Cuisine Scene: Mocktails
There are few things as pleasant as enjoying a warm summer day in the company of good friends and a cool drink at one of Long Beach’s great bars, lounges or restaurants. Who could ask for anything more? Well, when it comes to alcohol, sometimes less is more. Check out these local spots that feature not only great views and vibes, but seriously good mocktails.
EL BARRIO CANTINA
Known for its modern yet always authentic take on Mexican dishes and tapas, El Barrio Cantina (1731 E. Fourth St.) applies the same creative method of using fresh seasonal ingredients in their cocktail program. That means that their mocktails pop with flavor, whether it’s the pomegranate, ginger and mint of the La Penelope or the cranberry, orange and pineapple in the La Esmeralda. Not surprisingly, the drinks and dishes pair spectacularly well.
AULD DUBLINER
This pub oozes authenticity, from its bangers and mash to the bar, floor and walls that were constructed in Ireland, broken down, shipped and reconstructed across from the Long Beach Convention Center. Perhaps the most authentic thing, of course, is the Guinness Auld Dubliner (71 S. Pine Ave.) serves. Fortunately, you can still experience that bit of authenticity even if you’d like to do it sans alcohol. Auld Dubliner serves Guinness Zero, described as having zero alcohol with all the iconic taste.
BUNGALOW
The newly reimagined Bungalow, located in the 2ND&PCH (6400 E. Pacific Coast Hwy.) retail center, still has a gorgeous view of the Alamitos Bay Marina and now features a delicious menu of bar bites and small plates–street tacos, Neapolitan pizza, wings, etc.. To go along with it is a slew of non-alcoholic mocktails like the Margarita with non-distilled spirit or the Parch with spicy pinarita, agave, pineapple, pear and mole. It also has half-a-dozen non-alcoholic wines from sparkling to Pinot Noir to Sauvignon Blanc.
BAMBOO CLUB
Since many of their drinks are of the tasty, punch variety, tiki bars mix very well with mocktails. Bamboo Club (3522 E Anaheim St.), one of the city’s most popular destinations for good food and good times, offers some of its signature drinks sans alcohol without skimping a bit on the flavor. Get a Virgin Painkiller–a Bamboo favorite–with pineapple, orange and coconut juices, a Virgin Pina Colada–pineapple, coconut and lemon–or a Virgin Lava Flow with pineapple, coconut and lemon with a strawberry float.
WICKED WOLF
This new addition to the Wrigley neighborhood is described by its founders as a “romantic living room in the forest.” Loungey cool mixed with fairy tale charm, The Wicked Wolf (2332 Pacific Ave.) takes mocktails seriously. Its menu is extensive, with many mocktails playing on the fairy tale vibe. The Better To See you has zero proof tequila and fresh basil, The Huntsman zero proof bourbon and prickly pear syrup while The Nightingale starts with zero proof rum and adds coconut and pineapple juices.
