First impression review in a sentence: nice atmosphere, attentive service, but for me, I'm not sure the value is there. Umbrella Dry Bar just opened their first space, in a beloved Raleigh spot--old Garland-- but their name has been out there for a while. I remember trying them first a year ago during a pop-up event in City Plaza. At that time, the mocktail I ordered was $8. I couldn't tell you what it tasted like, just that it had flowers in the ice cube and I remember thinking it wasn't worth it. Now that they have their own space, a nice atmosphere and a little food, my impression has improved. However, for me, someone who is not living an alcohol-free life, it's hard to justify a $12-$15 mocktail. Now hear me out, I love what the intention is behind Umbrella, but I also get the impression that they are catering towards a sober clientele--this impression comes from the language throughout their menu. As someone who participates in sober periods, dry January, sober October, or when training time kicks in, I definitely have sought out establishments in downtown that offer this variety. And there are a fair amount of NA beer and mocktails around--although wine is hard to find. I think for me, Umbrella will be a spot that I go to for an NA beer, but I personally have a hard time justifying the price of the mocktails. I do love that they have an NA beer on DRAFT! I tried the Leo Sour with the +1 up charge of Kentucky 74 Bourbon. Not sure what the faux bourbon is supposed to taste like, but it was a sweet, amaretto drink. I appreciated the aquafaba (chickpea fluff that mimics egg white), but personally for $13, not my cup of tea. I also tried Kirby's Dreamland, this drink reminded me very much so of a shrub. It does linger and mimics more of that "alcohol bite", which I appreciated more than the prior. $12, the lowest price point on the mocktail menu, and something I enjoyed. But I can also walk over to Foundation on a Sunday and get a killer classic cocktail for $12. Rounding things out, they push their "eleve, Beauty" water when you initially sit, $5 a can, I passed, but was asked twice if I wanted it. They do offer a couple bites and popcorn on the house, which is quite tasty. No designated parking lot, but plenty of parking garages around downtown Raleigh. read more

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Attended a Popup event and tried two delicious drinks. I was really impressed at how tasty they were. I appreciated the background information regarding the restaurant and the zero proof drinks. These mocktails are really delicious and a great substitute for alcoholic beverages. read more

Umbrella Dry Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Bottom line: Umbrella Dry Bar offers a great non-alcoholic/zero proof beverage alternative destination in DTR. Nice bar atmosphere. I've liked the offerings I've sampled so far, but be aware they are still near that cocktail/alcoholic beverage price point. The Deets: Going to visit Umbrella Dry Bar (UDB) a few times in the last couple of months or so, I've had good experiences. The atmosphere is as any customer cocktail bar would be expected to be, mix of modern with classic dark bar type appeal. UDB is unique in it offers exclusively custom mocktails with near zero/zero proof and non-alcoholic beverages (beer/wine). I like this new alternative in UDB as I am looking for non-alcohol venues to frequent when going out lately. The staff have been helpful and attentive on my visits there. UDB has a fairly good sized beverage menu, sure to please just about everyone's palate. As far as their zero proof wine, I have stuck with the Gruvi Bubbly Rosé as it has a nice wine taste and fairly bubbly, and I found it goes well with their nice charcuterie offering on their Bites section of the menu. On their custom mocktails, I've tried their Leo Sour (their amaretto or bourbon sour type drink) and also the Sun-Shower which has lately changed names to I Am Healing. I favor the latter as I find the combination of Earl Grey tea, orange, lavender, and lemon very refreshing. The only thing about UDB is make sure you are still expecting a bar like tab total after the end of your visit, as these wonderful beverages still are at a regular cocktail/wine/beer type price. The process of making these beverages taste like their alcoholic counterparts and the still wonderful mixology skills of the bartenders would factor into this price I would think. However with keeping that in mind, UDB is a great stop to enjoy some flavorful non-alcoholic beverages if that's your preference on going out in DTR these days...I am saying 4.5 stars here. read more

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It was a pleasure to attend the Umbrella Bar at my first Yelp Elite event which was also the first Yelp event of the year. We'd been wanting to visit since we first heard about it during the summertime. The vibe was so laid back but had an elegant style. The Photo Booth was very fun and we enjoyed all of our selections. And The best part was we woke up hangover free! You can tell that the owners really took their time to cultivate the menu. It's something for everybody, whether you're looking for something sweet, dry or bubbly. My personal favorite was the Gruvi, Bubbly Rosé. Would highly recommend and will return another time. read more

