Meeting for a date can be a nerve-wracking experience and for some people, having a beer or wine can help to calm the nerves. But drinking doesn’t have to be part of your dating experience, and there are plenty of alcohol-free date ideas to enjoy together. Some Christians prefer not to drink at all, and for others drinking alcohol isn’t an option. It can be wise to approach a first or later date sober and be focused on the person you’re meeting.
If you or your date have chosen to be teetotal, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a relaxed and enjoyable time together. In fact, a clear head can be a bonus. Whether it’s personal preference, health, or any other reason, seeking out an alcohol-free date idea or two can help you concentrate on getting to know each other without distractions.
Most dates can be modified to be sober dates, but here are a few suggestions of alcohol-free date ideas to try.
1 – The classic coffee date
It may be a cliché, but the getting-to-know-you coffee date is a steady option. Whether there are cool and quirky independent cafes nearby, or you prefer the familiarity of a big chain, you have a good idea of what to expect and lots of options to choose from. It’s simple but effective, useful if you want something that is around other people, not too expensive, and can be extended to two coffees if the date is going well!
2 – Time for tea
Swap the coffee for a tea tasting. If you’re ready for a treat together, you could try afternoon tea. Not only will you have a plethora of sweet treats and nibbles to enjoy, but a range of different types of teas to try, which is fun to explore. You could try a themed afternoon tea at a fancy hotel or something more casual in a cafe. Small, independent tea rooms can be equally delicious or if there’s nothing local, why not create your own afternoon tea picnic?
3 – Sweet treats
There are lots of specialty drinks and treats to try for an easy alcohol-free date that keeps things casual. For the chocolate lovers, a hot chocolate with all the trimmings can be an indulgent distraction as you chat. If it’s too hot for a warm drink, an ice cream date is a fun option. You can enjoy different flavours and maybe even discuss your favourites before you decide on your selection.
4 – Mocktail moments
If you’d like to have a date in a fancy bar or coffee shops aren’t open when you meet but don’t want to drink, it might be time to explore a mocktail (alcohol-free cocktail). Bars are increasingly catering for a diverse clientele, so rather than shaking up a cocktail, you can request something with flavour and bit of effort, just minus the alcohol.
If you’re feeling adventurous, track down a mocktail making class or make the date a mission to visit a few new places, trying their offerings. They’re normally a juicy or zesty concoction, with some fun looking names – try and find the most unique mocktail name, or invent your own!
5 – Active Games
Instead of focusing on sitting and chatting over a drink, why not try something active and fun? You could try laser quest or laser tag, paintballing, or if you’re feeling less energetic go to an arcade or try interactive games. You could even go to an escape room together and use your brains and logic to work together to escape in time.
6 – Exercise Dates
Rather than basing your date on what you consume, why not use this opportunity to use exercise and give out. You could take a dance class together, try roller skating, ice skating, go for a run together (if you both like fitness!) or do something a little more active. Situations where you use your body help to produce endorphins, and the chances are they’ll make you feel much better after exercising, even if the date isn’t one you want to repeat!
7 – Bookshop Browsing
A gentle and calmer approach to dating could be to browse a bookshop together. Bookshops often encourage customers to linger, with some providing comfy armchairs to relax in, so there’s no time pressure. You could talk about your favourite books, share recommendations, enjoy just taking your time chatting and meandering around, and then even buy a book too – this could be a perfect introduction to a second date if you buy a book each to then swap, or buy a book that you can both read and discuss at a later date.
8 – Enjoy a performance
Whether you’re looking for something a bit more a special or a low key, local outing, a trip to enjoy a live performance could be a great alcohol-free date. Theatre, a concert, gig or recital give you the opportunity to be in a lively environment, enjoy seeing something new, and enjoy time together. There is an immediate conversation starter and something memorable to appreciate.
Alcohol-free date ideas aren’t uncommon. Many activities don’t naturally fit drinking anyway! Whatever you do, you can simply decide not to drink – and if you do, be mindful of how behaviour affected by alcohol can be detrimental to others. Not all choices made under the influence of alcohol will be good ones.
I don’t drink alcohol and found that I didn’t need to when on a date. Most of the time, people respected my choice, but not all, and it was an eye opener to see how people treated me around the subject of alcohol. Respecting someone’s choices is important and pushing someone to compromise on something like alcohol is red flag. It can easily become a deal breaker.
Alcohol is not needed to have a good time. Instead you can allow yourself to truly appreciate the date fully, without being blurred by nervous drinking. Alcohol-free dates can end up being cheaper as well, allowing you to spend a little more on something more special should you wish.
What are your favourite alcohol-free date ideas?
Enjoyed ‘8 fun alcohol-free date ideas’? Find lots more date ideas on the blog here.
