MANCHESTER, NH – An unlikely yet welcome addition to the downtown nightlife landscape is coming to the corner of Hanover and Elm Street this summer – the city’s first and only fully non-alcoholic cocktail bar, Without at 889 Elm Street.
During a recent Pop-Up held May 4, fans and friends popped in to sample some of the future featured drinks – made without alcohol (hence the name of the soon to open mocktail bar).
Local entrepreneurs and new age community builders Dan Haggerty and Nick Carnes have connected to create yet another delightfully individual local haunt after the success of their collaboration alongside Angelica Castro Andrade in Hanover Street’s new and improved cafe, The Moka Pot. The rolodex of accomplishments tucked under the pair’s wings have proven them mighty innovators and keen outside-the-box thinkers willing to get the job done, known well for their colorful identities and even more colorful food and drink offerings.
The new concept continues to push the boundaries the pair is known for carving out with dynamic offerings, including a shareable menu pulling heavy focus on native Hawaiian and South Pacific flavor and ingredients.
Non-alcoholic beverages, often referred to as ‘mocktails’ are on rise in recent years, mirroring a downward trend for alcohol as a market, which has seen nearly $3 billion dollars in market loss per year since 2017. Bottled, zero-proof spirits and canned cocktails are on the rise nearly everywhere, from the supermarket to bars and chain restaurants, as the global intrigue and client market expands for tasteful, crafty drinks without the implications and effects of alcohol. Haggerty has been itching to hatch the concept for several years now, fleshing out a business plan and looking at a variety of locations between his two current establishments – Stashbox and Industry East – before finding the perfect tandem combination stepping into partnership on the Moka Pot and Without.
“Watching the mocktail sales go up, more people asking for them [consistently]… it’s clearly becoming a popular thing. Maybe not around here [yet], there seem to be a lot of naysayers, but look at the global markets. It’s insane.” Haggerty says.
Without’s presence in the nightlife spectrum as a trendy, hip, and upscale night out provides a refreshing atmosphere to the Elm Street array of storefronts, a great many of which are local drinking hotspots that, while fun to some, might not be everyone’s speed. Zero-proof environments provide an elevated experience to people who might feel left out by the cocktail scene – including folks in recovery, expectant mothers, and even those who just want to enjoy a good time out without the burdensome weight of a hangover the next day.
“If there’s one city in New England that could use it, I would say it would be Manchester,” Haggerty says, observing the heavy concentration of alcohol-centric options for nighttime fun in the downtown.
“We are just a restaurant/cocktail bar that doesn’t serve alcohol. It’s not kava, it’s not an alternative. It’s just drinks without alcohol. Hence, Without. It’s the best way to describe it.”
The pair have recently held a series of pop-up experiences after hours in the Moka Pot’s space, with both establishments operating from a shared kitchen space while being open opposing hours of the day.
“They’re connected, but not. They’re two separate entities, and share a kitchen – but they are separate businesses. Moka Pot is open 7 to 4, Without will open at 5; and when we have events [such as the Moka Pot’s incredibly zealous foray into the local music scene with their Live from the Countertop Series], you’ll be able to get the food from over there.”
Unique pop-up style events like this make for a unique night out for locals looking to enjoy a special, limited time delight and serve as great word of mouth for the business – while also allowing the Without team a chance to workshop their creations, finetune menus and experiment with plating and presentation.
Drinkist extraordinaire Angelica Belo and culinary purveyor Joshua Heu, who is a native Hawaiian bringing authentic dishes, are the brains and brawn behind the menu, which explores bright and bold flavors with unexpected ingredients seldom seen within the local dining and drinking landscape, including bites like crispy fried kalo and a refreshing pandan and thai basil beverage.
“Other than one or two of the zero-proof spirits, we handmake everything. We want things to pair with the [food] menus, and these are things you won’t find anywhere else. People don’t even know what kalo is!” Haggerty says with a laugh.
Without’s debut menu embraces bold, bright, and refreshing flavors perfect for its expected early summer opening (currently slated for the beginning of June) with the majority of the bar’s flavorings, shrubs and infusions created in house or paired with a selection of fine non-alcoholic spirits. Planned offerings explore a large range of flavor profiles, with juicy, fruit forward drinks like the Star Gazer and standing alongside unique twists on classic offerings, like an espresso martini featuring oolong tea. Snackable, sharable dishes encourage a spread of snacks for the table, with highlights like the perfectly dressed veg served alongside the Crispy Pork Belly Poke, fun Scallion Pancake Tacos with a dumpling filling and the jaw-droppingly delicious Sliders featuring a mixed berry jam and arugula.
Photo/Amara Phelps
Carnes and Haggerty have paid forth the blood and sweat equity necessary for the operation as owner-operators in the truest sense; not only slinging drinks and running plates, but spending long hours hunched over hardware, installing a 70-foot patio space overnight on Hanover Street and executing a bulk of the complete visual overhaul of the Without space in tasteful greens and bronze patina tones. “To be able to come up with your own ideas, and see them through to fruition, is, most of the time, worth it.” says Haggerty, standing up from the table to cash out another party and run a plate of food in that very breath. “Come in with no expectations. We are just putting it out there – it will be better than they think.”
Stay in the loop on their magnificent menu sneak peeks and future pop-up announcements via their instagram account @without_nh
