The Best Mocktails for Enjoying All the Flavor & None of the Alcohol in Columbia, MO

Would you consider yourself a part of the “Sober Curious” movement? You’re not alone! More people today are experimenting with an alcohol-free lifestyle, and Columbia’s best restaurants and bars are making their contribution by serving unforgettable mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks. A mocktail is a classic mixed drink that’s still packed with flavor without vodka, tequila, or other spirits. This rising trend is helping to create a more inclusive bar and nightlife scene where everyone gets the tasty drinks they crave. Let’s raise a glass and explore the best mocktail menus in Columbia!

44 Canteen



If you and your friends want to share company and drinks over a gargantuan plate of nachos, find a parking spot downtown and head to 44 Canteen! As a Columbia staple for amazing tacos, burgers, sandwiches, and more, 44 Canteen is always innovating to better serve its patrons. That’s why their extensive bar menu includes a section of flavorful, well-rounded mocktails that anybody can sip! Order the Baby Tiger with lemonade, orange juice, grenadine, and lime, or if you want something with a little kick, The Firefly comes with pineapple juice, cranberry juice, lime, and jalapeño simple syrup.

Tropical Liqueurs 

Whether visiting in the heart of downtown or taking a trip to southside Columbia, Tropical Liqueurs is where you can sit outside on a sunny day and drink larger-than-life mixed slushies. Since 1985, this has been a classic happy hour spot for those who want a frozen twist on their favorite cocktails and spirits! But if you’re just in the mood for a tasty, cold treat on a hot day without the alcohol, you can order their delicious Fruit Punch flavor, grab a straw, and sit with your friends inside or out on the patio.

The Penguin Piano Bar & Restaurant

There’s no place for a celebration quite like The Penguin Piano Bar & Restaurant in downtown Columbia. After bouncing back from the COVID-19 pandemic and reopening in early 2024, this beloved nightclub is back with some new improvements–and it’s not just the remodeling or new restaurant menu. The Penguin offers several non-alcoholic options such as tropical mocktails with juice, non-alcoholic beers, and even a CBD seltzer from 4 Hands Brewing Co., one of Missouri’s top local breweries. Of course, the classic Shirley Temple is always an option if you want that sweet, fizzy, cherry flavor you know and love. Just make sure you don’t spill while you’re dancing your heart out to the live music.

Las Margaritas 

Want to know the best place to grab a cold margarita and hot, delicious Mexican food? We’ll give you a hint: it’s in the name. With three different locations in Columbia, Las Margaritas is the place to go when you need something on the rocks. Even though margaritas are the highlight of their seasonal menus, they also include special non-alcoholic options with a twist. If you want to drink a Lavender Haze Lemonade with butterfly pea flower tea while your friend sips on a Piña-Rita in the summer, Las Margaritas has got you covered.