According to an analysis by Gallup, there's been a marked shift among younger adults moving away from alcohol, with a steep decline from 49% down to 38% of U.S. adults aged 18-34 who reported having a drink in the past week over the last two decades, mentioned by FOX 32 Chicago. This trend is likely to continuously reflect in the social scene, especially as we step into the new year.
Over in Andersonville, the Eli Tea Bar is hosting a New Year's Eve Trivia for teams of six. This cozy spot has been a kind of bastion for the sober and sober-curious, even outside the holidays. "I ain’t dead, I just can’t drink," Erik B. told the Chicago Sun-Times during their coverage on non-alcoholic nightlife. Eli Tea Bar and others like Everything Bar, a venue throwing an alcohol-free New Year’s bash according to FOX 32 Chicago, appear to keenly cater to this burgeoning sober community.
But the options don't stop at trivia and parties. The West Town area boasts In Good Spirits, an alcohol-free bottle shop that’s decided to not just quietly open for New Year's Eve, but broadcast its mission from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for all those looking to stock up on non-alcoholic beers, wines, and spirits before the clock strikes midnight.
While alcohol-free options are gaining traction thanks to movements like "Dry January," and the overall social shift towards health and wellness, Chicago's 20-somethings aren't just turning away from booze because it's in vogue. Younger generations might be finding allure elsewhere, like Chicago's legalized marijuana or they might simply have more health-conscious attitudes towards substances and socializing. As Syamala Krishnamsetti, board member of the Story Theatre, noted to the Chicago Sun-Times, there's a much higher demand now for non-alcoholic drinks at events.
