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It takes time to reach the point of addiction, even longer to admit it and take steps to get sober. And in that time, you built a life around it. 

Addiction recovery requires so much change in order to rebuild. You pick the proverbial weeds (of which there may be many) and keep the flowers. Because not EVERYTHING associated with your drug of choice was a bad thing—not every drinking friend, not every traditional bar activity. . .not even drinks with creative combos of herbs, sodas, and juices.

And that’s where the sober bar comes in.

Recognizing the need for social opportunities that aren’t meetings, but that are safe spaces for people in recovery, and drinks that are more inventive than a La Croix, but still alcohol-free, some clever and thoughtful entrepreneurs have developed a new kind of watering hole. Make plans to visit one of these locations when you’re ready.

The Sans Bar

One concept, in particular, The Sans Bar, is a pop-up sober bar, founded in Austin, Texas in 2017, and has made stops in Nashville, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Anchorage, and Portland on a national tour, with affiliate pop-ups in three other cities. 

A snapshot:

  • mocktails like the Rosemary & Ginger Mule and Elderberry Presse. 

  • live music and karaoke

  • foosball

The Other Side

Located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, The Other Side is  a project of an addiction recovery center in Crystal Lake. Founder Chris Reed offers soft drinks and energy drinks, hosts support meetings before outside of business hours, and provides entertainment of all kinds, like

  • “Bar” games–think pool tables and ping pong, but there’s more.

  • Comedy

  • Karaoke and open mic night

  • Dancing

A $10/monthly membership model funds addiction education and helps fund The Other Side.

New York Area

Listen Bar

Listen Bar is a monthly pop-up currently crowdfunding for a permanent space, and offers an alcohol-free getaway for people who want to socialize in a place with some atmosphere without feeling the temptation to drink. With it’s “creative type” leanings, Listen Bar houses

  • An all-musician staff who curate the playlist

  • Speed-dating (sometimes)

  • Alcohol free cocktails, crafted with the help of a mixologist, nutritionist, an herbalist and dedicated to a “muse”—someone in American culture that is living booze-free.

  • Astrology readings

  • Tattoo artists

  • Try: Actual Sunshine or She’s So Pretty

The Getaway Bar

You can belly up to this Brooklyn sober bar with no fear. Designed as a cozy nightlife space, The Getaway is 

  • open till 11 during the week, midnight on the weekends, and 

  • offers N/A beverages with inventive flavors, hot teas and coffee drinks

    • Try: Light and Stormy, made with Three Spirit Social Elixir, spicy ginger syrup, lemon, black bitters; Dona Juniper Lime soda; the Matcha Latte

  • small plates for munching

During your recovery journey, you’ll learn about yourself, about what will and won’t work for your sobriety. If any of these places feel a little TOO familiar, listen to that and steer clear; but if what you crave is the contact, the atmosphere, and just somewhere that still feels grown-up and fun, but without the drawbacks of alcohol, they may be perfect stops on your next adventure.

Tag All Posts, Sobriety, Relapse Prevention