Cupcakes and mocktails, anyone? A non-alcoholic dessert bar is coming to the Charlotte area

Heidi Finley
·2 min read

A non-alcoholic dessert bar — The Roaring Social — is on its way to finding a permanent home in the Charlotte/Lake Norman area, bringing along a goal to promote sober nightlife, health and wellness.

When the business now operating as a popup at yoga classes, book exchanges and other lifestyle events goes brick-and-mortar, it plans to remain an all non-alcoholic bar to remove the pressure of social drinking, along with any hangovers and guilty feelings that may come along the next day.

“I’m trying to completely remove that option and offer an environment where people can stop feeling pressured into that,” owner Casey Dolan told CharlotteFive. “Alcohol is such an ingrained part of our society — I’m trying to change that without being preachy … and change the narrative.”

Where will The Roaring Social be located? Dolan is still on a hunt for a location, but she’s targeting the Huntersville area of Lake Norman and uptown Charlotte areas.

Hours: The dessert bar will be open from late morning into the night, with a “Get me going and chill me out,” kind of atmosphere she said.

What’s on the menu? In the mornings, The Roaring Social will offer coffee and banana breads, along with a line of Apothekary blends such as Blue Me Away, an herbal supplement with blue matcha, ginseng and coconut cream powder that you can put in your coffee.

Later in the day, Dolan’s experience with her Lake Norman bakery, Casey’s Homemade Goods, will further come into play. To start, you’ll find cakes, cupcakes and items such as Dolan’s best-selling stuffed chocolate chip cookies — plus gluten-free options — along with charcuterie boards.

“We’ll change and adapt as we grow, and as our business opens, we’ll listen to our customers,” Dolan said.

Mocktail staples: The Roaring Social’s lineup of n/a drinks now includes:

  • Evelyn — named after Dolan’s daughter and made with Ritual Gin Alternative Zero Proof

  • Mango margarita — made with an elixir from Three Spirits that contains caffeine (“So that is definitely a booster,” Dolan said.)

  • Blackberry bourbon smash — made with non-alcoholic bourbon

  • French 75 — made with nonalcoholic gin, as well as a champagne-like drink

Dolan said she’s spent a good bit of time “trying products, filtering through what’s good and what’s not good,” as well as exploring adaptogens, which are plant-based substances that can promote well being.

Some the Roaring Social’s drinks contain adaptagins, which are plant-based mood boosters, along with Delta 8 THC.
Some the Roaring Social’s drinks contain adaptagins, which are plant-based mood boosters, along with Delta 8 THC.

The vibe: As the name would indicate, you’ll find nod to the 1920s with classic black, white and gold decor — and maybe a picture of the queen, “Because why not?” No smoking will be allowed.

Will the pop-ups continue? Yes! A mobile bar for weddings is in the works, as well

The Roaring Social

Instagram: @theroaringsocial