“I woke up today and felt great,” says Julie Robinson. “But if I went out drinking last night, I wouldn’t get anything done today.”
Robinson was drinking, but not drinking alcohol. She’s the co-owner of alcohol-free bottle shop Beyond the Bar, located in the Downtown Core District of Richardson. It’s a vintage-looking shop full of colorful bottles, cans and more — all minus the booze, of course.
It all started with an alcohol-free pop-up in January 2023 and four friends who wanted to create a new business venture centered around feeling good.
So why are people searching for nonalcoholic options? Well, why do we drink? Robinson says people drink for three reasons: taste, feeling and ritual. But she points out how much time we waste being hungover, and as a former college student, I can attest to those lazy days following a late night out with friends and a few too many drinks.
“We just wanted to be a place for anybody that is interested in a healthier lifestyle,” Robinson says. “We want to be a place where people can not only come and be educated and purchase products but where they can come and relax.”
Robinson says alcohol-free beverages are increasingly popular, yet she and her husband, Reid Robinson, faced challenges when seeking these options in North Texas — all of Texas, actually. “We are only the second alcohol-free bottle shop in the state of Texas, the first in Dallas,” Robinson says.
The Robinsons aren’t new to the drinks game — but their prior establishment was boozy. The husband-and-wife duo formerly owned two well-known bars in Richardson, the Forum and Brizo, but after realizing that lifestyle didn’t appeal to them anymore, they wanted to explore healthier options. They joined forces with Andrea Benningfield and Jennifer Benningfield to bring a new venture to North Texas. Robinson explains that the inspiration for their alcohol-free venture came from Andrea’s Instagram page, known as @dallas_0_proof, which highlights local nonalcoholic options at restaurants, bars and even movie theatres.
So when space in downtown Richardson opened up, the four business partners agreed to establish a permanent residence for their pop-up concept, transforming it into a dedicated bottle shop with a cozy yet fun ambiance. “We got such a great response from the pop-up; it just made sense to open a brick-and-mortar location,” Robinson tells me.
Now, I must admit — I was skeptical. Is the booze-free take any good? Trust me, it is. Take the Lavender French 75 for example: it’s sweet, but not too sweet. Floral, but not earthy. And the best part is, it’s more mature and fun than a soda, but it won’t give me a headache. The shop’s motto is fitting: “Feeling Good AF.”
Beer, wine, gin, whiskey, vodka — no matter your beverage preference, you’ll find a nonalcoholic alternative at Beyond the Bar, and one that is likely locally made.
And with these types of alcohol-free beverages, we don’t have to give up the rituals and traditions. Robinson says that every Friday in their house is pizza night — a family tradition full of greasy pies and movies. She opens a bottle of alcohol-free wine, and instead of feeling poorly come Saturday morning, she wakes up feeling refreshed.
Robinson explains that they aren’t anti-alcohol, and that’s not what they promote. Instead, they hope to provide a safe and fun environment where anyone can explore nonalcoholic options.
The bottleshop often hosts events for the community where sober-curious or alcohol-free folks can enjoy drinks and meet others. From holiday parties to sober celebrations, the shop wants guests to feel a part of the community.
As the shop continues to welcome more and more customers and curious guests, expansion is likely. And Collin County may not be out of the question when the time comes.
“It’s important to meet people that are like-minded,” Robinson says. “And that’s one thing that we can do with our socials. You can meet other people that are trying to cut down or stop drinking. And really just finding something that you enjoy.”
