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Does your idea of fun after dark involve a cup of hot chocolate and listening to a play on BBC Radio 4? If this is not your idea of exciting nightlife though, you may be a bit worried about how let your hair down now that you are sober. You may even feel that lack of nightlife options is a deal-breaker and one that you could use as an excuse to relapse. The good news is that there are actually many good nightlife options for those in recovery and here are just some of them.
Sober Night Clubs
If you live in one of the big cities such as London, you may have the option of sober nightclubs. These may only be available at certain times but they usually have options such as mocktails (alcohol-free cocktails), and the environment can feel the same as a regular nightclub.
12 Step Parties/Dances
Most 12-step groups will have parties at special times of the year (such as New Year and Christmas) and these can be amazing fun to attend, despite the lack of a social lubricant. It is also a great way to enjoy the company of people who are on a similar path to you, and it can mean you do not feel left out at those times of the year when everyone else is celebrating.
Live Music
Live music can be incredibly exciting, and there is no real reason why you cannot enjoy this type of entertainment once you feel solid in your sobriety. Sometimes there will be alcohol on sale, and there are likely to be people there who are have been drinking or using drugs; however, this depends on the type of event. It is probably not a good idea to go watch live music in pubs. The big concerts can be very enjoyable, and you can bring along a sober friend for company.
Bowling
Bowling is actually a fun night out, and it is a great way to socialise with friends. It is not so much fun if you just throw the balls and hope for the best, but if you start to develop your skills then you may become incredibly passionate about the game – you may even be asked to join a team.
Go to the Cinema
Watching a movie in a cinema is a lot different from watching it on the TV. These days, the latest films become available for home viewing a lot quicker than in the past, but you just do not get the same experience as you would in the cinema. Making time to go to a movie once a week gives you something to look forward to and it is nice to see new films as soon as these are released – it can give you something to talk about with friends.
Coffee Shops
All the cool people spend their evenings in the coffee shop, so there is no reason why you cannot do the same. You can take a book with you and look sophisticated as you sip on your Frappuccino. Most coffee shops stay open until late and are usually happy for you to sit there for as long as you want.
Attend a Night Class
Okay, a night class probably sounds more like work than fun, but this can actually be a great way to meet new people. There are also many fun classes to choose from, including art or dancing. There are many examples of sober people who met their future spouses at night class, so do not be too keen to dismiss the possibility. Even if you don’t manage to meet your future husband or wife, you can still pick up some useful skills.
