Whether you’ve given up drinking permanently, are dabbling in a ‘sober sprint’ to reset your relationship with alcohol, are pregnant or have just simply! had! enough! of all of your social plans revolving around alcohol… I hear you. As somebody who spent fifteen months being booze-free, before gradually reintroducing the odd cocktail into my life, I’m still very much committed to the idea that alcohol isn’t the be all and end all. In fact, I’ll still regularly go on nights out and drink nothing but ginger beer, or alcohol-free Prosecco, and am happy at home on the sofa with a non-alcoholic wine whilst my boyfriend is drinking the real deal.

But, I know during that time of being teetotal (and still sometimes now tbh), it can feel really tough landing on a fun, sociable activity that doesn’t revolve around getting drunk. So, I set out to uncover the best places to have a sober date in London (and beyond – where possible), the best places to have a sober night out and generally just the best places for people who don’t want to drink to have a jolly old time.

On the list is everything from beautifully thought out tasting menus, paired with genuinely exciting non-alcoholic drinks, to bars that don’t serve alcohol at all (and have a huge selection of mocktails available), to activity-based venues that have plenty of alcohol-free options for those not interested in a wine headache in the morning…

What is it? Coco’s Tower Bridge site is perfect for when you’re wanting a boujee brunch, or to get dressed up in your highest heels for dinner, but still keep it 100% teetotal. We popped in for dinner and the tunes were on point, the theatrical dishes and mocktails were delicious, exciting and more than Insta-worthy… and honestly? It felt like the perfect, upbeat venue for a special occasion, minus any drunken hollering from the next table over spoiling things. Make sure you order the glazed cauliflower starter (the sauce it comes in is out of this world), the crispy shrimp and one of their magical dry ice alcohol-free cocktails.

What’s the vibe? At dinner, the beats were getting us geared up for a night out. Get your cutest ‘fit on, snap some pics for the gram and dabble in a spot of shisha smoking, whilst looking out at the twinkling London skyline.

Price: £££ (there’s a minimum spend of £50pp on Fridays and Saturdays)

Make a reservation at Coco Grill & Lounge here