MetroWest Spots for Festive Drinks (With or Without Alcohol)
I hit 40 and realized: even one drink can make me feel like I have a hangover.
Most of the time, I'd just rather avoid it entirely.
But once in a while, I like having something festive and fun when I'm out with friends.
Wherever you're at with drinking - whether you're doing Dry January, drinking less, or just want options - here's what actually exists in MetroWest.
Places with Real Mocktail Programs
Buttercup (Natick) Address: 1021 Worcester Street (Route 9), Natick
What works here:
Seasonal mocktail menu (they rotate drinks)
Bartenders know how to balance flavors without alcohol
You can also ask for "something festive but non-alcoholic"
What to expect:
Mocktails are $12-15 (same price as cocktails)
They take it seriously, not just soda water with lime
Weeknight evenings (5:30-6:30 PM) are quieter
Alta Strada (Wellesley) Address: 92 Central Street, Wellesley
Why I'm including this:
Upscale enough to feel like "going out"
Italian sodas and house lemonades that taste intentional
Staff won't make you feel weird for not drinking
Order strategy:
Ask the server what they recommend for non-alcoholic
Skip the "virgin cocktails" menu - ask for what they're actually proud of
The Farmhouse (Needham) Address: 975 Great Plain Avenue, Needham
The advantage:
Farm-to-table means they care about ALL their drinks
They'll make non-alcoholic versions of their house drinks
Feels special without being pretentious
Other MetroWest Options
Look for restaurants that:
Have craft cocktail programs (they usually have better mocktail options)
List "house-made sodas" or "botanical drinks" on the menu
Have bartenders who seem engaged (not just mixing from recipes)
Towns with better options:
Wellesley (several upscale restaurants with mocktail menus)
Natick (newer restaurants tend to have options)
Newton (more diverse drink menus overall)
The Coffee Shop Pivot
When you want the social aspect without restaurant pressure:
Karma Coffee Roasters (Wayland/Sudbury line)
Open until 5 PM
Cozy seating for actual conversation
Nobody expects alcohol at a coffee shop
You can meet friends here instead of a bar
Haute Coffee (Concord)
Open until 6 PM on weekends
More sophisticated than typical coffee shop
Works for "meeting for drinks" without the drinks
The Honest Truth
Most MetroWest restaurants don't have great mocktail programs yet.
When you're somewhere without options:
Order sparkling water with bitters and lime (gives you something more than plain water)
Ask for "a fancy soda" and let the bartender suggest something
Get an Italian soda if they have flavored syrups
You don't have to explain why you're not drinking.
"I'll have the [mocktail name]" or "Can you make something non-alcoholic?" is enough.
If You're Making Drinks at Home
MetroWest spots that carry better ingredients:
Sudbury Joy Address: 465 Boston Post Road, Sudbury
Seedlip (non-alcoholic spirits)
High-end bitters and mixers
Whole Foods (Wayland, Framingham, Newton)
Fever-Tree mixers
Botanical sodas
Pre-made mocktail ingredients
Local liquor stores often carry:
Non-alcoholic beer and wine (quality has improved dramatically)
Mocktail recipe ingredients
Ask - they're starting to stock more options
The bottom line:
Whether you're not drinking at all, drinking less, or just want something festive without the hangover - the options are getting better.
You shouldn't have to settle for soda water and lime.