In a world where social gatherings often revolve around alcohol, it can be challenging to find alternative activities that bring joy, relaxation, and a sense of fulfilment without the need for alcoholic beverages. Whether you're seeking healthier lifestyle choices, temporary abstinence, or simply looking for diverse ways to spend your leisure time, there are countless alternatives to drinking that can enrich your life.
At Wise Bartender, we’re passionate about bringing people together in ways that absolve the need to consume alcohol, and promote a more inclusive life for those who choose to stay sober. So we’ve come up with just a few ways that you can soak up the barmy weather without the impending hangover.
1. Find a physical hobby
There are many ways that you can engage in exercise with your friends, and although it might feel otherwise, it doesn’t have to feel like a chore. You could, for example, spend your time going for runs, building up athletic ability or spend some time at the gym as is usually recommended. But this isn’t for everyone.
Which is why we recommend the following:
Speak with your friends about activities you’ve wanted to take up and ask whether they’d like to join you to see if it’s something you could enjoy together. You could attend a taster session to figure out whether it’s actually for you. If not, find something else.
Consider an activity that feels more like an exciting hobby. For example, you might find your fun in:
- Fencing
- Rock climbing
- Dancing
- Archery
- Yoga/Pilates
- Rowing/Kayaking
- Hiking
- Paintball
- Obstacle courses for charity
- Martial arts
- Go karting
- Starting your own sports team
These activities not only act as an exciting, entertaining alternative to socialising with a few drinks, they also contribute to your physical, mental and emotional health.
2. Host a home dinner party
Hosting a booze-less dinner party is a great way to take on a new activity. You could even try channelling your inner reality TV star and challenge yourself to create the best pub meal from home. Each Saturday, a different person can host the night and at the end, give a score out of 10 and allocate a prize to whoever scores the highest.
This could even open up an opportunity to order in some alcohol-free wine or non-alcoholic beers to recreate the pub meal feeling.
3. Have a games night
As Brits, we are famed for our love of a good board game. Whether you bring a deck of cards, an old family favourite like Monopoly, Scrabble or Twister, or liven things up with an expertly crafted strategy game, hosting a games night is always going to be a crowd pleaser.
And, it’s so easy to have fun and laugh until you weep without the need for alcoholic drinks.
You could try spicing up your games nights by suggesting the following themes:
- Everybody brings their own board game
- Everybody brings a platter of food in a designated colour
- Have a ‘make the best mocktails’ hour
- Classic games console night
- The Phone Penalty: Whoever looks at their phone first has to pay for dinner
4. Book a spa day
A great alcohol-free date night or night out with your friends, going for a spa day can be an excellent way to not only enjoy yourself without alcohol, but to detox as well. Spas have a myriad of options available to cleanse your body and leave you feeling relaxed and can act as a bonding activity.
You could go for a couple’s massage, spend time enjoying the crisp swimming pool water with your buddies or invest in group meditation. Whatever floats your boat.
5. Eat at a new restaurant
Whether it’s a brunch date, meeting your family for lunch or having dinner out with your friends, trying a new restaurant gets you out and about without the need for drinking. The possibilities are endless when it comes to discovering new places to eat. You could sample the new bistro down the road, try out a chain cafe or even simply go on a mystery munch quest.
Take yourself out into the big city, peruse the little snickets and retro roads that you only wonder down when you’ve walked past on your work commute but not yet had the time to explore and see what you fancy.
Maybe there’s a new cuisine you’re dying to try or you fancy dipping your toe into the world of vegan delicacies. It’s all possible with a tall glass of soft drink, or even pre-drinks that consist of the best alcohol-free brands around.
Luckily, Wise Bartender stocks a wide selection of alcohol-free drinks that can accompany you as you embark on your mission to relax with the special people in your life. Simply grab a glass and enjoy.
If you’re having trouble reducing your alcohol consumption, check out our 10 top tips to help you drink less .
