<p class="bodytext">Venues and groups across Bengaluru are now hosting ‘sober raves’, and the parties begin as early as 9 am.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Earlier this month, Bangalore Creative Circus in Yeshwantpur hosted its first ever sober rave. The concept was inspired by a trend the team had noticed in the US and UK, says Manisha Vinod, cofounder.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“It was exciting to see iconic locations like the Katz’s Deli in New York turn into a rave. Since we recently opened our pre-loved vinyl store, we have made it a point to host a music event every month. So, a sober rave fits right in. The idea is to dissociate dance and music from alcohol,” she says.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The event featured a DJ from Italy who played music on LPs, and drew a crowd of 42. The attendees were young — between 18 and 32. Instead of alcoholic beverages, they sipped non-alcoholic beers and kombuchas.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“The younger generation are a way more conscious community in general <br />— when you look at the number of people going vegan and even moving away from alcohol,” says Manisha.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Arjun Radhakrishnan, cofounder of The Window Seat, an event curation platform, has noticed a similar trend. “The younger generation, especially 25 to 35, values community. They are keen on networking. For them, meeting new people and making connections has become increasingly difficult, which is where these sober experiences come in,” says the 24-year-old.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Since December 2024, The Window Seat has hosted two ‘coffee raves’ in Bengaluru, each with about 100 attendees. The events usually feature a DJ, a curated F&B menu, and a theme.</p>.<p class="bodytext">In Europe, he says, even supermarkets host raves. Play music anywhere, and it automatically turns into a gig. “But Indian audiences are more price conscious. If they are paying for something, they expect to get the most out of it. So, having an add-on like a curated menu is important,” he explains.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><span class="bold">Fitness kick</span></p>.<p class="bodytext">Restaurateur Bikash Parik has noticed Gen Z and younger millennials moving away from alcoholic beverages. At the same time, he says, he has noticed an increase in beverage sales. This led him to launch Practically Sobar, a non-alcoholic bar inside his restaurant Green Theory on Convent Road. The bar has been functional since December 2024. </p>.<p class="bodytext">“The younger crowd understands the importance of being healthy. Be it alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, they don’t want something laden with sugar. Empty calories are a big no-no,” Parik says.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The menu at Practically Sobar consists of a mix of experimental coffee and tea beverages, juices and milkshakes, and cocktails made with alcohol-free spirits — all priced between Rs 150 and Rs 350. The sober bar is also gaining <br />in popularity for its flagship events, <br />especially the silent music events and barista takeovers.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Another sober gig quickly gaining in popularity is hosted by 56 Run Club. Its proprietary event ‘Afters’ is a post-run gig hosted at cafes across the city. “After a run, when the adrenaline is still high, the atmosphere is electrifying. Unlike a party where you wake up hungover the next morning, here you get to attend an early morning party, dance, network, and still have the rest of the day free to do whatever you want,” says Arvind Srikanth, cofounder. In the future, the group plans to organise a pool party <br />and a midnight run. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Cheers without beers<br />*Curated food and drink menu<br />* Non-sugary drinks, no booze<br />* Paired with runs and networking<br />* No waiting till evening to party</p>
<p class="bodytext">Venues and groups across Bengaluru are now hosting ‘sober raves’, and the parties begin as early as 9 am.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Earlier this month, Bangalore Creative Circus in Yeshwantpur hosted its first ever sober rave. The concept was inspired by a trend the team had noticed in the US and UK, says Manisha Vinod, cofounder.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“It was exciting to see iconic locations like the Katz’s Deli in New York turn into a rave. Since we recently opened our pre-loved vinyl store, we have made it a point to host a music event every month. So, a sober rave fits right in. The idea is to dissociate dance and music from alcohol,” she says.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The event featured a DJ from Italy who played music on LPs, and drew a crowd of 42. The attendees were young — between 18 and 32. Instead of alcoholic beverages, they sipped non-alcoholic beers and kombuchas.</p>.<p class="bodytext">“The younger generation are a way more conscious community in general <br />— when you look at the number of people going vegan and even moving away from alcohol,” says Manisha.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Arjun Radhakrishnan, cofounder of The Window Seat, an event curation platform, has noticed a similar trend. “The younger generation, especially 25 to 35, values community. They are keen on networking. For them, meeting new people and making connections has become increasingly difficult, which is where these sober experiences come in,” says the 24-year-old.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Since December 2024, The Window Seat has hosted two ‘coffee raves’ in Bengaluru, each with about 100 attendees. The events usually feature a DJ, a curated F&B menu, and a theme.</p>.<p class="bodytext">In Europe, he says, even supermarkets host raves. Play music anywhere, and it automatically turns into a gig. “But Indian audiences are more price conscious. If they are paying for something, they expect to get the most out of it. So, having an add-on like a curated menu is important,” he explains.</p>.<p class="bodytext"><span class="bold">Fitness kick</span></p>.<p class="bodytext">Restaurateur Bikash Parik has noticed Gen Z and younger millennials moving away from alcoholic beverages. At the same time, he says, he has noticed an increase in beverage sales. This led him to launch Practically Sobar, a non-alcoholic bar inside his restaurant Green Theory on Convent Road. The bar has been functional since December 2024. </p>.<p class="bodytext">“The younger crowd understands the importance of being healthy. Be it alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, they don’t want something laden with sugar. Empty calories are a big no-no,” Parik says.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The menu at Practically Sobar consists of a mix of experimental coffee and tea beverages, juices and milkshakes, and cocktails made with alcohol-free spirits — all priced between Rs 150 and Rs 350. The sober bar is also gaining <br />in popularity for its flagship events, <br />especially the silent music events and barista takeovers.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Another sober gig quickly gaining in popularity is hosted by 56 Run Club. Its proprietary event ‘Afters’ is a post-run gig hosted at cafes across the city. “After a run, when the adrenaline is still high, the atmosphere is electrifying. Unlike a party where you wake up hungover the next morning, here you get to attend an early morning party, dance, network, and still have the rest of the day free to do whatever you want,” says Arvind Srikanth, cofounder. In the future, the group plans to organise a pool party <br />and a midnight run. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Cheers without beers<br />*Curated food and drink menu<br />* Non-sugary drinks, no booze<br />* Paired with runs and networking<br />* No waiting till evening to party</p>