Overview
All of the taste, none of the hangover: that's what the recent move towards booze-free beers, wines, spirits and cocktails has promised. And, whether you're playing designated driver for a night, embracing Dry July midyear or just don't partake in the hard stuff for whatever reason you fancy, the trend has been rewarding non-drinkers' tastebuds with much-welcomed sipping options other than the usual soft drinks, juices and sparkling waters.
Even bottle-os have been getting in on the zero-alcohol action, as you've likely spotted if you've browsed through your local rather than heading straight for your favourite tipple — and Dan Murphy's is now taking the idea a step further. The big booze-store chain has just launched its first-ever bar, a standalone venue, but it's strictly a teetotalling affair. Indeed, this Melbourne hangout only serves up drinks that won't give you a fuzzy head and fast-food cravings the next day.
Bars that don't serve booze aren't new — back in 2021, Melbourne also became home to Brunswick Aces' Aussie-first temptation-free drinking destination, and it's no longer alone across Australia — but a brand as synonymous with alcohol as Dan Murphy's ditching the hooch is clearly designed to make a statement. The resulting watering hole is called Zero% by Dan Murphy's and pours more than 30 different non-alcoholic beverages at the bar, as well as selling 200-plus other booze-free drinks to take home.
So, Melburnians can now stop by the Hampton spot for zero-booze beers from $2.99, including on tap — sips such as Urban Alley Pale Ale and Mornington Free Pale Ale — and 11 different wines sans alcohol starting from $5 a glass. Cocktails are also on the menu, as are booze-free premixes. And while Zero% dishes up snacks as well, patrons are able to order in their own food via delivery services.
Folks eager to get drinking while staying stone-cold sober can head along seven days a week from 11am, with the bar staying open until later on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. But, although clearly aiming to get customers equating Dan Murphy's with more than just liquor long-term, Zero% is only sticking around for a few months — operating until the end of June.
While there's no booze on offer — some drinks might contain up to 0.5-percent alcohol by volume, but they're considered non-alcoholic by Food Standards Australia — you might still get carded upon entering or ordering a tipple at Zero%. That's part of Dan Murphy's policy to ensure that alcohol-like products aren't sold to under-18s.
So yes, with no kids, dim lighting and bartenders serving drinks, the aim is to recreate the usual bar experience — just without the headaches.
Zero% by Dan Murphy's is now open at 470 Hampton Street, Hampton — trading 11am–9pm Thursday–Saturday and 11am–7pm Sunday–Wednesday.