Rosette: A New Bar in Rainier Beach Focused on Zero- and Low-Proof Cocktails

In recent years, more and more adults of drinking age are hosting dinner parties, going out to bars, and having picnics without alcohol. This new "sober curious" demographic is more interested in socializing sans substances, opting instead for nonalcoholic (NA) options that replace traditional cocktails — companies like Ghia and Athletic Brewing Company produce NA versions of aperitifs and beer respectively. And the demand for zero-alcohol drinking experiences is only growing.

Now, worker-owned Rainier Beach bar and restaurant Jude's Old Town is entering the fray with their plans to open a sister location — also worker-owned — called Rosette. The new spot will expand on Jude's already healthy offering of NA drinks, primarily serving zero- and low-proof cocktails, natural and biodynamic wines, and small plates that all emphasize flavors and textures from the Pacific Northwest. It will be a space that recognizes a community of people who enjoy social settings like bars or taverns but don't necessarily want to nurse a Shirley Temple all night.

"We know that our industry has largely ignored people who don't drink," said Mark Paschal of Jude's who is spearheading the opening of Rosette. "Even when [places] do have NA cocktails on the menu, it still can feel like you're being ignored if you don't drink. So we wanted to front and center the idea that there can still be sociality in bars and scenes like that where the social lubricant is other people and not alcohol."

Located on the same block as Jude's, Rosette is petite — the rectangular space is approximately just under 11 feet wide. The cocktail menu will consist of 16 drinks — eight zero-proof cocktails and eight low-proof cocktails. Within that, half will be riffs on classic cocktails with the other half being Rosette bartenders' own creations and experiments. Because NA spirits don't have the same flavor profiles as alcohols like gin, mezcal, or whiskey, there's a lot more room to showcase different aspects of cocktails and offer alternative drinking experiences.

"So much of drink is a celebration of California's or Florida's year-round harvest," said Paschal. "What does it look like to be in the Pacific Northwest and have our very seasonal bounty put front and center in a nonalcoholic space?"

For their wine program, Rosette is intent on offering natural biodynamic wines from sustainable producers and farmers. Specifically, Paschal says Rosette intends to showcase wines made from non-European grapes or smaller grapes to "show the wide breadth of wine flavors you get beyond the main grapes that have colonized the world."

As for food, Rosette will focus on highlighting the diverse foods and tastes of the Pacific Northwest with five or six small plates for people to snack on while they sip their libations. Paschal says Rosette isn't here to capitalize on a trend, but rather, make room for socializing that isn't focused on alcohol.

"We want to be a space for people to come and meet their neighbors," he reflected. "And you don't have to be drinking alcohol in order to do that."

Rosette hasn’t announced an opening date yet, but you can follow its Instagram for updates.