Society has apparently gone through a shift. Many are ditching alcohol to pursue sobriety. Or so that’s the story I’ve seen on many lifestyle focused newspaper articles and podcasts. 

Alcohol Change UK, for example, states that 1 in 5 adults in the UK (20%) report not to drink alcohol. The trend of being ‘sober curious’ has increased over time, particularly amongst GenZ who are seen to be more health conscious than previous generations.

And to some extent, talking to people I know about why they stopped or reduced their alcohol consumption does validate these claims. However, one thing I’m noticing is that many of the restaurants and bars are not in on this shift. It’s an interesting mismatch since businesses are usually on the forefront of adapting their offering to cater to trends. I mean, it’s not necessarily an expectation but is typically what makes business sense.

I myself am not a big drinker, it doesn’t mean I’m teetotal. However, I find myself to not be a massive fan of the taste of most types of alcohol. That compared with the fact mocktails and soft drinks are always cheaper means drinking alcohol will never be my default preference – even in pub or bar. When I do drink it will indeed be socially and usually, whether I like to admit it or not, due to some underlying social pressure. You deciding not to drink often becomes the topic of conversation, people often acting as if they’ve just discovered you’re joining a nunnery. It’s quite tiring at times. All a girl wants is to drink her lemonade in peace, but no can do. 😅

Despite 20% of the UK not drinking, you’ll be surprised that I still go to places, request mocktails at their bar and get blank stares from the bartender. Typically, I’ll see them struggle to answer, or get a blunt no and have to succumb to a soft drink or tap water. This has happened more often than expected. Something I’ve also noticed is that a lot of offers for food involve an alcohol and tend to not have a non-alcoholic alternative. I remember going to a spa many years ago with a friend and being greeted on arrival with prosecco. It was a lovely visit but when asking if they had any drink alternatives they just answered ‘no’. This indicates to me they’ve never even considered the fact guests booking the voucher may not drink. How bizarre and how frustrating.

Some bars and restaurants are doing a great job though, embracing a full range of mocktails on their menu and non-alcoholic beers and gins. What I appreciate the most is creativity, having a tailored menu in this area shows you really value all customers and put thought into everything you offer – not just the alcoholic choices because they’re more popular.

Overall I would say yes, The Alcohol Change UK stats show that non-drinkers are indeed a national minority still. However, catering to just the majority does not mean you’re catering to the whole, and to be fully inclusive – that’s important. Yes, it can be costly to implement but it’s always a worthwhile investment.

___________

Photo by Andra C Taylor Jr on Unsplash