In recent years, there’s been a noticeable spike in sober-curious or completely sober lifestyles. A 2023 study from Gallup shows an 11% decrease in adults having at least one alcoholic drink a week in the ages 18 to 34, with the percentage of adults under 35 who say they drink going from 72% to 65%. For a variety of different reasons, people are cutting down on the booze, and that means their priorities when it comes to social events and travel have changed.
Don’t get us wrong: we’re not saying weekends in Las Vegas or a trip to Munich for Oktoberfest are suddenly disappearing. But many adults, especially on the younger side, are looking for vacations where they can enjoy a delicious mocktail and adventure on unique excursions, rather than a popping party scene.
London Takes the Spot for Most Sober-Friendly City
If you are one of those people, you’ll probably want to know where the most sober-friendly locations are across the globe. The casino site McLuck released a report detailing the top 10 places in the world for sober—or sober-curious—travelers. Based on data like the number of wellness retreats or spas, along with other engaging activities like art centers, galleries, concerts, and more, here is the full list:
Country | City | Wellness Retreats/Spas | Number of Beaches, Rivers, and Lakes | Green Area (km2) | Libraries | Art Centers | Cinemas | Artworks | Attractions | Galleries | Museums | Historic Places | Concerts | Score (/10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
England | London | 1,148 | 264 | 446 | 293 | 497 | 123 | 156 | 1,548 | 471 | 282 | 225 | 3,139 | 8.92 |
Germany | Berlin | 434 | 122 | 199 | 234 | 239 | 156 | 107 | 3,000 | 425 | 307 | 344 | 4,738 | 8.56 |
Japan | Tokyo | 1,815 | 375 | 164 | 184 | 295 | 32 | 59 | 834 | 312 | 107 | 366 | 2,846 | 8.44 |
South Korea | Seoul | 398 | 71 | 219 | 129 | 792 | 262 | 188 | 398 | 345 | 110 | 319 | 579 | 7.88 |
Italy | Rome | 523 | 49 | 609 | 70 | 165 | 48 | 61 | 572 | 193 | 17 | 164 | 1,157 | 7.38 |
Spain | Madrid | 397 | 40 | 214 | 213 | 209 | 83 | 70 | 678 | 243 | 21 | 134 | 1,216 | 7.34 |
Spain | Barcelona | 744 | 10 | 11 | 168 | 209 | 89 | 49 | 1,026 | 254 | 38 | 171 | 2,195 | 7.20 |
Czech Republic | Prague | 275 | 17 | 185 | 124 | 118 | 29 | 35 | 797 | 256 | 47 | 148 | 1,805 | 6.78 |
Canada | Toronto | 503 | 99 | 104 | 100 | 188 | 30 | 43 | 415 | 232 | 48 | 66 | 341 | 6.67 |
Austria | Vienna | 137 | 34 | 137 | 88 | 147 | 58 | 35 | 794 | 196 | 74 | 190 | 5,477 | 6.60 |
It might be surprising to learn that London lands the No. 1 spot, considering it’s a metropolitan city with many pubs and a big drinking culture, but there are many other things to do there that don’t involve alcohol. From historic tours and iconic landmarks like Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, the Tower Bridge, and more, London is basically a sightseer’s dream.
Berlin, the No. 2 spot, is known for its iconic party scene—though that might be shifting—but there’s also incredible history and art to explore. Likewise, the No. 3 spot, Tokyo, has a legendary nightlife, but is also known for its technology, pop culture, and tradition. Plus, the food is a major highlight.
While you can no doubt find a drinking community just about anywhere—including in all 10 of these cities—these locations offer so much more than that. From yummy cuisine to fabulous culture that you just can’t get anywhere else, these cities should be on everyone’s must-visit list, whether you’re sober or not.
Many people use vacation as an opportunity to socialize with friends, party all night, and indulge in alcohol—and that’s okay. But for the other portion of society who’d rather learn about other cultures, sightsee, and engage in other attractions, there’s a whole world out there to see without having to drink.
McLuck pulled data from OpenStreetMap, Python libraries, and SongKick for this study.