On the Menu: Monday Morning Bottle Shop offers spirits, without the alcohol, in Pacific Beach

by Regina Elling

When Zane Curtis made the decision to stop drinking alcohol in June 2023, he didn’t realize it would lead him to open one of the most unique bars in Pacific Beach.

Curtis is the founder and owner of Monday Morning Bottle Shop, a totally non-alcoholic bar and beverage shop, which opened on Nov. 23, 2024.

“For years I questioned my relationship with alcohol,” Curtis said. “Without it bringing any negatives to my life, I just always thought I was drinking too much.”

Zane Curtis, owner and founder of Monday Morning Bottle Shop in Pacific Beach. (Eli Page)

After conversations with his wife, Curtis said he woke up on a Monday morning and decided he wanted to give their family a better life, which meant no more alcohol.

But learning to live a life without alcohol isn’t necessarily easy, Curtis said.

Some people still crave the connection that comes over sharing spirits, as well as the flavors, but without all the added alcohol and sugar.

Others still want to feel something that relaxes them, but is better than an alcoholic-based drink, he said.

As a self-appointed guide to alcohol-free drinking, Curtis said, “I wanted to make it easier for people not just to stay sober, but (have a) whole different drinking experience.”

He said one of the major setbacks to quitting is a lack of non-alcoholic options.

From the beginning, Curtis said he wanted his shop to be the opposite of most beverage stores and bars. So he spent more than a year and “my own small fortune” curating more than 500 options of non-alcoholic beverages, adaptations and non-tropics from around the world.

Since he “fell in love with PB” and lives there, his 1,900-square-foot shop has a “beach boho” mental vibe, with a bright, vibrant interior.

An alcohol free, mushroom infused drink, Ceybon AF Bright, offered by the Monday Morning Bottle Shop. (Eli Page)

“I want anyone who walks in to feel free and open and accepted,” he said, noting there are no dark, crowded aisles or boxes stacked on the floor.

About 1,000 feet of the building is devoted to products.

One wall, known as the fun or functioning side, the “California sober lane” features mixers, syrups, kava drinks, adaptogens and natural mushrooms such as lion’s mane.

“No one is getting a head trip from these mushrooms” Curtis said.

The opposite wall is known as the “wannabe” wall, and contains all non-alcoholic versions of vodkas, gins, rums, whiskeys and more.

The back wall features 120 non-alcoholic beers from around the world, as well as non-alcoholic wines, champagnes, mocktails and more. The individual cans or bottles are ready to drink.

He said three of the most popular beverages include a wine, a kava drink and a beer.

Bolle, a Blanc de Blancs from the United Kingdom, is a patent-pending, twice fermented sparkling rosé or white wine.

Tasting notes describe Bolle as “an expressive bouquet of crisp apple, juicy pear and zesty citrus.”

“Restaurants love it,” Curtis said. “It’s dry, bright and full flavored.”

The kava infused Kava Haven is designed to provide an alternative to traditional spirits.

“It has a lemon, ginger and lime flavor, and works well mixed with soda water or in a margarita. It’s a fan favorite that’s quickly becoming a staple,” he said. The drink is said to lower stress and anxiety, replaced by a “nice, calm feeling,” he added.

Ohana, made by Below Brew Company from the U.K., is a non-alcoholic IPA with orange, grapefruit, mango and pineapple notes.

“The company has many different products, ranging from IPAs to pale ales, sours and more. Because the cans are 16 ounces instead of the more typical 12 ounces, he said it’s a favorite with restaurants.

“It’s one of the best non-alcoholic beers I’ve ever had and a must try for anybody,” Curtis said.

Trying out the numerous beverage offerings is easy, thanks to the 900-square-foot lounge taking up the remainder of the building. The lounge is suitable for everything from meeting with friends for a drink, relaxing after work or tasting events.

The lounge area at Monday Morning Bottle Shop is bright and airy, as opposed to many dark and crowded bars. (Bronwyn Mefford)

“It’s designed so that you can buy anything here and drink it. It’s great for choosing and sharing a bottle of wine with friends,” Curtis said, adding that customers can purchase food from surrounding restaurants and enjoy it in the lounge.

“We curate the best of the best,” Curtis said. “We try everything ourselves so we know what we are offering. We then educate our customers by being able to describe the choices and letting them taste the drinks before they buy them.”

Monday Morning has a staff of four. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays a bartender makes different drinks every week and teaches customers how to make them at home.

Current tasting events take place on “industry nights,” in which a major brand spends an evening offering tastings of its products.

Free tastings are offered prior to purchase at Monday Morning Bottle Shop. (Eli Page)

Curtis said he plans to offer flight tastings in the future, featuring, for example, a 3 ounce pour of five different beers.

Nearly 20 restaurants and bars now offer many of Monday Morning’s options.

“We’re redesigning non-alcoholic menus throughout San Diego,” Curtis said. “Some of the businesses have reported a 118% increase in sales of non-alcoholic drinks in just their first month of offering them.”

Curtis is working towards having his offerings in even more restaurants for the future. He is also exploring a second location for his bar and business, and has aspirations to be in Petco Park in the future.

“It’s an experience here — you really have to come check it out in person,” Curtis said. “We’ve got things you’ve never seen. There’s nothing like this in all of PB.”

See below for the recipe to make non-alcoholic Kava Mango Cocktail.