It’s been a minute crew. I know. My apologies.
I am in the process of redoing my website and getting ready to share some exciting news to come in a few months when I am able to share it! So, stay tuned!
One of the groups I help in my practice is those that struggle with the place of alcohol in their lives. And really I hesitate to use the word struggle because they may or may not struggle with it. But either way, they choose not to drink, prefer not to drink much or maybe they do have that lingering question of if they drink too much. This is not to say any of these people have an alcohol problem. That’s really not the right question to ask. Rather ask another question: what role does alcohol play in your life? And why do you choose to drink or not? And how do you feel about your relationship with alcohol?
So, I wanted to share some ideas of things to do to that aren’t centered around alcohol. Seems these days everything is centered around alcohol. I mean I love a good 10k, but why do we need to drink beer while we run it or even after? Sometimes I find having a plan, knowing where and what do do and that others out there are in the same boat is half the battle. And aside from these great ideas, there are some wonderful places and events to do if you are here in lovely Denver, Colorado.
Join a community that’s not centered around alcohol or is alcohol-free. These days there are so many shades of grey when it comes to alcohol consumption, everything from sober to mindful moderation to you-name-it. Definitions aren’t so black and white and it’s freeing! You can find “Sober Curious” or “Sober Movement” meet-ups around the country.
If you are in Denver try: Archipelago is a fantastic community. Their activities are wellness focused and you’ll meet other like-minded people! Their next wellness focused event is July 12th!
Try some fun out-of-the-box places, like a roller rink, bowling alley, maker’s or crafting events, cooking classes or an Escape Room! Most cities have them these days and they are so fun you won’t even think about missing alcohol. And the great news about the Escape Rooms is that most want you on your A-game and so they don’t even allow alcohol.
If you are in Denver try:
Roll at EXDO Denver, an old school roller skating rink night
Escapology, Denver’s escape room and restaurant
Cooking classes at Create Cooking School
Mercury Cafe, Candelaria, Peace Cellar and Apothecary Tinctura have a list of calendar events w/o booze, think dancing, poetry nights, art, herbs, tarot readings, making things like candles, and more!
Check out an untraditional place that doesn’t serve alcohol to get a great drink. Places like local kombucha bars, kava bars, herbal or elixir drinks.
If you are in Denver try:
Kavasutra, a super fun kava bar
Plus, there’s a new no-alcohol bar coming to Denver soon, so stay tuned, I will list it here when they open!
Timeless activities, like museums, botanical gardens, book stores, antique or thrift stores, movie theaters, concerts, and more. There’s really not a lack of things to do that don’t require, include or need alcohol, sometimes we just need to choose ourselves rather than the alcoholic drink.
If you are in Denver Try:
MCA and Clifford Stills, are my favorite art museums, but there’s so many more
watch a movie at the Mayan Theater
Check out the Tattered Cover bookstores
Jazz in the Park at City Park in summertime
Go to a bar that has great non-alcoholic drinks and mocktails (I personally hate that term, seems lame to me, why does the word “drink” NEED to imply that it has alcohol in it) and order one!
If you are in Denver try:
Middleman or Hotel Teatro for a good mocktail and add some Supergood CBD (made locally here as well).
Local Brewery, Little Machine, has an amazing n/a drink called Mosaic, it’s a hops-flavored sparkling water. I promise it’ll knock your socks off!
Fort Greene, Stuben’s, and Lingers all have great non-alcoholic lists that are actually interesting too!
Get outside, even if it’s just to soak in the sun or get out in nature. Nothing beats a hike or some good time in the sun.
If you are in Denver you know your options are endless for hikes and bikes. But you can also try a sunrise picnic or yoga on the rocks at Red Rocks.
I hope some of these give you great ideas for things to do in Denver or anywhere there don’t need to include alcohol. If you have other ideas you think I should add please comment below. And if you try anything here you loved let me know!