Let's be honest. Not drinking isn't the hard part of Sober October. The pub is.
You walk in. The barman says “usual?” Your mates look at you like you've just announced you're joining a cult. And somewhere, a jukebox starts playing something by Oasis, just to test you.
Here's how to survive it.
Decide your drink before you get to the bar
The bar queue is where good intentions go to die. You're stood there, the barman's looking at you, and your mouth says “pint of lager” before your brain's even turned up.
So decide before you walk in. Plenty of pubs stock an alcohol-free beer now. If they don't, lime and soda. If they don't have lime, find a new pub.
Have your excuse ready
Someone will ask. Have a line ready. “I'm doing Sober October.” “I'm driving.” “I've retired, I'm on a full pension.”
Best of all: “I'm raising money for Macmillan.” Nobody argues with a cancer charity. Send them your Go Sober for October link and watch the heckler turn into a sponsor.
Offer to drive
Instant hero. You control home time, and you get front-row seats to your mates getting progressively less funny while thinking they're getting funnier. Better than Netflix.
Stay in the round
Rounds are part of the fun. Order yours, buy theirs. If the round's getting expensive and you're on lime and soda, pull out politely after a couple. Good mates won't care. Bad mates will, and now you know.
Beware the converts
Every pub has one. The bloke who quit booze two years ago and took up running. He's now doing five-hour runs every Sunday. He swapped hangovers for hamstrings. He's still unavailable for Sunday lunch, still out the game. Just with better calves.
Nod politely. Don't ask about his splits. You'll be there till closing.
A confession
I market pub quizzes for a living. I'm Chief Marketing Officer at KwizzBit. So I've seen a lot of pub quiz teams. And I can tell you, the team that's not drinking always remembers the answer to round three. Just saying.
Bring your own to house parties
House parties are easier. Turn up with a few Savyll Moscow Mules or a box of Fierce Beer 1983 lager and you're the most popular person in the kitchen.
The deal bit
Mix any 6 drinks for home and save 5%, up to 15% for 24. For everything else, head to our Sober October guide.
The serious bit
Every drink on our site shows its exact ABV. If you're worried about your drinking, your GP is a great first call. And if you slip up in October, it's not the end of the world. Dust yourself off and carry on.
