Being Sober Curious

When was the last time you chugged a drink — rather half-heartedly —only to refrain from sticking out like a sore thumb at a party?

It’s 2025, and it’s clearly passé to settle for less. Or to say no to things you’d actually want — sobriety included. With a significant percentage of Generation Z and Millennials alike jumping onto the “sober curious” bandwagon, we dive into the concept that has been gaining momentum lately.

Sober curiosity, a term reportedly coined by Ruby Warrington, Founder of The Numinous and Club SODA NYC, is a lifestyle choice that’s fuelled by health and wellness consciousness, stemming from a deliberate intent to improve one’s overall health by steering clear of potentially hazardous alcoholic tendencies.

Substantiating this observation is a recent finding by The Healthline publication, which suggests how even moderate levels of drinking could pose harmful consequences, including increased risk of cancer, sleep, concentration issues, and anxiety. There also seems to be a clear correlation between excessive drinking and liver diseases, alcohol-induced disorders, and several other issues.

We had a few thoughts from a couple of experts in the field to understand their perspective coming from the city’s F&B space.

Manish Sethi - Social Entrepreneur and Founder of Rescued Glass

“In my opinion, I think it’s great to see people taking to a sober, curious way of being. I have been off alcohol for almost two years now, and personally, I have noticed many health benefits. I believe it’ll be a sustainable movement, but it would largely depend on one’s willpower and lifestyle. It all comes down to balance. In terms of non-alcoholic beverages that the city folk have taken a liking to, well, I love fresh juices. But matcha has been my go-to drink lately.”

Vikram Arunagiri - Founder of GulpBKK

“There’s no denying that people, especially those belonging to a younger age demographic, have reduced their alcoholic intake. Statistically, the alcohol-beverages industry globally has seen a dip in the sales of several alcoholic drinks. However, I’d like to believe people are finding their “fix” elsewhere. At Gulp, we’ve seen a rampant demand for French Bloom Blan, a 0% alcohol sparkling wine. What makes it special? Well, the true taste of champagne that cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world without the buzz and hangover.”

Want to give this trend a try? Here are some guidelines that could help:

1. Aim for doable timelines. Beginners are advised to go without any alcohol consumption for 2 weeks.

2. Find alternate hobbies that can substitute for chilling out with friends who drink over the weekend.

3. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re finding it a bit challenging to go into its entirety. Moderation is a good start for those who’re intentional about cutting down on alcohol.

4. Meet the community: sign up for activities that have little to do with drinking alcohol.

5. Be open about your choice, and let your circle know. A long-term plan for your well-being will always be supported by those who matter.