Image via openroadbarpgh Instagram
Dry January may be in the rearview mirror for many, but whether you don’t drink alcohol ever or are just looking to cut back throughout the year while still enjoying a tasty beverage, non-alcoholic and alcohol-free drinks are arguably more popular than ever. You don’t have to make a special trip to find them; many beer distributors, wine and spirits shops and even grocery stores now carry low- and no-ABV options.
However, if you’re looking for one of the widest arrays of non-alcoholic drinks in the city and are willing to make the trip for something truly special, stop by The Open Road.
Founded by Mel Babitz, The Open Road is an online store and bottle shop that carries a wide selection of non-alcoholic and alcohol-free wines, beers, and spirit alternatives. Non-alcoholic (NA) drinks are those that contain less that 0.5% alcohol by volume, which according to The Open Road’s website is about the same alcohol content of a ripe banana. Alcohol-free (AF) drinks have 0.0% alcohol by volume.
Originally launched in January 2020 as a pop-up bar, Babitz has transformed The Open Road into a physical store that offers shipping to 43 states across the U.S., convenient local delivery and even virtual events.
Image via openroadbarpgh Instagram
In addition to the beverages being NA or AF, almost all are also vegan and some are gluten-free or gluten-reduced, which makes The Open Road a wonderful beverage shop for all, regardless of dietary constraints.
These days, some of the biggest brewers and vineyards are producing NA and AF beverages alongside smaller beverage makers that are quickly gaining a cult following. Big names like Heineken are featured on shelves alongside popular craft brewers Two Roots, and whether you’re looking for a ready-to-go drink in a can like The Bitter Housewife’s bitters and soda or want a spirit alternative like Ritual rum to do your own mixology, you’re sure to find something delicious and buzz-free.
Do you need to be completely sober to buy or enjoy non-alcoholic drinks? Definitely not! However, even though The Open Road’s products don’t contain alcohol, you do need to be 21 or older to shop.
The Big News
This week, The Open Road announced that after many successful months as a pop-up shop at its Lawrenceville location above Tonic Coffee, the shop is moving to a new, larger storefront on Warrington Avenue in Allentown. The big move will take place at the end of February with hopes of opening the new shop to the public in mid-March.
Image via openroadbarpgh Instagram
While the site will be closed to new orders during the move, you can visit The Open Road’s website to sign up for their newsletter and be alerted when the new storefront is ready, so you can be among the first to stop by and grab a drink to celebrate and toast to The Open Road’s success!
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.
