A sober-curious movement is growing in Chicago and its backers believe that New Year’s Eve, St. Patrick’s Day, and even the Superbowl don’t need to center alcohol. The restaurants, groups, and social societies that are pushing for this cultural change are making headway and have lots of advice for those who want to avoid liquor as a holiday guest or support sobriety as an event host.
Being intentional with your RSVP is the first step.
“If you’re struggling thinking about going to an event [which centers alcohol,] then don’t go,” suggests PJ Lewis, a director with Chicago Alcoholics Anonymous. “Work on whatever it is you need to do so that you can go anywhere [at a later date, without the struggle.]”
Lewis’ point of view paints a stark truth about the see-saw impact of parties and drinks and the need for a broader view of how to mindfully support group fun minus the alcohol. In a culture where social events and holiday celebrations often center drinking, the question is crucial: How can sober individuals maintain sobriety and still experience the joy of any big event?
The cultural shift is difficult but it’s already started. Many Chicago restaurants have embraced sober fun with zero-proof mocktail menus. AA offers tips for folks looking to enjoy their holidays without the liquor.
Dry January has long been an event. That’s because the statistics are harrowing. Some 28.9 million Americans suffered from alcohol use disorder in 2023, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Alcohol-related deaths have risen by 29 percent over the last decade. Nationally, an average of 178,000 people have died each year from excessive drinking, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That’s why some restaurants and caterers swiftly hopped on the mocktail train, offering a full menu of zero-proof drinks for people who want to sit and sip minus the buzz. WTTW’s popular “Check, Please!” highlighted some mocktail drinks and mixologists who craft fine drinks minus the liquor. The organization NAPS, which stands for Non-Alcoholic Party Scene, hosts events that center on connection, not imbibing.
These are all strategies that even people who entertain at home can borrow, but if folks want to make a stop at a restaurant, it’s easy enough to find one with mocktails. Bronzeville Winery is one.
“At Bronzeville Winery, the holiday season is about connection, reflection, and joy—not solely indulgence,” said Cecilia Cuff, the winery’s co-owner. “Our space is intentionally designed to be a sanctuary where everyone, regardless of their relationship with alcohol, can feel seen and celebrated.”
Cuff explains that the restaurant, which is also a community gathering space, offers a diverse selection of non-alcoholic options—like the Appolonia, a zero-proof cocktail, and the Watermelon Nojito, an alcohol-free twist on a mojito—alongside traditional wine offerings, ensuring that everyone feels included.
Another issue to address, Lewis adds, is the mythology created by advertisers who have sold the idea that holidays are synonymous with drinking. For instance, you may have seen Kahlúa’s 2024 ad featuring actress Salma Hayek promoting coffee liqueur, or Baileys’ 2013 “Christmas Nutcracker” commercial, both of which reinforce this association. According to a survey by Caron Treatment Centers, 16% of adults admit to drinking more alcohol during the holidays than they typically do.
Regardless, deemphasizing any perceived difficulties in saying no is a good place to start.
“People try to make sobriety around the holiday a lot tougher than it really is,” says Lewis, who emphasizes the importance of service, preparation, mindfulness, and connecting during the holidays. “If you have a good program to begin with, it should just be like any other day.” This perspective aligns with broader approaches to sobriety that go beyond AA, stressing the critical need to address root causes of substance use, such as mental health challenges.
“Drug use is a symptom of an underlying issue that isn’t being addressed, and usually it’s mental health,” said Ijeoma Opara, PhD, director of the Substances and Sexual Health Lab (SASH) at the Yale School of Public Health. “It’s usually an easy fix to lessen the effects of anxiety and depression, but it’s not an accurate fix. When you start to use drugs and start to depend on it, you become addicted to it, and it ends up doing more harm than good.”
Opara’s research has found that for Black people, environmental factors such as discrimination, lack of safety, mental health issues, and even past stay-at-home-order measures are major contributors to substance use, which often serves as a coping mechanism. Since 2021, her work at SASH has focused on developing community-based interventions and programs that build ethnic pride while providing social support and alternative coping strategies to help prevent drug and alcohol misuse.
Opara encourages people to be vocal about their need for non-alcoholic alternatives at social events, as this can create more inclusive environments. Like Lewis, she believes that those who practice sobriety can inspire others by openly sharing their choice and showing that you can still participate in social gatherings without consuming alcohol.
She also sees the growing industry of non-alcoholic and mocktail options as a positive development that supports individuals in recovery or choosing sobriety.
“I think people, human beings, naturally want to feel [included],” says Opara. “I think it’s a good thing for us to tap into it.”
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