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I started observing Dry January 6 or 7 years ago, and this will be my 5th consecutive year so needless to say, Umbrella Dry Bar caught my eye - This place just opened up (New Years Eve was their opening event which I sadly was out of town for) and will be hosting various events (mixers, jazz night etc)! I just attended one of their free sober curious mixers! It was a fun evening with about 15 people to start, but the group expanded over the first half hour or so which helped liven things up a bit. We each received a complimentary glass of bubbly (nonalcoholic of course) and were all seated in the front lounge area. Meg gave some talking/question cards for us and had us rotate every 5-7 minutes so we could meet and chat with a bunch of people. I ordered one of the eleve sparkling waters which came served in a champagne flute and also munched on some complimentary house popcorn- slightly sour but tasty. The sparkling water was refreshing and I also got to try a sip of someone else's Leo sour (pictured below). The vibe here is really upbeat, dark cozy decor and a warm atmosphere. Bathroom wall art was a mood too! I love the concept/ vision and inclusivity of this place- I agree with the other reviewer though that the price point is a bit tough to swallow for nonalcoholic drinks- I understand that most of the menu does have the actual alcohol-removed spirits (as opposed to completely nonalcoholic substitutes) . And I had a great time at the mixer, I wish it had been just a bit more structured, maybe with an introduction or having it set up in a more private/closed off area. Overall though, I think this is a really awesome spot for anyone looking to go out for a great night and not pay the price of a horrible hangover the next day, or just looking to step away from alcohol for whatever reason/duration in general! read more

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Do you want a lovely bar night without a hangover? Try Umbrella Dry Bar - a completely zero-proof, non-alcoholic bar - for a fantastic experience. The atmosphere was vibrant, and the variety of creative mocktails surpassed my expectations. These drinks are packed with healthy ingredients that make for delicious concoctions. I've visited twice, tried 4 cocktails, and haven't hit a dud yet. The Leo Sour is my favorite so far. Be prepared for drinks costing $6 (wine/beer) to $14 for a craft mocktail. It's worth every penny. These are unique experiences. The staff was friendly and accommodating, making it an enjoyable place for anyone looking for a refreshing and alcohol-free social experience. I appreciate that they are also very allergy-sensitive. They serve gluten-free crackers with their appetizers. The drinks are primarily dairy-free, using aquafaba instead of eggs or cream. They also add your allergies to your order so the kitchen can look for ingredients. This place is mindful to the max, and I appreciate that vibe. Highly recommend! read more

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What a wonderful event!!! For starters that popcorn was too good! The place smells amazing when you walk in! It's beautifully decorated and even has an option to purchase alcohol free beverages for yourself or friends. I did not order food, but again the popcorn was great! I am not a drinker so I was super excited about this wonderful option for us "boring, dry" folks! Lol! The beauty rose water was a no go for me. I tried the Espresso Martini and it had a little fruity zest for me. I would add some chocolate to it! It was stronggggg but you could tell it was healthy. It takes a while to make drinks, but they are all handcrafted and premium. I would def come back! read more

Umbrella Dry Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I'm not a "Dry January" celebrant, but I have friends who do it, and others who are living a sober lifestyle, so when this event was offered I thought it would be a fun thing to try. I was right! The location (next door to a former office space I was in for a decade!) is easy to find, and the late start on a non-weekend day meant parking was almost at the door on Fayetteville Street. This location in Raleigh has been a hot spot for years and continues to evolve as the personality of the city changes. Umbrella Dry Bar fits right in with the dark interior, upbeat soundtrack, and large booths. We were treated to a welcoming Beauty Water, a floral refresher. I enjoyed it as a reset from the day and to get ready for more to come. I next chose the Magdalena #2, a riff on a riff off the classic tiki drink, the Mai Tai. It was tropical and fruity, and the salted rim (there's cumin in the salt, too) gave it a bit of a Marg feel, but it lacked the punch I enjoy from a true tiki or Marg. I never caught any smokiness from the Jalisco 55 Free Spirits (non-alcoholic) tequila, which I was hoping would come through. It paired well enough with the warm bowl of olives I had ordered along with the Beauty Water, but still was just too sweet. Last drink was the Joyus Cabernet Sauvignon. I love a Cab, and for me, they can't be dry enough. This was not a dry "wine". It was ok, but didn't have the legs to stand up to, say, a spicy meal or even a few tacos. Tame, I guess, would be the main thought. The servers and bartenders were something else, however. They kept up with the crowd's vibe, mixing and shaking non-stop. (The two-shaker mix seems to be a thing here, as each of the folks behind the bar never just shook a single drink, unless they were also stirring a second drink in a mixing glass. It never seemed out of place, but the fact that they all did it made it seem a little rehearsed.) They put up with loads of questions from the influencers videoing and snapping pictures, all the while keeping the drink tickets going. Props to the team! One of the other guests I was chatting with mentioned that the prices were high for not getting the full experience, but these are actual liquors that have had their alcohol removed, which means they actually cost more to manufacture. I wonder if this could be done better by making something that tastes like the actual liquor, but not the booze itself. Removing the alcohol seems to remove the soul of the spirit and the taste of the liquor. I do like the idea of the space, but I'm a person who likes the spirit-forward taste of alcohol, so it's not for me. The sober people in my life that are forthcoming have not been hampered by going to a "real" bar and just ordering a mocktail, and no one in my friend group ever gives anyone grief for their drink order. Most of my sober friends are pretty far along in their sober journey. I could see this working as a place where you could have both these cocktails and real drinks in the same space, so there would be no "judgement" or having to decide "either/or." I just don't see it as a place a drinker would want to go just to hang with those who are dry unless it's a special event. read more

