When Richardson residents Reid and Julie Robinson opened Beyond the Bar in downtown Richardson in 2023, they did so with decades of bar ownership experience. Although this business model is also drink-centric, there is a significant difference—the cocktails are non-alcoholic and zero-proof.

“I stopped drinking in 2021 for health reasons, I went cold turkey and went through a program,” Reid said. “We still owned a bar and started experimenting with mocktails.”

Looking for a libation?

Julie, the mixologist, has created a variety of zero-proof and non-alcoholic cocktails, and mocktails, which are served at Beyond the Bar both inhouse and at popup events.

“A lot of people use the blanket term ‘mocktails’. But mocktails typically are very high in sugar, and a lot of people that come to us are looking to lead a healthier lifestyle,” Julie said. “I make a really good mocktail, but my mocktails are not super sugary. We're making non-alcoholic and zero-proof cocktails, which are layered drinks.”


Julie said non-alcoholic drink ingredients had alcohol at one time but the alcohol was filtered out and a touch of alcohol, about 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), remains.

“That's the same amount you get in a kombucha or a glass of orange juice. So I equate it to decaf coffee, because decaf coffee has just a touch of caffeine in it.”

Zero-proof products never had any alcohol in it to begin with, but the flavors are layered together to create a flavor profile.

“Sometimes it'll imitate the spirit, like tequila, so it'll be kind of like the spirit of the spirit,” Julie said.


What else?

In addition to customers coming in for a drink, they also walk through the doors of the 1958 Brise Soleil breeze block building for the monthly soberoke nights, mixology classes, cooking classes, craft events and more.

Beyond the Bar also sells a variety of pre-packaged non-alcoholic and zero-proof items including gin, bourbon, whiskey, wine, beers, canned cocktails and more.

“Everything here is curated—we have tried every single thing we have here,” Julie said. “We have everything you need to stock your dry bar.”


Meet the bartender

Ralphie Lopez is a bartender, creative consultant and mixology class instructor at Beyond the Bar. He said he is four years sober and before meeting the Robinsons, he didn’t know cocktails could be alcohol-free. He has found the drinks they serve offer more than just a way to quench thirst.

“It's the person making the drink and the story of the person receiving the drink too,” Lopez said. “It goes way past just a different way to drink, it's a whole new way to live, and it's incredible to be a part of.”