With sobriety on the rise, we asked Kingston pubs for their zero-alcohol offerings
Drinkaware’s latest statistics showed that in 2024, there was a one percent increase in non-drinkers, with 15.4% of adults over 16 identifying avoiding alcohol consumption.
This same research found that the top three reasons for alcohol abstinence were intentions to improve health, not liking the physical effects of alcohol on their body, and alcohol not fitting into their lifestyle.
Liam Robinson, manager of The Waggon and Horses in Surbiton, said that non-alcoholic drinks provided a good option for people at the pub with their friends, looking for the “same taste and satisfaction” as alcohol. He added: “They don’t feel left out if they are driving, training or simply just do not drink alcohol.”
Londoners in particular have helped the increase, with a two percent rise in non-drinkers in the capital since 2023.
Leading this sober charge is the 18-34 year old group, with 26% of the demographic never drinking – five percent more than last year.
While younger people make up a bigger proportion of non-drinkers who have never tried alcohol, 55+ year olds make up 65% of the half of UK adults who have reported giving up drinking after having done so earlier in life, according to the Drinkaware survey.
“I think that non-alcoholic drinks are definitely popular, especially with bigger brands like Guinness and Peroni coming out with their own products,” Robinson said. “Non-alcoholic drinks are very popular with customers between the ages of 30 to 60, which I think is a very large age range.”
In the midst of this trend, Kingston-born actor Tom Holland announced the launch of his new non-alcoholic beer company Bero, starting with three premium non-alcoholic beers.
The Spiderman actor, who has been sober for two years, named two of the brews- the Kingston Golden Pils and Edge Hill IPA- after his hometown.
This announcement is not only in line with Holland’s personal sobriety, but also the shifting cultural attitudes around alcohol, particularly amongst young people.
Credit: Photo by Rommel Demano/BFA.com/Shutterstock
Local Irish pub, O’Neill’s on Eden Street, expressed their intention to stock more beverages to appeal to non-drinkers.
“We started stocking them for variety and inclusivity, we didn’t want people to come with their friends and not be able to get a non-alcoholic beverage as well,” said Tyreese Marcano, a bartender at O’Neill’s. He added: “They’re selling quite well, which is also a reason.”
Other pubs in the area have noticed the popularity of non-alcoholic beverages.
“We’re a chain brand so they’re part of our menu specs,” said Jay Farley, a bartender at Cornerstone on Clarence Street, owned by Greene King. He added:
“They are rather popular to be fair. We’re a station site so it’s stop and go. People are here for nightlife, or going to a show, or getting on the train.”
So, how are the changes in attitudes towards drinking and sobriety reflected within Kingston?
The Kingston Courier have compiled a guide to the non-alcoholic options available in five pubs in the area, to show the variety on offer in Kingston.
Spring Grove – Bloomfield Road, KT1 2SF
Guinness 0.0
Peroni 0.0
Lucky Saint Hazy IPA (0.5% ABV)
Corona Cero
Beavertown Lazer Crush IPA (0.5% ABV)
Erdinger Blue
Rekorderlig – Strawberry & Lime
The Waggon And Horses – Surbiton Hill Road, KT6 4TW
Guinness 0.0
Peroni 0.0
Lucky Saint Hazy IPA (0.5% ABV)
Erdinger Blue
Old Mout – Raspberry & Pineapple
Seedlip Spice 94 Gin
Seedlip Garden 108 Gin
The King’s Tun – Clarence Street, KT1 1QT
Guinness 0.0
Heineken 0.0
Brewdog Punk AF
Erdinger Blue
Corona Cero
Stella Artois Alcohol-Free
Adnam’s Ghost Ship Pale Ale (0.5% ABV)
Beck’s Blue
Kopparberg – Strawberry & Lime
O’Neill’s – Eden Street, KT1 1BQ
Guinness 0.0
Peroni 0.0
Heineken 0.0
Brewdog Punk AF
Rekorderlig – Strawberry & Lime
Cornerstone – Clarence Street, KT1 1QJ
Guinness 0.0
Peroni 0.0
Heineken 0.0
Old Speckled Hen Alcohol-Free (0.5% ABV)
Thatcher’s Zero
Kopparberg – Strawberry & Lime
Kopparberg – Mixed Fruit
Warner’s – Pink Berry 0% Gin
