With Dry July kicking off this Saturday, thousands of Australians will be putting down the alcohol for the month to help raise funds for people affected by cancer.
But there’s no need to skip a night out if you’ve opted to go alcohol-free for a good cause, with plenty of great local Parramatta venues ready to serve up a mean mocktail this Dry July.
The Meat & Wine Co
Inspired by African heritage, The Meat & Wine Co Parramatta combines Afro-centric design with modern interiors to create a warm atmosphere that’s perfect for dinner or a casual after-work drink. To help you get through Dry July, the Church Street restaurant has four different, equally as tasty, non-alcoholic drinks available to order.
Quench your thirst with drinks like the Love Thy Lychee or spice things up with the Dark and Spicy, made with Lyre’s Spiced Cane and Fever-Tree Ginger Beer. There’s even three mocktails made specifically for kids, for those after a family-friendly venue.
Ruse Bar and Brasserie
A popular spot for after-work drinks, Ruse Bar and Brasserie has long-since established itself as the place to go for a glass of wine or two. But don’t feel like you need to avoid temptation by skirting the Parramatta Square bar on your way to the train station this Dry July. With a range of mocktails available to order, Ruse Bar and Brasserie lets you enjoy a night out with colleagues, alcohol-free. The Strawberry Smash mocktail, made with strawberries, cranberries, lemon, guava and lemon, is sure to be a popular choice among visitors.
Hunter & Barrel
Although they may be one of the newest arrivals to Parramatta’s food and drink scene, Hunter & Barrel is already making waves with its slow-cooked meats and huge signature feast boards. But that doesn’t mean the drink offerings are any less impressive.
Along with a menu full of barrel-aged and classic cocktail drinks, Hunter & Barrel also utilises the award-winning range of Lyre’s non alcoholic spirits to serve up some delicious non-alcoholic cocktails.
Bar30 & Bistro
Ease into the afternoon or the weekend with a mocktail at ParkRoyal’s BAR30 & Bistro. The bar has three non-alcoholic beverages on its menu, all of which are refreshing and delicious. The Lychee Love blends together lychee, strawberry syrup, pineapple juice and apple juice, while the Watermelon Cooler is made up of watermelon, mint, lime and soda water. But if you really want to feel like you’re on a summer holiday, opt for the Passion Fruit Mojito.
Alex & Co.
Alex & Co. may be best known for its extensive cocktail menu, but the Church Street restaurant also offers up a solid selection of mocktails. With open dining and bar spaces, visitors will be able to enjoy a meal with friends or family while sipping on fruity mocktails like the Very Berry Punch or the Coco Loco.
Visit http://www.dryjuly.com for more info.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.