Sydney to get first alcohol-free bar

As Sydney continues its crackdown on excessive alcohol consumption, the city is set to receive its first booze-free mocktail bar.

Jeebak Bajcharya is helping Sydney vegan restaurant Lentil as Anything open the city’s first alcohol-free bar 

Lentil on the Rocks is set to open in the upstairs rooms of not-for-profit vegan restaurant Lentil as Anything, which operates a “pay what you think it’s worth policy”.

“The whole concept behind the mocktail bar is to create that ambience where non-alcohol drinkers, especially teenagers, want to enjoy that sort of environment as much as a normal alcohol drinkers do,” said restaurant manager Jeebak Bajcharya.

The news of the bar opening comes as New South Wales lawmakers embark on a crackdown on excessive drinkingthroughout the city this year.

In a bid to curtail violent behaviour, bars in central Sydney have been banned from serving shots, doubles and pre-mixed drinks after midnight while liquor stores have been ordered to close at 10pm.

The measure comes after numerous reports of alcohol-induced violent behaviour in Sydney, particularly “coward punches” which have dominated local headlines in recent months.

Lentil on the Rocks will be headed by Lentil As Anything team member and mixologist Daniel Hollen.

In September this year, a “raw food specialist” opened up Europe’s first superfood cocktail bar, where alcohol is mixed with an array of organic juices and raw ingredients.

Source: The Spirits Business - 5th November 2014