It’s Cool AF: The World’s First Alcohol-Free Beer Bar

At half past noon on a Thursday, Brewdog AF, the world’s first alcohol-free beer bar, is quieter than the Scottish craft brewer’s other bars, with only half the tables full. Located near Old Street station, co-workers and mates mingle over booze-free beverages, nursing faux-beers and coffees.

In the corner there’s a group of middle-aged men in matching checkered shirts having a deep conversation in one of the many booths, a group of 20-somethings catching up over lunch at a large table, a few guys typing away on laptops, a young couple cuddling and sipping on cappuccinos, and men in jumpers and munching on vegan burgers and chips with their ales as part of Dry January. From the outside Brewdog AF looks almost identical to the other locations, minus the small print that states: “This is an alcohol free premises and must be enjoyed irresponsibly.” In fact, the only visible difference between Brewdog AF and the bar around the corner is that there’s not a single alcoholic drink in sight.

“You do get people coming in saying, ‘Why is there no alcohol?’” explained Ellie, the bar’s general manager, who said many people mistake it for a regular Brewdog. “But most people are really interested in seeing what alcohol-free beer tastes like now since it’s a lot better than it’s ever been.”

Decorated with industrial-style lights and furnishings, tall ceilings, greenery and white-wood painted tables, Brewdog AF is a typical Shoreditch hipster bar. Instead of offering traditional ales, it boasts a range of alcohol-free beverages, with 15 beers on tap, along with cider, kombucha, wine, cocktails, and coffee. The food menu is same as other Brewdog locations and has a wide selection of burgers and wings, along with some vegan-friendly options in addition to the AF’s specials, which includes avocado and feta sourdough toast, a chicken burger, and chickpea salad.

Matt, a 30-something who works three minutes away from the joint, didn’t realize the bar was alcohol-free until after looking at the menu, and noted it’s the same as any of Brewdog’s other locations, minus the reek of booze. When he realized the food was just as good and the beer was tasty, he decided to bring his co-workers for lunch.

“I think it’s really nice that you can just all come out as a bunch of friends and just enjoy the same atmosphere and environment and the kind of things you’d normally expect from a pub and a bar without having to drink alcohol,” chimed Simon, Matt’s co-worker.

Simon explained that when he’s done Dry January in the past, he’d had limited options of either drinking Coke or lemonade at the pub, but that it was nice to have a range of options that actually taste like alcohol.

Since it joined the alcohol industry in 2007, Brewdog has always been a pioneer in creating low-alcohol beers across the UK. In 2009, it released the UK’s best-selling alcohol-free beer, Nanny State, and later began offering alcohol-free beer on tap. For customers who can’t get enough of the booze, the chain is offering a ‘Drink All You Can Jan’ initiative that allows customers to have unlimited free refills on all alcohol-free beers throughout the month at any of its 51 U.K. locations, which Jen Macfarlane, the bar’s operations manager, said people were excited about given the prices of pints, which range from £3.90 to £5.80 for a sub .5% pint.

Although the AF bar is a pilot, Ellie thinks the company will open more of the around the UK since the location is packed every night from 6–8 p.m. With 24 percent of beer drinkers choosing lower alcohol or alcohol-free options, she thinks the trend will continue long after Dry January.

“There’s a lot of people who just don’t drink that much anyway,” Ellie explained. In the U.K., more than a quarter of 16-to-24-year-olds who abstain from alcohol. “I guess there’s a lot of people doing Dry January, but also people who just want to have a good time.”

Whether you’re after a hangover-free evening, play a round of bingo, or wish to do some work somewhere other than at a coffee shop, Brewdog AF has something for everyone (minus the booze).

Find it at 211 Old Street, London EC1V 9NR.