London has been named as one of the world’s most sober-friendly cities.
Data from McLuck ranks London as the best city for a rich sober lifestyle, scoring 8.92 out of 10, with Berlin following in second with a score of 8.56.
The dataset measures the number of activities in a city that are not focused on alcohol, including museums, theatres, galleries, libraries and green spaces.
The capital tops the charts with 471 galleries and over 290 libraries.
London also has more than 400 square kilometers of green space, placing it second only to Rome.
Laura Willoughby MBE, a campaigner and co-founder of Club Soda, says alcohol is no longer the central focus for many people when they go out.
She said: “We are moving more and more to an experience-led culture.
“People are far more interested in the experience they’re having… than they are about drinking.”
Club Soda is a social impact business that works with hospitality venues to promote mindful drinking.
It offers training to venues and runs a shop selling alcohol-free alternatives, with the aim of ensuring people feel they have a genuine choice not to drink when they go out.
According to Willoughby, MBE, 74% of the UK population are moderating their drinking habits in some way, compared to other lifestyle choices like eating less meat.
This shift in behaviour is visible at venue level, Willoughby told the Londoners.
Some venues report 40% of their customers not drinking alcohol, especially during the day.
While London has relatively few sober-only spaces, alcohol is no longer the most important aspect of many evenings in the city.
Willoughby believes London’s cultural offerings, including theatres, museums, talks and live events, plays a major role in attracting both residents and visitors who are looking for meaningful experiences rather than nightlife centred on drinking.
Willoughby, MBE, said: “When people come to London, they’re coming for the culture,
“They want to see great shows, exhibitions and experiences… not just drink.”
As demand grows for experiences that do not revolve around drinking, the data suggests that cities offering a wide range of alcohol-free activities may be increasingly well suited to meet changing social habits.
Feature image credit: Sincerely Media via Unsplash
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