Dirty soda has spilled out of TikTok feeds and Utah drive-thrus and onto real bar menus—and Nashville's most game-forward hangout is betting it's here to stay.
Just off downtown's Broadway, Play Playground Nashville—a social game experience and bar packed with more than 20 larger-than-life games—launched a new dirty soda menu on Friday, July 31. Crucially, it's a permanent addition, not a limited-time gimmick. That signals real conviction in a trend that's reshaping how operators think about the non-alcoholic side of the beverage program.
What's on the Dirty Soda Menu
For the uninitiated, "dirty soda" takes a familiar fountain soda and layers in cream, fruit purées, syrups and other specialty ingredients—turning a basic pour into a customizable, Instagram-ready build. Play Playground's signature lineup starts at $10 each and includes three creations:
- Star Player — Sprite, orange juice, pineapple, mango, strawberry
- Cherry on Top — Dr. Pepper, grenadine, half and half
- Rough and Tumble — Coca-Cola, lime, coconut, coconut milk
Beyond the three signatures, guests can build their own dirty soda or add alcohol for an additional charge to create a spirited version of the trending drink. That flexibility is the smart part—one menu concept serves the sober-curious teen, the designated driver, the family table and the late-night crowd looking for a boozy twist.
Built for an All-Ages, All-Night Room
The move fits the venue's dual-audience model. Play Playground Nashville is open to guests 13+ until 7 p.m. (last entry at 6 p.m.) and shifts to 21+ with valid I.D. after 7 p.m. A high-margin, alcohol-optional beverage plays perfectly across that daypart split—family fun by afternoon, adult social scene after dark.
The venue's hours run Monday and Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to midnight, and Sunday from noon to 11 p.m. Play Playground operates locations in both Las Vegas and Nashville, blending nostalgic physical games with a food and beverage program designed to keep guests lingering.
Why It Matters
The non-alcoholic category is one of the clearest growth stories in the beverage industry right now, and dirty soda sits squarely in its sweet spot: low cost of goods, high perceived value, endless customization, and built-in social-media appeal. For operators, this launch is a template worth studying.
- Margin without a liquor license risk. A $10 fountain-based build with fruit and cream carries attractive food cost—and captures spend from guests who aren't drinking alcohol at all.
- One concept, every table. Making it customizable (and boozy on request) lets a single menu item serve minors, DDs, sober-curious adults and cocktail drinkers—maximizing check average across dayparts.
- Free marketing baked in. Colorful, layered builds are made for TikTok and Instagram, exactly where the trend was born. That's earned reach most drink specials never get.
For restaurant owners, foodservice executives and hospitality managers evaluating their non-alcoholic lineup, the takeaway is simple: the demand for elevated zero-proof options is real, and the entry cost here is low. Dirty soda, mocktails, and functional beverages are increasingly must-haves rather than nice-to-haves.
The Bigger Trend
Play Playground's bet reflects a wider pivot across the food and beverage industry toward rewarding and serving non-drinkers—from designated-driver programs to full zero-proof menus. Pair that with the experiential-dining boom, where play and hospitality increasingly blur together, and you get a clear signal: guests want reasons to stay, share and come back—alcohol optional.
Is dirty soda on your menu yet—or on your radar? Explore more beverage industry trends and F&B news on Food & Beverage Magazine, and drop a comment: would you put a customizable dirty soda program in your venue?
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
