UK’s first no and low alcohol pub to open in London

Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has announced it is opening the UK’s first ever no and low alcohol pub.

The Clean Vic No and Low Alcohol pub will open its doors on New Oxford Street from 24 to 25 July, serving a range of beers, wines and mocktails which are all entirely non-alcoholic or have an ABV of 0.5%.

Customers will have the chance to try the UK’s first non-alcoholic dark distillate, Celtic Soul, which offers a “refined and sophisticated drinks experience that takes the appeal of whisky”. The new drink will be on offer alongside over 20 types of beverages available at Sainsbury’s, including a range of beers such as Lucky Saint, mocktails such as an Everleaf – a non-alcoholic aperitif – spritz, and a collection of wines.

Entry to the pub will cost just £5, which also entitles attendees to two drinks of their choice and two bar snacks throughout their visit.

The Clean Vic No and Low Alcohol pub will also be offering immersive masterclasses for drinkers looking for some inspiration on how to cut down on their alcohol intake.

Millie Gooch, founder of Sober Girl Society, will host a no and low alcohol cocktail making masterclass, or customers can try a range of no and low ABV beers and lagers with a beer tasting session. Each workshop costs £12 to book, and will also give customers entry to the pub itself afterwards.

This comes as Sainsbury’s has seen a 31.8% increase in sales of no and low alcoholic products in the last 12 weeks and a 33% increase in customers searching for non-alcoholic products online.

Anne Cooper, buyer at Sainsbury’s, said: “We’re seeing a really exciting spike in the no and low alcohol category at Sainsbury’s which has been growing since 2001. With an increasing number of products now available, those who want to hold off on alcoholic beverages don’t need to miss out on the experience of enjoying a beer with friends or even a mocktail made with a delicious non-alcoholic distillate.

“From speaking to customers, we know there is still some uncertainty about what these no and low alcohol products taste like and how they are made. So, our specially curated workshops in the Clean Vic will help customers learn more about these drinks, providing key tasting notes given by the experts.”