The Sober/Curious movement?

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Why do they need “special” bars to not drink? Any bar or restaurant can serve non-alcoholic drinks.

And honestly it does sound like a millennial thing. Us baby boomers know how to go to a party, bar, whatever and not drink without a whole movement or special place to do it.

It's not a need. Again the sober bars it's because they don't want the presence of alcohol.

To me there's different components of said movement:

1) Places to be socially without alcohol at all. Not just that you're not drinking but that there's no alcohol period and everyone is completely sober

2) Abstaining from alcohol after a period of drinking more heavily or taking a break from drinking a lot. This may include just not going out period or if you have a place near you attending a sober only event

3) Going out to places but saying no to drinking alcohol when you would have said yes before.

4) etc.

And it's not an US vs THEM mentality. If you want to put it that way US Millennials know how to party, go to a bar, whatever not drink without a whole movement or special place to do it. Clearly in my area it's not only those perceived to be Millennials who are going to these sober bars. There's an inherent problem with labeling things generational.

FWIW I know far more people aged 50+ who can't seem to go to a bar without drinking and drinking to excess, or to the professional sporting event, or to the company's holiday party, etc etc. I know many more late 20s-30s who aren't interested in drinking or at least to excess or have to by virtue of the environment. But to me that's not a generational thing nor would I make it out to be.

 

[Searc]

I don't think that's really the goal for anyone attending these events. I don't think people are looking to save money but rather be in the company of those without the presence of alcohol.

Literally the article states: "So he created Sans Bar (which is from the video I posted just in my area), a sober bar in Austin. It's open on Friday nights and some Saturdays — a comfortable place where people can talk, make sober friends, listen to music and, of course, drink some good nonalcoholic drinks.

Generally speaking people understand mocktails aren't about saving you money period but then again neither is drinking period out and about. I can get a 6-pack of beer for sometimes what a bar charges. I get it I understand it.

Uh, I hate to point out the obvious, but you can do all those very same things at a bar that serves alcohol, too. Just don't drink. But then they wouldn't be able to feel sooper speshul by doing that.

 

[Hikergirl]

The article mentioned ginger beer. I was in a store, similar to Whole Foods, several months ago, and they were doing a sampling of organic, hand-crafted, non- alcoholic ginger beer & birch beer, (a fancy root beer.) Although, yes, they did taste better. The ginger beer was very gingery. They were much more money for basically high-end sodas.

I didn't read what they were using it for, but I find ginger beer makes a great mixer.
I admit that I don't really drink mocktails as I have no problem drinking in social situations or even at home, but I just can't picture a good dark and stormy without that rum.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

But there are people, at least here in this thread, that do not go out and buy drinks because of the cost.
One can assume that people won't be so quick to go out and spend $12 on some juice and a fancy garnish either.
Personally I think it's a failing business model, at some point those 30 somethings will be 40 something and realize that they can "just say no" and still socialize even if alcohol is present.

You said you were looking at the NYE video I was speaking about that I thought you were too rather than just generally

If you don't buy drinks because of the cost I think it stands to reason you would at least be less likely to attend events where there's more mocktails which are also up in cost and like another person who mentioned that even pop was over $5.00 plus tip. That said you could of course go to one of these pop up sober bars and just not have any drinks but socialize with people who will be sober there so you could still get the social aspect but my guess is you'd be less likely to do so.

I don't disagree with your comment that you can socialize without alcohol; I do it all the time. I think again the point with the pop up bars is that alcohol isn't there at all. Truly I've met people (and seen it on the Boards especially with the Disneyland crowd) that to some it's not enough to be able to say no; they don't want to be around it at all for a variety of reasons.

 

[Eeyore daily]

My BF is a recovering alcoholic so something like a sober bar in our area would be amazing! Not drinking out of respect for him has shown me how dependent our culture has become with alcohol being present at everything. Just this past holiday he was pressured to drink by my baby boomer of a father because that's the socially acceptable thing to do. It's nice to be in an environment where not drinking alcohol doesn't deem you as "weird".

He's also over 30 but would never identify as a millennial. My baby boomer parents however can't even go to the beach unless there is a bar within walking distance.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Uh, I hate to point out the obvious, but you can do all those very same things at a bar that serves alcohol, too. Just don't drink. But then they wouldn't be able to feel sooper speshul by doing that.

Oh I know

But see my other comments. I really think for some it's about alcohol being there at all and while I'm not really all about calling it some big movement I'm not going to say that I don't think for some it's a welcome thing to go to a place like that.

 

[tylerandalexsmom]

Then there's where I live - in a dry county (surrounded by many dry counties!). Slowly they have started being voted damp, and now finally wet in the most recent years, but for the most part, there still aren't many places available with alcohol- I have to drive and hour - hour and a half to get to a bar! (Or even a drink with dinner!)

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

They dont look like boomers!!!

