Good News Bar Opening Brick-and-Mortar in Hillcrest

Good News Bar , an alcohol-free bar serving handcrafted non-alcoholic cocktails, is preparing to open its first brick-and-mortar in Hillcrest at 3821 Park Blvd .

The company, owned and operated by co-founders Kaylee and Crystal Clark , recently announced it will be opening its first storefront in a vacant building next to XOXO by Breakfast & Bubbles. The owners tell What Now San Diego that they expect to open the new location in the Fall or Winter of 2024 . When it opens, customers can expect a welcoming community space with plenty of mocktails and activities, such as live music, trivia nights, and more. The concept is considered San Diego’s first alcohol-free bar.

“In 2021, we realized that our lives couldn’t continue on the same destructive path that bartending normalized, and we confronted the reality of our drug and alcohol use,” according to the company’s website. “During our early days of recovery, we noticed the lack of third places that don’t center around substances. Our mission is to create an inclusive environment for all without judgment. Whether you consume alcohol or not, we simply exist to provide an alternative option for socializing and enjoying a night out. While our narrative centers around recovery, we acknowledge that not everyone who is sober (or steers clear from alcohol) faces alcohol use disorder, and not everyone who comes to Good News will identify as sober. Everyone is on their own journey in this life, and we appreciate individual experiences. We look forward to meeting you and hearing your stories.”

While many other restaurants in the area already offer a handful of mocktails, Good News Bar hopes to become more than just another bar in San Diego with non-alcoholic options. The owners hope to create a welcoming space where people aren’t judged if they don’t want to drink. In other words, Good News Bar is for people who want to experience the thrill of going out in San Diego without the pressures of ordering alcoholic drinks. With the announcement, the owners have reflected on their journey, which has got them to this point.

“The universe works in mysterious ways,” according to the company’s Facebook announcement . “As locking down our brick-and-mortar aligns with our 3-year milestone of sobriety, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on the journey we’ve had over the past few years. Addiction had a powerful grip on us for far too long, but we stand here today knowing that the strength of our recovery is even greater. The road to sobriety is challenging, and our path as entrepreneurs has also had its share of obstacles. We’re well aware that we still have a long way to go with uncertainties ahead, but we wouldn’t be where we are today without the love and support of our community. Thank you for seeing our vision and the heart behind why spaces like this need to exist.”

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