BY AARDE WRITES for WEEKLY VOLCANO 12/12/25 |
Hey Aarde,
I feel like, since COVID, intentional sobriety is becoming more and more popular with my age group. Most of my friends and I are sober, not because of drinking issues; we just think alcohol is a poison, and we want to live long, healthy lives. Anyway, it seems like the world is geared toward alcohol, and whenever we go out, we have to share spaces with obnoxious, drunk people. Aren’t there places we can go to still have a night out on the town without having to experience the bar scene? It’s just nice to know you are in a space with sober people, you know?
Signed,
Intentionally Sober
Hey Intentionally Sober,
I have been hearing the term intentional sobriety more and more in recent years, and I am all for it. The idea that you need liquid courage to feel comfortable in your own skin is simply untrue, and yet it has been reinforced for decades through commercials, movies, and magazine ads. It is no surprise that it took a global pandemic shutdown for many people to pause and reconsider their health and longevity. Suddenly, those who rarely had time to think about their bodies and minds had all the time in the world. That giant pause gave us the quiet to hear ourselves calling for change. A Gallup poll shows that only 50 percent of young adults aged 21 to 34 report drinking, compared with 72 percent in the early 2000s, showing a sharp decline.
For readers who are new to this term, it is important to clarify that not all intentionally sober people have drinking problems. Yes, some have chosen to be sober due to addiction and abuse issues, but even more are choosing this as a benchmark for healthy bodies and minds. I suggest watching Andrew Huberman’s YouTube channel, Huberman Lab video titled “What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain, and Health” to gain a fuller understanding of the information fueling this movement.
I agree our social settings are inundated with the consumption of alcohol, and it usually is not as exciting as we hoped for. Loud, rowdy folks yelling and stumbling around is not my personal idea of fun anymore, and waking up groggy and with a considerable dent in the bank account is less than desirable. It is no wonder many of us are looking for ways to navigate these environments differently. One podcast that dives into this struggle is A Sober Girl’s Guide, offering both humor and practical tools for surviving in a world where drinking still seems to rule.
There are some sober-oriented establishments, but unfortunately, they are not always easy to find, and sometimes all you want is an evening out with your friends in a classy place sans alcohol. Google searches can provide a few options, but as we all know, AI often misses the nuances of human situations. When I searched for sober bars, it suggested a full-on dive bar with zero mocktail options beyond what I assume is a stale can of O’Doul’s in a back cooler somewhere, which really missed the mark. But as this trend rises, social options are popping up around town and getting great feedback.
Fortunately, Tacoma offers plenty of places that make staying alcohol-free both easy and enjoyable. Our curated list of bars, breweries, and restaurants serving delightful mocktails or zero-proof beverages lets you stick to your goals while still enjoying a full, vibrant social life. While the following locations offer alcoholic options, they also prioritize sober inclusivity. No one will know which drink is nonalcoholic, as they all look stunningly classy.
Field Bar and Bottle Shop (2614 6th Ave., Tacoma) offers a dining menu focusing on delectable local, seasonal dishes paired with a full menu of classy, no-booze beverages to expand your sans alcohol awareness.
En Rama (1102 A St. in the Historic Post Office building) features exquisite food and creative, tantalizing house-made mocktails.
The Living Taproom (2101 S. C St., Tacoma) is a fun experience with an RFID bracelet that lets you access numerous taps, including CBD, NA beer, craft root beer, and hop water.
Cactus (2506 N. Proctor) offers a heavenly horchata mocktail along with five other well-crafted options to accompany a delicious Southwestern, Mexican, and Spanish menu.
Boom Boom Room (3016 6th Ave., Tacoma) is a chic cocktail spot that offers an entire menu called Part of the Party, with drinks like Gold Rush Hour (NA whiskey, honey, lemon, NA Aperol) to celebrate the cold days of winter.
Sober AF Zero Proof Bottle Shop (5222 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma) is becoming a hip option and stands out from the 12 alcohol-centric bars surrounding it. Its colorful exterior is just a taste of the variety of nonalcoholic options and entertainment it offers its customers.
Sadly, Soulberry (2310 Court A, Tacoma), a beloved cafe and zero-proof bottle shop, is closing its doors mid-December. While it offered an inclusive, unique spot that served the community well, sometimes being a small business owner is just unsustainable. We wish them well in their future endeavors.
For more options or if you are traveling, consider the following resources:
Buzzcutt, which describes itself as redefining social drinking with seamless access to nonalcoholic drink brands, is a user-friendly app that locates sober-friendly environments wherever you are. Also, check out the Portland, Oregon, podcast DryHard, Season 2, Episode 44, to learn more about the app designers and what drove them to create this tool for other nondrinkers.
Soberspace, an app that explores restaurants, bars, and nightlife that have nonalcoholic options that are not soda on the menu. It can help users find activities and events that do not revolve around drinking and save and share spots with friends to plan your next trip or night out.
TrendHunter, whose NA Drink Locator app maps alcohol-free options. With a dynamic map, the app makes it possible to search cities, states, and countries and refine searches by categories to discover enticing new spots, including those that only offer nonalcoholic options.
The sober-curious movement is on the rise, and with more businesses, apps, and events catering to those seeking alcohol-free social experiences, it is easier than ever to participate. Sober pilgrims like you are leading the way, showing that fun does not require alcohol. Whether you are intentionally sober, about to try Dry January, or simply curious, there is a world of creative mocktails, vibrant venues, and inclusive spaces ready to explore. Keep blazing the trail, sharing your experiences, and inspiring others to rethink what it means to socialize and celebrate life on their own terms. Cheers.
Do you have a question for Ask Aarde? Send email to:
jdaarde@gmail.com
