Dine and Discover Queens: Cullie Poseria, Founder and Owner of Bar Nun Life

It’s “Dine and Discover Queens” time! “Dine and Discover Queens” is a monthly spotlight on some of the best food and drink options from around the borough! This month, we are featuring Cullie Poseria, Founder and Owner of Bar Nun Life, a business bringing people together through alcohol-free dining and events focused on wellness, art, and technology. To learn more, go to https://barnun.life/.

What inspired the creation of your restaurant?

My friends and I love nightlife, so I was compelled to create a fun, innovative, and alcohol-free community.

While in the Hot Bread Kitchen Seed program and networking at entrepreneur and industry events, I built an initial business plan. I was inspired and motivated when I pitched those in my target demographic and got continuous positive feedback and stories of those that stopped drinking or had a partner, etc. that had. In one year, we reached nearly 500 people through pop-up events, proving demand for what we’re creating and that our group doesn't need alcohol to have a great time. That's when I knew Bar Nun provides an approach to preventative healthcare that combats loneliness with real-life experiences inspired by wellness, arts, and technology.

What makes your business unique?

I think my drinks provide a more elevated and diverse selection than I have seen in most establishments, especially in my locale. I see my outsider perspective and curiosity as a plus, as I'm not focused on how to make my drinks or food taste better as much as I'm focused on figuring out what experiences bring people together and wanting to come back.

Are there dishes or drinks that have become beloved by the Queens community?

My drinks vary by event and I have gotten a lot of positive feedback on my drinks, but I don't want to highlight one specific product or drink as that may be partial to a brand. Our goal is to find the best options for our audience. To do that, I have tried more than 300 products and visited multiple non-alcoholic shops and bars around the country. I have also worked with various mixologists and bartenders to help with my starter cocktail menu which includes drinks that replicate alcoholic taste using analog spirits, food-based mixed drinks, and beverages that are completely unique in taste and/or function.