So, a guy walks into a bar.

(And he’d rather not order another ginger ale.)

The story so far

Cocktail bars are awesome. Cozy, classy, comfortable. I even lived above a hotel in Chicago for a year, with direct elevator access to one of the best in the city. It was incredible. But like an increasing number of people, I stopped drinking alcohol a while ago. It wasn’t a huge thing - no rock bottom moment or grand realization - it just wasn’t for me anymore. And it’s been (mostly) great. I sleep like a champ, I’m feeling calm and clear, life is good. The (mostly) part: non-alcoholic options on bar menus often suck. They too often feel like an afterthought, a second-tier option that doesn’t meet the moment and makes you stand out for what you’re not drinking.

Great cocktails help mark special moments with people we care about and add color to the everyday rituals of our lives. We believe in the importance of connection, and that in these moments, it’s not really about the alcohol.

I still want to go grab a fun drink with friends, or have a creative, seasonal cocktail in a cozy place before dinner. Let’s figure out how to make that happen.

I started The Still Bar because I wanted better nonalcoholic options that felt exciting and meaningful. After I stopped drinking, I found myself craving something special to mark life’s moments. I’ve always loved cooking and cocktails, and this brand brings those passions together.

Most nonalcoholic brands treat sobriety as a flavor problem, so they chase imitations, trying to mimic alcohol’s taste or burn. Instead, we view it as a belonging problem. People who choose not to drink can feel sidelined in life’s most meaningful moments: gatherings, celebrations, toasts, rituals. The Still Bar isn’t about abstinence. It’s about presence.

We don’t just replicate alcohol. We reimagine the experience without it, crafting drinks for celebration, for the feeling of being proudly, joyfully seen when you raise a glass.

The Still Bar is for anyone who wants to drink something beautiful and flavorful without alcohol. Whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just taking a night off, you deserve something that doesn’t make you feel like you’re missing out.

That’s the vision behind The Still Bar. We’re going to build the killer cocktail bar you want to hang out in, with a rotating menu of inventive, seasonal drinks inspired by our partners at several Michigan farms and local growers. We’re focused primarily on making excellent, perfectly balanced cocktails. They just happen to be alcohol free.

By the way, I’m Nate. I’m a research scientist in Ann Arbor, and this is my next adventure. Below, you’ll find regular updates as we grow this thing. It’s a big project and we’re going to have a good time.