Low-alcohol pub pop-up to open in London

Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s plans to open the UK’s ‘first no- and low- alcohol pub’ in London later this month.

Sainsbury’s will open its low- and no-alcohol pub The Clean Vic in London

The Clean Vic pub will open its doors on New Oxford Street on 24 and 25 July, serving a range of beers, wines and cocktails – all with an abv of 0.5% or less.

Guests at the London pub will be able to sample alcohol-free ‘spirits’ such as Seedlip, Cedar’s and Everleaf, as well as non-alcoholic beers from brands including Erdinger and Peroni, and Sainsbury’s low-abv wine range.

Anne Cooper, buyer at Sainsbury’s, said: “We’re seeing a really exciting spike in the no- and low-alcohol category at Sainsbury’s, which has been growing since 2001.

“With an increasing number of products now available, those who want to hold off on alcoholic beverages don’t need to miss out on the experience of enjoying a beer with friends or even a mocktail made with a delicious non-alcoholic distillate.”

Entry to The Clean Vic will cost £5 (US$6), which entitles attendees to two drinks. While visiting the bar, imbibers will also be able to take part in low-abv cocktail masterclasses hosted by Millie Gooch, founder of alcohol-free blog Sober Girl Society.

Cooper added: “From speaking to customers, we know there is still some uncertainty about what these no- and low-alcohol products taste like and how they are made. So, our specially curated workshops in the Clean Vic will help customers learn more about these drinks, providing key tasting notes given by the experts.”

Sainsbury’s has seen a 31.8% increase in sales of no- and low- alcoholic products in the last 12 weeks and a 33% increase in customers searching for non-alcoholic products online.