NZ’s first permanent alcohol-free bottle shop opens

Alcohol-free drinks brand AF is opening a permanent non-alcoholic bottle store in Ponsonby following the success of its pop-up venture earlier this year.

The Curious AF Bottle Shop will stock the full AF range of pre-mixed cocktails as well as leading alcohol-free offerings from around the world.

It will be the only bricks and mortar retail space in New Zealand dedicated solely to selling alcohol-free drinks when it opens on Friday 18 November at 5 Crummer Road.

AF Founder, Lisa King, says the success of the pop-up shop in July showed the strong consumer demand for non-alcholic options.

“Across just a few short weeks, some 2000 people walked through our beautiful art gallery-inspired installation to discover what the Curious AF movement had to offer. In the first few weeks, we sold out of many product lines and received an overwhelming number of requests to make the pop-up permanent. Four months later, here we are.”

Popular global brands in the store include Vandestreek beers, Kin Europhics, (a brand co-founded by model Bella Hadid) and Ghia, an alcohol-free aperitif from the US that has featured in Vogue and Forbes and is new to the New Zealand market.

The retail space has been designed by Wonder Group and King says they will offer tastings and unique AF events. “We are exploring ideas like AF garnishing masterclasses, fun food matching nights and beverage-themed sessions like margarita fiestas and aperitivo evenings.”