That's right. I totally agree. It's obvious they're not boomers because there is nobody dressed in tie die and bell bottoms laying down on the couch saying groovy man while strung out on Hallucinogens

 

[Hikergirl]

Then there's where I live - in a dry county (surrounded by many dry counties!). Slowly they have started being voted damp, and now finally wet in the most recent years, but for the most part, there still aren't many places available with alcohol- I have to drive and hour - hour and a half to get to a bar! (Or even a drink with dinner!)

I'm not really familiar with dry areas. The closest I have been is at the Jersey shore where they didn't serve alcohol but you could bring in your own. Is that what you mean by damp?

 

[luvsJack]

It's not a need. Again the sober bars it's because they don't want the presence of alcohol.

To me there's different components of said movement:

1) Places to be socially without alcohol at all. Not just that you're not drinking but that there's no alcohol period and everyone is completely sober

2) Abstaining from alcohol after a period of drinking more heavily or taking a break from drinking a lot. This may include just not going out period or if you have a place near you attending a sober only event

3) Going out to places but saying no to drinking alcohol when you would have said yes before.

4) etc.

And it's not an US vs THEM mentality. If you want to put it that way US Millennials know how to party, go to a bar, whatever not drink without a whole movement or special place to do it. Clearly in my area it's not only those perceived to be Millennials who are going to these sober bars. There's an inherent problem with labeling things generational.

FWIW I know far more people aged 50+ who can't seem to go to a bar without drinking and drinking to excess, or to the professional sporting event, or to the company's holiday party, etc etc. I know many more late 20s-30s who aren't interested in drinking or at least to excess or have to by virtue of the environment. But to me that's not a generational thing nor would I make it out to be.

Oh heavens, lighten up. I was joking.

 

[Brett Wyman]

That's right. It's obvious they're not boomers because they're not dressed in Tie die and bell bottoms laying down on the couch saying groovy man while strung out on Hallucinogens

Well more because they look late 20s early 30-ish.

 

[luvsJack]

My BF is a recovering alcoholic so something like a sober bar in our area would be amazing! Not drinking out of respect for him has shown me how dependent our culture has become with alcohol being present at everything. Just this past holiday he was pressured to drink by my baby boomer of a father because that's the socially acceptable thing to do. It's nice to be in an environment where not drinking alcohol doesn't deem you as "weird".

He's also over 30 but would never identify as a millennial. My baby boomer parents however can't even go to the beach unless there is a bar within walking distance.

Do they know he is a recovering alcoholic? If your father does know and still pressured him, that is just awful! And it has nothing to do with age or generation, it’s lack of consideration.

But be careful about this kind of place for him. For some (and this may not be your bf at all) the bar like environment can be a trigger. That’s why they are encouraged to change so much about their lives.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Oh heavens, lighten up. I was joking.

No need to lighten up but thanks!

 

[tylerandalexsmom]

I'm not really familiar with dry areas. The closest I have been is at the Jersey shore where they didn't serve alcohol but you could bring in your own. Is that what you mean by damp?

No, at least around here "damp" meant that restaurants with high enough sales could get a liquor license and sell drinks with their food, but their total alcohol sales had a limit based on a percentage of their food sales. None of the local places could do it, and it's not a big enough area to attract large chain restaurants (other than fast food). So the upshot is that "damp" didn't really make a difference. For here, dry is no package sales, no restaurants, and cannot have it in public places. So there's no place anywhere close to purchase alcohol (except bootleggers ), and you cant have (consume) it anywhere other than in your own home. Now that things are starting to loosen up, I'm hoping we at least start to get better restaurants! (Even the local religiously affiliated college changed their stance, and privately encouraged faculty and staffto vote wet for the economic considerations)

 

[soccerdad72]

A place that doesn't serve food and only non-alcoholic drinks? I thought they called that a coffee shop?

 

[tylerandalexsmom]

Was that question of for me?

 

[soccerdad72]

Was that question of for me?

Are you asking me? No, my comment was unrelated to any of the ongoing conversations going on right now.

 

[BrianL]

Uh, I hate to point out the obvious, but you can do all those very same things at a bar that serves alcohol, too. Just don't drink. But then they wouldn't be able to feel sooper speshul by doing that.

Yeah, but going to a bar where most others are drinking and you are not is about the most boring thing on the planet. Your mileage may vary, but I'd rather just stay home than do that.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

A place that doesn't serve food and only non-alcoholic drinks? I thought they called that a coffee shop?

A coffee shop is where you go to get greasy food and a 50 cent cup of joe.
What you're thinking of is Starbucks, where you go to get non alcoholic drinks with something resembling coffee in them amongst all the chocolate and foamed cream, and pay $5 for it.

 

[Hikergirl]

Yeah, but going to a bar where most others are drinking and you are not is about the most boring thing on the planet. Your mileage may vary, but I'd rather just stay home than do that.

But if the goal is to not drink and be with others not drinking then you wouldn't be the only one in there.
Not all bars are filled with rowdy barely 21 year olds. The last bar I went to had maybe 5 people under 30, and they were at a table eating.