Nonalcoholic bar in Mount Vernon aims to be 'third place' for those who don't drink alcohol

MOUNT VERNON - While most bars revolve around intoxicating beverages, downtown Mount Vernon's newest bar, Dry Inside, does not.

With a motto of "Not a moment wasted," Dry Inside is a nonalcoholic bar, bottle shop and community mercantile that local cabinetmaker Darin Blanchard opened in January.

Because it serves no alcohol, the space is open to those of all ages.

VIDEO: Non-alcoholic bar opens in Mount Vernon

Darin Blanchard, owner of the non-alocholic bar Dry Inside, speaks about his business.

"It's just nice to hear people come in and say things like, ‘I didn't know we had this in Mount Vernon,' or ‘I've been looking for this,'" Blanchard said. "People didn't even know that they wanted this, and here we are."

Blanchard said the business brings together his interest in woodworking and cabinetry, his sobriety and his goal of creating a "third place" for people who do not drink alcohol but still want the social experience of a bar.

According to an August 2025 Gallup poll, 46% of U.S. adults do not drink alcohol.

Blanchard said he is catering to that group by serving sodas and tea alongside a variety of nonalcoholic handcrafted cocktails and spirits, wines and beers.

He said the most popular cocktails are:

* Lavender French 76 - nonalcoholic gin, lemon lavender shrub, elderflower syrup and Lyre's Classico bubbly

* The Cabinetmaker - Ritual rum, Lyre's coffee liqueur, demerara, bitters and grenadine

* Espresso Martini Marrone - Lyre's coffee liqueur, Monday whiskey, espresso and cream

* Black Manhattan - Dr. Zero Zero AmarNo, Monday whiskey and bitters

* Tulip Sour - Ritual whiskey, lemon juice, demerara syrup and orange bitters

Before opening Dry Inside, Blanchard ran a homemade furniture and home decor business called Small Spaces. He used some of the furniture pieces he created for Small Spaces to furnish Dry Inside.

"People were interested in the product; they were interested in the entire vibe of the store," Blanchard said. "Once we added in the aspect of the bar and bottle shop, it just enhanced things even further by giving people an experience as well as being able to sit in a nice loungy space."

Blanchard said the space is well-suited for events.

Dry Inside offers wine Wednesdays and tasting Saturdays, and collaborates on events with other businesses, such as Arrows Aim Greenhouse & Supply Co.

Blanchard said he is also open to private events at Dry Inside.

"I just really love how friendly everyone is here, how good the community is, and I wanted to be a part of that by creating a space that was welcoming to people, where they feel comfortable," Blanchard said.

While customers have enjoyed Dry Inside, Blanchard said it is a struggle for him and other downtown businesses to get people to come downtown.

"There's a lot of new businesses down here that are really cool, unique, fun, and you're helping out your local community by putting your money where it counts," Blanchard said about downtown Mount Vernon. "Every dollar spent here in taxes goes directly into making our city better."

More information about Dry Inside is available at dryinsidemv.com.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.