Gone are the days when a night out meant having a drink in your hand. Across Detroit and beyond, a new kind of inclusivity is rising – and it’s alcohol-free.
Driven largely by Gen Z, younger generations are reshaping social norms that have long tied drinking to fun, freedom, and fitting in. And it’s not just about abstinence – it’s about intention. Whether it’s health, mindfulness, or simply the desire to feel better the next day, young people are exploring new ways to socialize and connect.
In fact, according to a 2023 Gallup poll, the number of adults under 35 who say they drink alcohol dropped ten percentage points in the last two decades—from 72% in 2001-2003 to just 62% in 2021-2023. The National Institute on Drug Abuse also notes that drinking among young people has been steadily declining since 2000.
This shift is playing out across Detroit’s bar and restaurant scene, and one new spot is going all in. In February, Karlyta Williams opened Detroit’s first fully non-alcoholic club and cocktail lounge called Mockery Zero Proof.
For Williams, the journey started during the pandemic. “I did a lot of self-examination during COVID and decided I wanted to rise to the occasion and do something different,” she says. During quarantine, she began experimenting with non-alcoholic spirits and found joy in creating mocktails that didn’t compromise on flavor or experience.
She then took the concept mobile for three years, hosting pop-ups around the city before evolving into the new permanent space.
MOCKERY ZERO PROOF
“The shop is about people connecting, being able to have moments with others without anything standing in your way or changing you like alcohol sometimes does,” she explains. “I never really set out to start a business, but it’s been a wonderful journey.”
Mockery now hosts a rotating lineup of alcohol-free events from Bellinis and Belly Dancing to Booze-Free Bingo. “Every event has sold out,” she says. “People are not just showing up for the drinks – they’re showing up for the vibe, the connection, the experience.”
Williams says she sees every age group walk through her doors – each with a different “why” behind their alcohol-free choices. From wellness seekers to the sober-curious, from religious abstainers to intermittent drinkers, she says the reasons vary. What they share is the desire for a space that doesn’t revolve around alcohol.
“I view it as people freeing themselves,” she says. “Free from something they felt they had to do socially. And no one’s asking why you’re not drinking here.”
That mindset seems especially appealing to students and younger adults, and being located near the University of Detroit Mercy was purposeful. “I wanted to give students a new kind of social norm,” she says. “Somewhere to connect without alcohol.”
Atmosphere is everything at Mockery. Williams designed the space herself, aiming to create a sensory-rich experience that feels like a gift. “We all know alcohol doesn’t necessarily relax you, the environment does,” she says. “Music, light, mood, energy. All of it matters.”
And while Mockery may be all in, Detroit’s other establishments are taking note, too.
Ping Ho, CEO of Backbone Hospitality (Marrow Detroit, Mink Detroit, The Royce, and Marrow Detroit Provisions) notes that this evolution isn’t just driven by generational values. “I think the alcohol industry is evolving for many macro reasons,” she says. “Economic pressures, from recession fears to EU tariff threats, are influencing spending across age groups and these financial factors may be driving the change as much as generational values.”
MARROW
Sean Patrick, owner of Willis Show Bar and sober for nearly 14 years, has long included non-alcoholic options at his venue. But in recent years, the bar has expanded its offerings to meet rising demand. “Since the pandemic, we’ve added more N/A options directly to the menu rather than just making them by request,” he says. “We’re seeing a broader, more interesting selection of faux wines, beers, and spirits.”
While he says Gen Z is only a portion of the crowd moving in this direction, it’s a swing he thinks will last. “We’ll keep paying attention and adapting to what our customers want. At the end of the day, Willis Show Bar has always been about music and community. That’s our foundation.”
Will Lee, beverage director and co-owner at Four Man Ladder (Grey Ghost, Basan, and Second Best), agrees. “Gen Z is leaning into lower ABV options and showing more mindfulness around drinking,” he says. “We’ve added an entire no-ABV section to our menu, and it’s treated with the same attention as our cocktails.”
WILLIS SHOW BAR
Lee says this shift hasn’t hurt their bottom line at all. In fact, it’s helping them reach a broader audience. “It’s about making sure everyone feels included no matter what they want to drink,” he says.
Fellow Four Man Ladder partner Michael Grey adds that this trend fits within a larger evolution. “I’m convinced this is part of a lasting shift in wellness and lifestyle choices,” he says. “People are thinking more critically about health, mental well-being, and the long-term impact of their choices.”
And in spaces where alcohol isn’t the focal point, experience becomes everything. “We want our venues to feel like a reflection of our community,” Grey says. “It’s about comfort, atmosphere, and making people feel at home – whether they’re in a three-piece suit or a tracksuit.”
In the end, Ho says, “Spaces, thoughtful hospitality, and a focus on great food and quality beverages are the core elements of a dining experience. Alcohol is just one piece of that larger equation.”
Whether you’re fully sober, intermittently drinking, or just looking to try something new, one thing’s clear: Detroit’s hospitality scene is ready for you.
And the drink in your hand? That part’s up to you.
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