By Kyia Small, Fourth Year, English and Spanish
From seaside trips to alcohol-free raves, here’s a rundown of the best events and activities for non-drinkers within the University and wider community this Welcome Week.
The new academic year brings with it a unique set of challenges, but having a social life as a sober student should not be one of them. As more and more young people are embracing a sober-curious lifestyle, alcohol-free meet-ups and nights out are now becoming popular social alternatives, and Bristol is no exception.
While many of the Student Union’s 400 societies integrate sober socials, students who seek guaranteed alcohol-free options have a choice of 101 boozeless activities to explore and enjoy. Amongst other things, you can try drum and bass boxing, part-take in a LUSH workshop and sail the harbour – but if none of those float your boat, you can always start your own.
‘I’m pleased that universities are talking about sobriety and not making everything alcohol-focused’
In an interview with Epigram, Eleanor, a second-year English and Classics student, vouched for the ‘café visits and walking tours, which do not involve drinking by default’ as great ways to feel included without compromising your core values. Eleanor also believed that these spaces allow students to ‘accept others without judgement and form part of a community’.
For those who are not looking to try alcohol this Freshers’, why not try your hand at a new skill by signing up for the SU’s free and diverse range of Give it a Go taster sessions? After all, Bristol has been rated the 10th Best University for Clubs and Societies in the UK this year!
Perhaps pub and bar crawls have become synonymous with university life, but the only round at Sober Circle is in the name. The founder, Sammy Hall, spoke to Epigram about how her non-profit Facebook group, which has gained 1800 members since 2019, is helping young people ‘connect [with one another] in a way that is comfortable and casual’.
Some of Sober Circle’s past events have included park yoga, cinema nights at Christmas Steps and cold-water swims. With a growing 18-25 demographic, Hall hopes to attract more students to her meet-ups with tailored events and promotions at the Freshers’ Fair. ‘I’m pleased that universities are talking about sobriety and not making everything alcohol-focused’ says Hall, ‘students should know that sober circles exist and that there are other options out there’.
If a no-booze pizza night sounds exciting to you, then Sober Circle is a space where, according to Hall, ‘people of all ages and genders can meet up and have fun’.
Or perhaps meeting students from around the world without the pressure of drinking is your thing? If so, then the university’s cultural hub, The Global Lounge, is well worth a shot. This welcome week, the group are organising a boardgame hangout, crafts session and even a treasure hunt around the city. As alcohol-free events, students can expect a relaxed atmosphere whilst exchanging not only personal but also cultural thoughts and ideas.
[S]tudents arrange awareness events and casual socials without the pressure of drinking
If changing the world in an alcohol-free environment appeals to you, then look no further than the Bristol volunteering and sustainability networks. As the university pledges to become a net-zero carbon campus by 2030, staff are always on the lookout for budding climate activists to keep the institution accountable. Opportunities to contribute include getting involved with Be the Change workshops or securing a role as a Green Impact Project Assistant for the chance to earn the Green Impact Award.
Alternatively, you can meet other like-minded people through the BAME, disability and LGBT+ networks (among many others) where students arrange awareness events and casual socials without the pressure of drinking.
For any non-drinkers who enjoy live performances and club nights, Bristol Sober Spaces offers a refreshing new initiative. Although the aforementioned student Eleanor notes that she has ‘never felt pressured’ to drink, she mentions that being the only sober one in the room can feel ‘isolating’. Every month, the Bristol Drugs Project hosts open mic nights with homemade food and mocktails to normalise sobriety. This August, Bristol Sober Spaces will transform the club scene with its second-ever Sober Rave at Basement 45. So, if you do not drink for religious or health reasons, preference, recovery or just sober curiosity, Sober Spaces is offering all students a night to (actually) remember.
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With its exclusively teetotal events and start-ups within the wider community, the University of Bristol is proving that a vibrant and exciting Freshers’ Week does not have to revolve around alcohol.
Featured Image: Unsplash / Winston Tjia
How are you socialising as a sober student this Freshers' Week?
