Whether you’re recuperating from the holiday season, are trying to set a new (non-alcoholic) precedent for the New Year, OR are simply harbouring a general curiosity for all things local F&B-related, the upcoming ‘Free Spirit’ event has got your back.

New for 2025, this one-of-a-kind tasting event encompasses all manner of ‘non-alc’, ‘zero-proof’ and ‘alcohol-free’ beverages – from wine and beer, to spirits and packaged cocktails. And it’s happening for one-evening-only on Thursday, January 16th from 7-9pm, inside the Ellis Building (1024 Main Street) – perfect timing to help those with wavering resolutions and/or waning inspirations over the mid-month hump! The line-up of participants includes local importers of the “good stuff” being produced internationally alongside BC-based producers including Strange Fellows Brewing (the popular Strathcona brewery’s ‘Nevertheless’ 0% IPA ranks alongside their “real” beer), Nonny Beer, Edna’s Non-Alcoholic Cocktails, and Ones from the Okanagan (aka the country’s singular non-alc winery). Check out the full roster below:

Benjamin Bridge
Bibi
Brochet
Caleño
Cognato
Colibri
Domaines Des Grottes/L’antidote
Dry Goods
Edenvale
Edna’s Cocktails
Free Spirits
Ghia
Glimmer
La Colombette
Lautus
Leitz
Luminara
Maison Chavin
Noa
Non
Nonny
Noughty
Oddbird
Ones+
Phony Negroni
Strange Fellows
Undone
Wilfred’s

Free Spirit is brought to us by Kurtis Kolt, co-founder of the perennially popular Top Drop wine festival – so we’re hedging our bets that it will be both delicious and draw quite a crowd of cool Vancouver folks… Read: it will probably sell out quickly! Tickets are $48 each (plus tax and fees). Scoop up yours here. Also of note: Select beverages served at the tasting event will also be available to purchase from the Drive Canteen crew’s on-site pop-up bottle shop, making it all the easier to stay on the non-alc track after the evening has ended and into the remaining weeks of ‘Dry January’ (and beyond) – or at least to incorporate more zero-proof options into your regular at-home drinking situation this season.

The Ellis Building

1024 Main St, Vancouver, BC V6A 2W1