3 min readWE COULD START, we guess, with the pandemic. Gen-Zers who, pre-COVID, had classified themselves as heavy drinkers cut back substantially during the pandemic, according to a 2024 study from Carnegie Mellon.
Young adults of this generation, some of whom came of age in those lockdown years, are drinking 20 percent less than millennials did at the same age. And millennials were already drinking less than the generation before them.
This is all good news for our physical health, especially as research now shows that even drinking in moderation is linked to an increased risk of all-cause mortality, including cancer. The even better news is that finding fun stuff to do when you’re sober, and with other cool sober people, has never been easier. The post-pandemic world boasts a new landscape for sober socializing. Gyms, raves, dating apps—being sober and being social isn’t just the new normal. It’s an awesome way to live.
Here are 15 examples of sober at its most fun or fun at its most sober.
What You’re Drinking
SOBER CHEF GABRIEL Rucker of Le Pigeon in Portland, Oregon, shares his top picks.
Tastes Like: “Light hoppiness with some sun-baked honey notes.”
Tastes Like: “Nice, simple, basic beer.”
Tastes Like: “It’s carbonated, which makes it all the more refreshing.”
Tastes Like: “It’s got body and sugar content.”
Tastes Like: “Wonderfully bitter.”
Go For The Easy Mocktail
In a glass, add ½ can La Croix Passionfruit, ½ can Mela Watermelon Water + Passionfruit, and a squeeze of lime.“It’s super refreshing,” says Rucker. “Not too sweet.”
Try a “Stiff” N/A Drink
Sober couple Tawny Lara and Nick Mechak created (parentheses), a duo of intense N/A spirits. The aperitif (Before) leans bitter, whilethe digestif (After) tastes smokier.
Where You'll Find It
The “Liquor” Store
To buy the best N/A drinks online, go to Boisson.co, ProofNoMore.com or TheZeroProof.com. Our favorite IRL N/A liquor stores are: Marigold in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Sipple in Houston, and the New Bar in Los Angeles.
The Bar
Visit Sans Bar in Austin, Texas, or Hekate Café & Elixir Lounge in New York City for innovative N/A drinks and great vibes. You can find an N/A bar near you (or when you’re traveling) at soberbarsnearme.com.
Or Many Bars
Hopping from bar to bar, trying new drinks, and remembering the night? That’s the magic of a mocktail trail, clusters of bars now found across the U.S., including Chicago and Healdsburg in Sonoma County, California.
Where You’re Partying
AT RAVES! (REALLY!) Event companies like Daybreaker and Superbloom Collective throw epic alcohol- and substance-free dance parties nationally, and even some worldwide.
Where You’re Headed
Explore Paradise
Tour operators such as Hooked and We Love Lucid curate booze-free adventures, from tapas school and paddleboarding in Spain to luxury sober cruises in the Caribbean.
Recharge Your Mind
At N/A wellness resorts like Fivelements Retreat in Bali and the Art of Living Retreat Center in North Carolina, do yoga and meditation sessions in inspiring natural environments.
Where You’re Working Out
AFTER WORKING OUT helped Scott Strode deal with alcohol dependence, he founded the Phoenix, a fitness-based organization dedicated to supporting sobriety, in 2006. That has blossomed into a nationwide network of more than half a million sober people who ride, hike, climb, lift, and take pop-up workout classes. In 2017, the Phoenix opened its flagship gym in Boston. The cost of participation: 48 hours of sobriety. There are other sober gyms across the country, too: Temperance Training in Boca Raton, Florida; Lift Sober in Portland, Oregon; and Twin Cities Wellness Center in Minneapolis.
How You’re Meeting People
DATING IS WAY easier than you think. Thanks to apps.
Loosid
More than a date finder, this app also features daily tips, talks with recovery experts, and a buzzing social network.
Club Pillar
It’s a members-only subscription platform with a strict vetting process, which ensures connections with real people.
Hinge
While not exclusively for sober people, Hinge lets you filter potential matches based on their drinking, smoking, and drug habits. And its massive user base makes the search a little easier.
What “Sober” Even Means Now
WELL, THAT ALL kind of depends on how sober you want to be—and from what.
Damp Lifestyle
Not quite sober, but definitely drinking less.
Intermittent Sobriety
Taking planned breaks from alcohol.
Sober Curious
Dipping your toes into the sober pool without diving into complete abstinence.
California Sober
Swapping booze for weed (and maybe psychedelics).
Straight Edge
Complete abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
Ian Lecklitner is a writer located in Palm Springs, California who mainly covers food and drugs.
