Brehs who don't drink, NYC now has alcohol free bars!

[Canada Goose]

Sober October has passed. Dry January awaits. But for a growing cohort of young New Yorkers, cutting back on alcohol has become an all-year affair.

While in the past staying sober on a night out meant ordering something like a seltzer and cranberry juice, New Yorkers trying to drink less booze are now being met with a growing menu of options.

Gothamist explored the city’s alcohol-free nightlife offerings, where event planners, business owners and patrons are envisioning a more lucid nightlife experience


On a recent Saturday night, a dimly lit, crowded spot on 13th Street and Ninth Avenue served up spicy margaritas and espresso martinis to well dressed 20- and 30-somethings.

They looked and tasted just like typical spicy margaritas would — a little sweet, a little sour and fairly spicy from the fresh jalapeño. But the drinks came with an added perk: no hangover the next day because they were alcohol-free.


“If you didn't tell me there wasn't alcohol in it, I would probably think there was,” attendee Caitlyn Calcagno said. “It’s good. It’s really good.”

The margarita was one of several cocktails on the menu at Absence of Proof, a sober pop-up bar that sets out to give people an option for a boozeless night out. Other offerings included nonalcoholic beers and canned cocktails with “functional ingredients” advertised to be health-promoting instead of hindering.

For “Sober October,” Absence of Proof held a weekly event series at the coffee shop Kobrick Coffee in the Meatpacking District. November's iteration was “Friendsgiving.” The events had all the makings of typical nights out in the city: curated playlists, elaborate drinks and the chatter of young people.

The concept was born when 24-year-old founder Elizabeth Gascoigne quit drinking earlier this year. She said she quickly realized her options for nightlife alcohol-free socializing were slim to nonexistent.


“I stopped drinking in January and I was definitely all in with the New York party scene before January,” she told Gothamist. “I felt like I wanted to still experience New York nightlife, but without alcohol, and there was no place that I could do that. So I was like, well, if you can see it in your mind, you can feel it in your hand — so let me just create it. And here we are.”


Absence of Proof is tapping into a growing movement of young people who are drinking less, but still want to partake in New York City’s iconic nightlife. In the last few years the “sober curious” movement, which invites people to re-evaluate their consumption of and relationship with alcohol, has become more visible throughout the city.

Link to the rest of the article: How NYC nightlife is getting in the sober spirit with alcohol-free bars - Gothamist

 

[CW_1991]

In for potential plat

 

[Canada Goose]

Boubt to be up in there with the straight edge PAWGS

 

[mbewane]

Interesting concept, though I would expect "regular" quality bars would have good alcohol-free options, including alcohol-free cocktails.

 

[Dafunkdoc_Unlimited]

It really isn't that hard to just order a soda or water instead of alcohol at a bar. Cats ain't special because we don't drink. We don't need a 'spotlight'.​

 

[Ciggavelli]

As a sober person, I want to see this in more places. I've struggled trying to have fun sober like I did when I drank. This could be a potential solution

 

[Hugs]

we need weed lounges

 

[Malcolmxxx_23]

Probably just be dudes in there lol
Women love drinking

 

[Hawaiian Punch]

I feel sorry for people that don't drink, because when they wake up in the morning, that is the best they are going to feel all day-

-Frank Sinatra

 

[BobbyWojak]

A lounge?

 

[CouldntBeMeTho]

It really isn't that hard to just order a soda or water instead of alcohol at a bar. Cats ain't special because we don't drink. We don't need a 'spotlight'.​

Come on man, you know damn well the trouble alcohol brings. If you're sober why would you want to b around a bunch of loud, obnoxious, violent drunks

 

[Mike809]

im waiting on the first weed-only bar.

 

[Dafunkdoc_Unlimited]

Come on man, you know damn well the trouble alcohol brings. If you're sober why would you want to b around a bunch of loud, obnoxious, violent drunks

I go with friends and make sure my people get home safe.​

 

[Ciggavelli]

Come on man, you know damn well the trouble alcohol brings. If you're sober why would you want to b around a bunch of loud, obnoxious, violent drunks

100% facts. Plus the temptation of having alcohol all around you is problematic

 

[Umoja]

It really isn't that hard to just order a soda or water instead of alcohol at a bar. Cats ain't special because we don't drink. We don't need a 'spotlight'.​

For recovering alcoholics, it is. For people who are not alcoholics, it is. There are numerous jokes around "Just went out for a couple" for a reason.

The other element is not wanting to be around other drunk people.

All that said, the concept isn't new unless Middle Eastern juice bars aren't a thing in NYC?