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So many positives to say about this place! The concept behind this bar is brilliant. If you're looking for a place that supports a healthier mindset and positive atmosphere this is your place. This was my first experience at a dry bar and it was amazing. They have carefully curated a perfect mix of nonalcoholic cocktails, wine, and beer. Also, for the light snack they offer a few small bites with vegan options. This is the perfect place to dress up with your girls to enjoy good music with an alternative bar vibe. Also just a few recommendations if you're having a hard time deciding...can't go wrong with the Magdalena, Kirby's Dreamland, or Blood Orange IPA. Lastly, the vegan charcuterie is a must! read more

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If you're in the mood for a tasty (non alcoholic) drink for a date night, meet up with friends, or before dinner - with a nice moody ambiance and good music, check out Umbrella Dry bar. We tried several 'cocktails' and all were tasty with interesting flavor profiles. Our favorites were the sour and the matcha drink. The popcorn snack was addicting. I think this establishment definitely adds something new to the market and a great space to meet with friends, dates, family. read more

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Such a cute, new place! The concept behind it is awesome and it's definitely just a cool place to lounge and hangout, sober or not!! The booths, tables, bar, and overall ambiance is so cozy! And staff is so friendly and welcoming :) I was particularly interested in the matcha mocktail! It didn't quite taste like matcha, but it was still good! I love that there's some food items as well. We tried the Mediterranean board which was good, just wish the portion size was bigger! read more

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I am glad there is a dry bar in Raleigh, and the Umbrella has a very creative selection of tasty drinks. The decor and vibe needs work. It's not really a comfortable environment with its sterile booths and tables, but this is a new place and I suspect they have some plans in mind. It seems like they need comfortable sofas and chairs, furniture like a living room would have, and a warm cozy environment to serve these great drinks. read more

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Great place with amazing drinks. I love their matcha drink. The atmosphere is really elevated and elegant..would go again

We are visiting Raleigh for the week and decided to stop into this unique bar. We were greeted by a very friendly host. Very cozy, cute vibe in the bar. Our server Kendall quickly took our order. We would have loved to get an overview of the types of drinks. We were also greeted by another server who took the time to explain and make suggestions about drinks. Kendall was kind enough to provide me with a wonderful sparkling beverage (was not told the name of it) while I waited for my cocktail and also gave us free shots as a gift before we left. Overall, it was a great experience with excellent service. read more

Let me first just say that my experience at that Umbrella Dry Bar was life changing! I have been experimenting with creating nonalcoholic drinks for a few months now at home trying to cut back on my alcohol consumption to achieve a more balanced healthy lifestyle. I left feeling even more motivated to continue on this path. From the moment I entered the bar the atmosphere was vibrant yet cozy! I sat down and was greeted by friendly staff that were enthusiastic about the offerings for their customers. I started with a glass of elevate, beauty water. It was served in a champagne flute and was nice and refreshing. We ordered a vegan Charcuterie and it had the best vegan cheese I've ever had and the apple compote/chutney was amazing! We also nibbled on a seasoned popcorn that or waitress brought to our table. My second drink was Kirby's Dreamland. The taste was smooth and the flavors of bittersweet orange and rosemary reminded me of fall. I finished my evening with Buzzkill, Sauvignon Blanc. It was smooth with soft notes of citrus that I sipped and savored until the last drop. Thank you Umbrella for this amazing experience from the ambiance, the carefully crafted drinks in beautiful glassware, yummy bites, and friendly staff. I will definitely make your bar a healthy new ritual! read more

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I had a wonderful time here trying out the elevated mocktails. I like that they had a seasonal drinks menu. Send Spicy Pics (not pictured) was my favorite on the seasonal menu. I really enjoyed the Leo Sour. It's so nice to have a bar where you don't have a bunch of drunks coming up to you and acting a fool. I will come back here, frequently. read more

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Came here tonight with some friends and we loved it! Britney gave us some excellent suggestions and was super helpful answering all our questions. Loved the vibe, the drinks, the food and the service. Will definitely be back again! One thing though is that the music next door is really loud. If you don't want to hear loud bass notes, I would suggest not sitting at the tables against the wall. read more

With the Sauvignon Blanc only thing missing was the alcohol. Had a nice grassy aroma with hints of citrus and green apple. Crisp and refreshing with a nice dry finish. Gruvi Bubbly Rose had a nose full of red fruits light on palate with a nice sparkling finish. Two of the best non alcoholic wines I've tried. My fiancé had the Leo Sour and Matcha-Do About Nothing had a great mouth feel with a hint of sweetness and zesty lime on the palate. Definitely can tell the bar tenders have experience with regular cocktails. The Umbrella bar is a nice intimate lounge great for a date night or a night out with friends. read more

If a non alcoholic bar is your thing, totally go. If it's not your thing no, pass. I like alcohol but I'm also happy we tried. I wish tho place the best of luck! read more