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The Independent
7 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
I traded boozy nights for a hiking club – could this be the future of socialising?
In a world that's increasingly searching for connection, a quiet shift is underway. More of us are trading the blurry aftermath of boozy weekends for something gentler – sober socials in the great outdoors are the latest wellness trend turning heads. And this extends to all generations, it's not just gen Z who are becoming more health conscious. I've been noticing that so many of us seem to be seeking moments that don't leave us reeling, but instead restore us. From run clubs to phone-free retreats, a new kind of social scene is emerging. One where a good time doesn't have to culminate in a morning of hangxiety, but instead in the clarity of the present. Although this concept isn't entirely new to me, I recently set out with HikeFest, a music-meets-hiking project from Columbia's Hike Society, to dive deeper into what it is about wellness socials that are captivating a wider audience. I was also curious to see what a day of hiking, music and new connections might bring. Like many people my age, I've had my fair share of nights I only half remember, and days lost to their aftermath. But I've recently started reflecting on what actually fills my cup and the kinds of social engagements that actually leave me feeling enriched. This new wave of socialising – one that hinges on activities, exercises and the pursuit of wellness – isn't about giving up drinking entirely, but about decentralising it. In fact, new data from Eventbrite shows that attendance at ' sober curious ' gatherings surged by 92 per cent last year. This is an idea I can get behind. 'In the past few years, there has been a shift amongst the Gen-Z and millennial populations where they are less about pub culture and nightclubs, and socialising in ways which will better their health and overall wellbeing,' says Eoin Treacy, UK marketing manager at Columbia. 'Hanging out with friends in a different way, such as going on hikes, group runs and wild swims with like-minded people is now a more popular form of socialising. Being outdoors and taking part in a sporting activity such as hiking with others can have a profound effect on your mental health and overall wellbeing.' The day-long event I attended marked the start of Columbia's summer series, blending live music with hiking trails across the UK. These off-grid retreats provide a gentle nudge to put our phones away and step fully into where we are. That morning in Anglesey, I didn't know what to expect, but I already felt a kind of calm that only comes from fresh air and knowing that a mental reset that lies ahead. The group came together for the first time only moments before setting off on the trail – most people had brought a plus one but I was flying solo. Those who were in it for the hike confidently strode ahead, while others lingered to take in the views. I moved between conversations with new friends, with strangers and with my own thoughts. I've recently experienced the social shift in hiking, walking and running spaces firsthand. I've enjoyed seeing more people turn to nature not just for themselves, but for shared experiences. Some of my closest friendships have grown out of a situation in which I had no phone signal and no expectations, just the road ahead. By the time we reached the secluded beach, I was ready to enjoy a packed lunch and some music from surprise guests – which happened in this case to be Bombay Bicycle Club and Lavender. Not a bad line up for a hiking club. Framed by cliffs and gently crashing waves, the acoustic set was stripped back, unedited and felt more powerful. A few of us then waded into the cold water at the beach, braving the waves and bracing temperatures for a reset. There's something about stepping into a new setting, especially one that encourages presence over performance, that brings out the best in people. The combination of movement, music and the sea created an atmosphere that felt whole enough in itself that I didn't feel the need to reach for a drink to fill in any awkward gap. Those sorts of awkward moments didn't even exist along the coast of Anglesey. After having had a week filled with the usual mental noise, I left the hike feeling lighter than when I'd started. Not just for that moment, but for days to come. This after-effect of calm and contentment is what keeps me going back to wellness socials – whether it's with one one of the many hike groups available to join, or a self-made outdoor adventure. 'There are a number of studies which have shown time outdoors can reduce your cortisol level – the stress hormone in the body – and boost the serotonin and dopamine level – the feel-good chemicals in the brain,' says Treacy. 'Doing this in conjunction with socialising which involves positive emotions and connection can trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to reward, motivation and pleasure. This can lead to increased mood, reduced stress, and a general feeling of wellbeing.' Realising that I can have meaningful moments with friends without using alcohol as a safety blanket or crutch has created a massive shift in the way I live my life. This isn't to say I've given up drinking completely, I can still enjoy alcohol if I want to. But when we start to build social rituals around clarity, calm and connection instead of alcohol, the drinks simply become background and not the focus. This new social scene isn't about ditching alcohol altogether, it's about no longer needing it to have a good time and make friends. I turned up to the hiking club alone, but left with new connections and perhaps most importantly, with a clear mind.
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Hull 'sober-curious' scene has drinkers in high spirits
With hangover-free pub crawls, sober socials and non-alcoholic alternatives popping up around Hull, Josh Gorroño Chapman has been speaking to businesses and those cutting out booze to hear more about the evolving scene."I do it for the taste as opposed to the feeling it gives me because I know that feeling comes with baggage."As Henry Beercock chats to me over a bright pink cocktail garnished with a fresh lime wedge, you could easily believe it was any normal night at The Brain buzzing Old Town cocktail bar, found along the Low Ale Trail, is hosting one of Alcohull Free's first sober place once a month, the socials aim to offer a hangover-free night out with good food and Beercock, 34, set up the group when he realised how few options there were when he went sober in October 2023."I would avoid going out," he explains, "and this is what I'm trying to encourage for other people.""Still come out. There is a good time to be had. Do not not socialise." 'Increasing demand' Developed in partnership with Hull City Council's public health team in 2019, the Low Ale Trail aims to make it easier for people to find low and no alcohol options at bars and Improvement and Service Development Manager Phil Wray says the team has noticed the choice of drinks is growing in the city."We know that our local venues are seeing an increasing demand which is a great sign people are being really conscious of their alcohol consumption."In 2023, more than 120 million pints of no and low alcohol beer were drunk across the UK, according to the British Beer and Pub Association which estimated sales would continue to increase. The original trail, initially only covering Hull's Old Town, has now expanded to include one in the Avenues and another in the Theatre Quarter, with 35 venues taking part. "You still want to have that buzzing atmosphere but not suffer," laughs Alex at Scale and Feather, another bar along the trail, the 26-year-old says there has been a generational shift when it comes to drinking."A lot of people my age don't want to be hung-over all the time," she explains."They're joining running clubs and doing more things like that rather than getting hammered in a pub."Alcohol Change UK said about 30% of people who drank alcohol in the last six months reported becoming more concerned about the long-term damage drinking may have on their concerns were highest among the 25-34 age group and lowest among those aged 55 and over. Dennis Wann, 59, is the landlord of The Sailmakers Arms and Ye Olde Black Boy, both also on the trail, and says he has noticed a shift too."The Heineken 0.0 is on its own dedicated cooler so that it can't ferment and can't become alcoholic," he said. "That's an investment of £3,500."[People] think it's got no alcohol so it should be cheaper, but it's actually a longer process," he said. "It starts off as a normal Heineken beer and then they boil the alcohol off." Back at the sober social, Sallie Charlton tastes the aptly-named Alcohull Free cocktail."You wouldn't know that didn't have alcohol in it," she says, with sounds of approval from her pair met at a previous event and now meet up socially and text. "It's a proper friendship," adds Ms 56-year-old said health was a big factor in making the decision to switch."Particularly for me getting older, I'm quite health conscious about what I'm putting into my body now."She says alcohol replacements have been a big help psychologically."When you finish work and pour that drink, it's exactly the same as if you had alcohol in it. It's really weird how that happens." "It's that ceremonial pint, that kind of the ritual of a pint in a pub or bar," agrees Mr Beercock. "The alcohol-free beers really scratch that itch."He says he hopes to grow the group "into something bigger"."The sober, sober-curious scene is very much in its infancy, but there's room for growth, which I find very exciting."Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
