OTwo Co-Editor Orla Mahon explores the climate around social nightlife, detailing the pressures and options that are available for those who want to enjoy a pint-free night.
I'm noticing more and more within my friend group that "grabbing a pint" isn't really as appealing as it used to be (...are we getting old?), but it's frankly just the easiest option - requiring little research or effort, casual yet gets us out of the house, and we know there'll always be somewhere open. That being said, what options are available if you want to go out at night, but don't really want to end up in a bar surrounded by drunk people?
According to DrinkAware, around 63% of Irish adults wish to drink less to improve their physical health, and 32% would like to cut back to improve their mental health.
According to recent figures from the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland, alcohol consumption in Ireland is at its lowest level since 1987. This statistic doesn’t necessarily imply that this is a choice; the sharp increase in the price of alcohol over the years is having an impact. However, I do believe that some level of the decline is motivated by an increased emphasis on wellness culture within our society. According to DrinkAware, around 63% of Irish adults wish to drink less to improve their physical health, and 32% would like to cut back to improve their mental health. This doesn't necessarily entail anything drastic - sometimes it's just nice to not feel groggy and out of sorts the morning after a night of drinking.
It can be daunting to feel like you're the only sober person in the room. While almost every bar caters to those who choose not to drink, with options such as non-alcoholic beers, stouts, cocktails and minerals, the environment itself can prove to be a struggle to navigate sober. People may ask intrusive questions about why you're choosing not to drink, or pressure you to drink with them - these actions may be well intentioned, but it can be upsetting and frustrating to be confronted with such behavior when you are not drinking. However, there are options to consider outside of the pub when planning a night out. Spaces that do not centralize alcohol consumption that may be more accessible to sober people. This does not necessarily mean that alcohol is not served on the premises in any regards, but rather that it is not the focal point of the venue.
While there's nothing inherently wrong with enjoying a pint or two, there are other options to consider.
One option is selecting a venue that focuses on working together as a group, or has a central activity to work towards. For example, options such as escape rooms, board games and table quizzes can provide you with so much entertainment that Board and Brewed in Dun Laoghaire markets itself as a "board game cafe". During the week, it generally stays open until 10pm; on Fridays and Saturdays this is extended until 11pm, cementing its slot in the Nightlife Sector, whilst also placing its focus on board games and socialising, rather than on drinking. Another option to consider is an entirely alcohol-free bar. While sharing an incredibly similar name to the previous suggestion, Board in Dublin 8 is unique in that it offers a space with over 200 board games and zero alcohol on the premises.
Starting college, you might begin to feel some level of implicit (perhaps even sometimes explicit) pressure to drink. While there's nothing inherently wrong with enjoying a pint or two, there are other options to consider. Nights out that aren't purely focused on drinking can broaden your range of experiences and allow you to see new sides of your friends.