys: tamarind, cilantro and red capsicum.

Openings & Closings

• Popular Placer County brunch spot Mario’s Early Toast just opened its third location, this one at 4460 Rocklin Road in Rocklin. With a broad menu including Mexican dishes, gluten-free pancakes and 25 varieties of mimosas, there’s something for everyone.
  
  
• Fourk Kitchen also opened its third location Friday, adding 1177 Riley St. in Folsom to its outposts in Lincoln and Reno. Chef/owner Paul Jensen, who also founded Citizen Vine in Folsom, offers four courses for $54 at his prix-fixe concept.
• Connecticut-based Wayback Burgers will open its eighth California location at 1351 W. Covell Blvd. in Davis, The Bee’s Dominique Williams reported. The fast food chain can also be found in Roseville, Folsom and South Sacramento.
• Messy’s Tacos & Brews is shutting down its Loomis food stand in mid-June after five years, owner Jesse Harris announced on Facebook. It’ll keep serving breakfast burritos, pork belly tacos and more from the Messy’s Tacos & Treats food truck.

This story was originally published May 27, 2022 at 5:00 AM.