This week’s nightlife beyond drinking culture in NYC • 5/18
We're throwing a Y2K party!
Hey friend,
Just coming on real quick to tell you a) I know I’m a day late with this newsletter and b) we’re throwing our first NYC party in months and it’s going to be a RAGER.
June 5: Zero-Proof Y2K Party
Okay hear me out: Hyper danceable Y2K tunes you can sing along to, a glitter bar, a bedazzling station, tarot, a professional photographer to snap your pics, non-alc drink specials, and in bed by midnight - how does that sound? Like an excellent Friday night out, if you ask me 😎
We’re teaming up with Kayla at Society Sobriety and Rachel from Buzzkill to bring you THE party to kick off your hot sober summer, meet other zero-proof party people, and have a fun night out without the hangover. 21+ because it’s gonna get dirrrrty 🔥 Party like it’s 2003, but without the underage drinking!
📍 Friday June 5, 7-11pm, McCarren Park House, Williamsburg.
🎟️ Limited early bird tickets left, grab them now!
🗓️ NYC Happenings
In this section, I share a highly subjective selection of my favorite sober-friendly events in NYC, with a strong focus on nightlife. Not all events are 100% alcohol-free, but they generally don’t revolve around drinking. If you’d like to submit an upcoming event, just reply to this email.
🥂 5/21: Sober-Curious Happy Hour (East Village)
Chronic and Iconic Collective, a community for women of color navigating chronic illness, is hosting a happy hour at No More Café with a silver carpet moment and pass-the-compliment cards designed to open conversation between strangers. Free, RSVP here.
🎶 5/21: Live Jazz & Zero-Proof Drinks (East Village)
And at 8pm, No More Cafés regular Thursday night live music session takes over featuring Karen Gonzalez and Ravi Sharma, a New York City–based voice and guitar duo blending jazz standards and Brazilian repertoire with warmth, intimacy, and ease. Free, optional RSVP here.
🎤 5/21: Singing Workshop (Flatiron)
The Sing Easy blends the relaxed vibe of a casual choir with a holistic approach to voice, offering exercises to open up your voice and songs that are simple to follow, regardless of experience level. This supportive environment empowers you to expand your voice practice, find natural harmony with yourself and others, and experience the joy of singing. Donation-based, RSVP here.
🍸 5/21: Women’s Happy Hour & Conversation (Flatiron)
Join our lovely friend Bri for her weekly meetup at The Maze, NYC’s first alcohol-free private members club. She’s moved her weekly Saturday coffee gatherings to a Thursday night prime time happy hour spot where you can sip NA drinks, journal & chat. Free, more info here.
🔈 5/22: Immersive Spatial Sound Bath (Williamsburg)
As an alternative to another night out, this is an invitation to return inward. This immersive sound journey at Reforester Laboratory has been composed specifically for a 24-channel spatial audio environment, where sound moves around and through the body, creating a deeply enveloping field of listening. Ticketed, RSVP here.
🎂 5/22: Superfly Dispensary Birthday Bash (UWS)
Celebrate Superfly Dispensary’s first birthday with a groovy night of music, pizza, special promos, and community on the Upper West Side. Guests can enjoy a live set from DJ Elephant Glasses, pizza, a photo booth, and additional surprises throughout the evening. Free, no RSVP required.
🍹 5/22: Tarot & Mocktails (East Village)
Hekate is thrilled to welcome one of social media’s most beloved tarot readers for a one-night-only event. Madam Adam will deliver a tarot talk and Q&A on how they developed their practice, what goes into a great reading, and what the cards actually want you to know - whether you’re ready to hear it or not. Free, no RSVP required.
🎧 5/22: Soft Beats at Soft Bar (Greenpoint)
Soft Bar, a zero-proof café and bar in Greenpoint, hosts weekly DJ nights that hit the sweet spot of “I want to go somewhere with music and vibes” but without the “OMG why did I go out on a Friday night, this is too much!?” Free, no RSVP required.
☕️ 5/24: Sober Sunday Social (Bushwick)
Join Cullie, Founder of Bar Nun, for her weekly laid back Sunday socials - this time she’s gathering the crowds at Saint Michel, a Bushwick art café named after Jean-Michel Basquiat. Grab a drink, join the group for an ice breaker, and meet new people. Free, RSVP here.
And that’s it for this week - a little light since it’s a holiday weekend. As usual, feel free to send me any tips for upcoming sober-friendly NYC nightlife events and I’ll include them if they fit.
You got this 🫶🏼
Sam
Founder, Bright Nights Social