A GUIDE TO A SOBER (BUT STILL VERY FUN) LIFESTYLE IN CHICAGO
IF YOU’RE LOVING HOW YOU FEEL AFTER DOING A DRY JANUARY OR YOU JUST DON’T LIKE TO CONSUME ALCOHOL, LOOK NO FURTHER FOR A LIST OF FUN SPIRIT-FREE ACTIVITIES TO DO IN CHICAGO IN FEBRUARY AND BEYOND!
If you’re on social media, you know that mocktails are having a moment- and we are here for it! There’s nothing better than having a great time with friends and remembering it the next day. No #borg or calling in to work sick needed! We know what you’re thinking.. this is a list of kid friendly activities you already know about. Nope! We’ve put together this list with the young adult in mind, and if you have made it this far, you might as well see the list. Scroll on, Sober-Curious party people!
Visit a dry bar
With the rise in popularity of NA options, bars and restaurants in Chicago and all major cities are seeing a shift to offering growing mocktail choices. A few of our favorite bars in Chicago that have great mocktail selection are Roanoke, Summer House, and The Moonlighter. But If you enjoy the bar scene and the community that comes with it but you don’t want to be tempted or be around others that are drinking, consider an alcohol-free bar to achieve the same vibe.
Bendición Bottle shop
About Bendición Bottle shop:
Bendición Bottle Shop is proudly one of the first intentional Sober Social Community Spaces in Chicago. Their goal is to create a safe, fun environment where people can gather for date nights, community classes, recovery meetings, or just a night out and create those deeper connections with others- without the expectation or societal pressure to include alcohol. The shop has a large selection of NA beers wine and spirits, canned mocktails, Seltzers Kombucha and Tea, CBD drinks, and even specialized syrups, bitters, shrubs. All the brands they carry can be found here.Why you’ll Love Bendición Bottle shop:
The products in the bottle shop are very intentionally selected. The owner strives to find brands and flavors that might otherwise not be as easy for people to get on their own or that they might not have even heard of. The brands they carry are a majority women, marginalized community, and/or family owned.Bendición Bottle Shop has a growing list of community events so you can have a reason to check out their shop and make new friends who are on the sober journey as well. The next event is an (adult) valentines making workshop! There’s just a few tickets left so find details and buy your ticket here.
Eli Tea
About Eli Tea:
Eli Tea, which started in Michigan, brews hundreds of loose leaf teas daily. They source their high quality teas from around the world and carry a large selection of tea that tea aficionados and tea newcomers alike can appreciate. The tea you experience at Eli Tea will send your senses on a journey outside of Chicago- to taste flavors from the Himalayas, Hawaiian islands, or Africa to name a few.
Why you’ll Love Eli Tea:
Eli Tea takes pride in ethically sourcing their product from organic family farms and prioritize tea garden workers welfare and working conditions. They take careful consideration when packing and storing their product to ensure quality, safety, and sustainability.
Eli Tea has a a verity to of community workshops- from writers workshops, art nights, and open mics! Stop in with a group or make a new friend.
2048<.5 non-Alc Wine shop
About 2048:
2048 adds a sober-twist to the traditional wine shop. 2048 Non-Alc Wine Shop features a curated, boutique collection of quality, low-alcohol and non-alcoholic wines from across the world. 2048 values being a resource for our customers and sober curious people coming to the shop for non-alcoholic wine alternatives for of personal reasons or health reasons.
why you’ll love 2048:
This is the sober curious wine lovers paradise! Wines that don’t cause regret or hangover that taste and look like the real thing. Stop in and get recommendations based on your alcoholic favorite wines and never run out of new NA wines to try!
2048 hosts community and private wine tastings. More info can be found here.
Go on a Vr journey to new worlds
Verse Immersive
About Verse Immersive:
Verse Immersive is a interactive museum that you explore wearing fully transparent headsets, during which you see and interact with an unbelievable story. There are 4 different VR worlds to discover during your hour long experience. You can also document your time at Verse Interactive for your social media. It’s a experience unlike anything else you’ve seen and worth the trip!
Why you’ll Love Verse Immersive:
Be transported to another world with the power of VR. Book time exploring space, a futuristic city, or a trippy garden. This is an unreal holographic experience!
Verse is very conveniently located downtown right near Millennium Park and it’s set up for an individual or a group of friends.
krypton vr lounge
Website @krypton_vr_lounge
About Krypton Vr Lounge:
Krypton VR lounge is a group gaming space that you can choose from dozens of interactive VR games to play with your friends. Basically, it’s like an advanced video game night with the team. They have shooter, racing, simulation, the works!
Why you’ll Love Krypton Vr Lounge:
Up to 4 people in a VR booth or up to 6 people in a private room team up on over 55+ games across genres
Open until 11pm Friday and Saturday
Uncover clues to solve a murder
Death at the disco Murder Mystery Party
About Death at the Disco:
Travel back in time for a night to remember. Mocktails, 70's beats, groovy moves, scandals, and deadly disco fever! Join the sexiest crowd of Hollywood celebs, Wall Street wolves, famous athletes, and musicians in the Disco Fever Contest. Will you make it through the night?
Why you’ll love Death at the disco by Art Room Events:
Host at one of their stylized partner venues or at your own office. Art Room Events has partnerships with 1970s style lounges, bars, and historic landmarks in Chicago. You decide what venue makes the most sense for your team and your budget.
Pick from their highly rated themes such as Death at the Disco or Speakeasy or build something completely new and custom. You choose your experience, and Art Room Events will take care or organizing every detail, from personalized character descriptions, essential costume activities, and certificates for games winner. Art Room Events always has a staff member present to facilitate your event.
Host a board game night
Kibbitznest
About Kibbitznest:
Kribbitznest is a event space, bookstore, and cafe that cares about the community. They donate to their partner 501(c)3 to preserve the quality of human interaction and non-electronic communication. There is endless books, games, and trinkets to explore- you’ll forget all about your laptop!
Why you’ll Love Kibbitznest:
A wifi-free zone to connect more deeply with your friends
Has a bookstore with very carefully picked unique books and gifts of all kinds A portion of the proceeds benefit the nonprofit Kibbitznest, which accepts used books and sells them to fund their programming. A large selection of donated used books and rare books are for sale in the backroom and the ‘reading room.’
They are open to hosting themed events in their private space- can you say murder Mystery party?!
Snakes and Lattes
About Snakes and Lattes:
Snakes and Lattes creates a interactive gaming and dining experience that is hosted in one of their themed dining spaces. Meant to bring people together to enjoy learn and play together, the space has over 3000 boardgames! as well as good selection of lattes and food. Vegetarian and vegan options available as well.
Why you’ll love Snakes and Lattes:
The board game selection is unreal. Come in and discover your new favorite game with friends!
Three different themed private spaces set the scene for a great night- Spaceship, Hidden Forest, and Haunted Study!
Host a galentines Mocktail Workshop at home
About hosting a galentines mocktail workshop:
We love pink and sparkles as much as you and your girlfriends! Host a creat-your-own mocktail workshop at your own home or at one of our specialty venue partners! Learn how to make drinks that look and taste like the real thing with craft syrups, organic juices, and fresh garnishes! Choose from a huge selection of mocktails to learn during your workshop or we can choose from our Galentines specials!
Why you’ll love hosting a galentines mocktail workshop:
Host a private party with just the ladies you love and our funny and knowledgeable female mixologists in your own space
A dedicated event planner will help you every step of the way- from planning your drinks to helping with decor!
