We’ve all heard of Dry January, but this year I decided to not drink in October for Sober October. I didn’t want to wait until January and I figured I’d save some money before gift giving season. Of course, something like this can be experimented with at any time of year for any length of time.
Everyone’s relationship with alcohol is different, but I found that cocktails or beer were always the center point of most of my social activities – especially living in NYC. There are just so many cocktail bars to try! I may have not exactly finished the challenge, but I’ll explain it all in the end..
I documented every time I would have had alcohol and how much money I saved. I did not expect to have so many social events, but it was the first month in a long time where I was not traveling. I consider myself a ‘social drinker’ and am not someone who likes to drink by themselves. This was my first time intentionally not drinking – at the end I’ll summarize my thoughts and savings (what I spent includes tips too).
Everytime I would’ve had a drink during Sober October/Dry January:
Friend’s Engagement Party
This was the second day of Sober October and I was already being tested. I am a bridesmaid in this wedding but didn’t know 90% of the people there – the restaurant where the party was held had their own wine that was free for everyone. So it was a little harder to resist knowing it was at no expense!
Would’ve Spent $0 – What I Spent $0 = Saved $0
Roommate’s Birthday
Who doesn’t like to toast a birthday? This ended up being a cozy night in with Williamsburg Pizza and wine. I find it easier to turn a drink down on weeknights so it wasn’t an issue.
Would’ve Spent $0 – What I Spent $0 = Saved $0
Dinner + Jazz
Probably one of the most difficult times to not drink this month was when a few friends and I went to Tomi Jazz. There was comforting Japanese food, live jazz music, and of course Asian flavored cocktails. My friends got lychee cocktails and I ordered pineapple and grapefruit juice to not just drink water. I still had lots of fun, but it would definitely have been a spot where I would have tried a new drink if not for Dry January.
Would’ve Spent Cocktails ($27) – What I Spent ($9) = Saved $18
Concert by Myself
I went by myself to a concert in Williamsburg which I had only done once before. I showed up early and would have liked some liquid courage to talk to the people next to me. I did end up talking to the same few people all night, but I felt pretty out of place – even though they also showed up alone. I’m so glad I went and was front row for one of my favorite bands Joan, which was well worth going alone.
Would’ve Spent Beer ($9) – What I Spent $0 = Saved $9
Dinner with a Friend
My friend and I went to Chama Mama in Chelsea, which blew us away. It was my first time trying Georgian food, so we also shared a pear lemonade which tasted like Filipino banana candy? It was so different and good and I can’t wait to go back. They had an extensive alcohol list, but we were happy to still try something new that was non-alcoholic.
Would’ve Spent Blood Orange Spritz ($17) – What I Spent $3 = Saved $14
Dinner with Friends
We went to Rosemary’s in the West Village and then to a speakeasy above Five Guys – it was my first time going ‘out’ that month, so I had a few mocktails. The speakeasy was definitely loud and crowded, so I was more easily annoyed sober. I still had a good time with great company though, but I would’ve preferred a quieter bar since I wasn’t drinking.
Would’ve Spent Negronis ($32) + a Cocktail ($16) – What I Spent $16 = Saved $20
Breakfast after Pickleball
I woke up extra early to play in a Pickleball tournament in Bay Ridge and took a subway to explore Park Slope after. I ended up sitting at the bar by myself at Terrace Restaurant and Bakery. It has ‘bakery’ in the name, but it was definitely more of a sports bar atmosphere. The food was the definition of comfort food, but a mimosa would’ve been the perfect compliment to french toast (after losing all of my pickleball games too). I couldn’t justify the $6 for orange juice without champagne though!
Would’ve Spent Mimosa $13 – What I Spent $0 = Saved $13
Dinner with a Friend
My friend and I went to a bar called Jackdaw and then to get Shabu Shabu (Japenese hot pot) at Kimura since our reservation wasn’t until 9:30pm. I got a mocktail at Jackdaw’s first – since they took awhile to take our order they gave us free lemon drop shots that my friend graciously drank both. Next at Kimura, a beer would’ve gone great with the hotpot, but I ended up getting tea instead. It was without a doubt one of the best restaurants I’ve been to in NYC which made Dry January sting a little less.
Would’ve Spent Cocktail $16 + Beer $9 – What I Spent $14 = Saved $11
Dinner with a Friend
I had a casual dinner at La Pecora Bianca and ordered a mocktail – it was just okay. My friend got a cocktail but we both just went to bed early afterwards after chatting for a few hours.
Would’ve Spent Cocktail $16 – What I Spent Mocktail $9 = Saved $7
Concert with Friends
A friend’s band was playing at Berlin in the LES – a super cute and intimate venue. The people I were with had beers or vodka sodas but I just opted for water. Again in a concert situation I would’ve gotten a beer but being surrounded by friends I didn’t mind as much.
Would’ve Spent Beer $9 – What I Spent $0 = Saved $9
Dinner and Visting a Brewery in Beacon, NY
For Dinner, I went to Wonderbar which had a host of drinks and small plates. I ended up getting a fizzy mocktail, but it was your sterotypical cocktail bar with lots of great options.
Then on October 30th, my boyfriend and I made our way to the Beacon Metro-North train stop. We went to get food at Two Way Brewing. Their kitchen was so closed so we waited 40 minutes for food to be delivered…and I ended up getting a sour beer. I was pretty happy with just one day left of Sober October and it was the strongest sour I’ve ever had.
Would’ve Spent Cocktail $15 – What I Spent $8 Sour Beer = Saved $7
Conclusion
I ended up saving $108, which is actually lower than I thought during this Sober October/Dry January month. More money could’ve been saved if I didn’t buy mocktails, but I was caught between wanting a drink and not wanting to drink water. I did appreciate how many places accommodated even if mocktails were not on the menu. It does seem like a waste of money though knowing it’s fruit juice and soda. Especially with NYC prices.
Aside from saving money, I didn’t wake up with any hangovers, and it really showed how people in my life were ok with it by not having any big reactions about doing Sober October/Dry January. I did realize though (with no surprise), that I depend on alcohol to a certain degree when I’m feeling socially anxious.
I’m so glad I still did all of the activities I wanted to even without alcohol to enjoy good company, even though it was harder. I didn’t end up weighing myself as I don’t own a scale and don’t like measuring progress purely with weight loss.
If you’ve ever thought about trying something like this, I would highly recommend it because why not? I learned more about myself and my relationship with alcohol while also saving money along the way. If you’re struggling with drinking alcohol please visit SAMHSA.
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