The Sober Curator

Activation Bar 101: The Coolest Way to Elevate Your Sober Events

Megan Swan

Activation Bar 101

What is an activation bar?

An activation bar in the context of alcohol-free or mocktail bars now refers to a dedicated and interactive station within the bar setup aimed at engaging guests in unique experiences related to non-alcoholic beverages.

Activation bars are often used at events to create memorable experiences for your sober guests, it brings intentionality, art and heart into making your sober guests feel included and excited to attend. These alcohol-free or mocktail bars could be designed to showcase the art of crafting sophisticated mocktails, a specific brand of NA mixers or drinks, offer tastings of zero-proof spirits, or provide educational sessions on the ingredients and techniques used to create and celebrate with NA concoctions. 

The concept aligns with the rising trend of experiential marketing and events and the growing demand for high-quality non-alcoholic beverages. ACTIVATE YOUR NA BAR BABY!

Activation Bars represent a potential opportunity for an alcohol-free or mocktail bar or event to elevate the guest experience and promote the artistry and creativity behind non-alcoholic mixology – like we are waaaaay beyond sugary Shirley Temples and upping the ante on fun and even holistic wellness benefits sprinkled into the mix. 

We think, here at The Sober Curator, that in addition to badass NA mixology it should include fresh herbs, tonics and elixirs around a given theme to elevate the experience even more. 

Adaptogens? Elixirs? Herbs? Flowers? Tonics?   

Let’s go!

Unsplash+In collaboration with Margaret Jaszowska

How to Design One For Your Next Event:

  1. Consider the Event. Is there a logical theme or add-on that would enrich the experience for all guests or the guest of honor – think baby showers, sober weddings, sober bachelor or bachelorette, SO-BIRTHDAYS, cool teen parties, and for our sober Golden Girls out there.  
  2. Once you have a fun theme, what angle will you focus on – adaptogens? Elixirs? Herbs? Flowers? Fruits? Flavors? Tonics? Micheladas with a selection of NA beers? (I personally prefer my Heineken 0 or Corona 0 served as a Chelada.) Or, as a fun twist to elevate your NA wine or beer offerings, make it a flute of tasters.
  3. Think about the setup and aesthetic: appropriate glassware, do you need a blender on hand, a mixer, fun-shaped ice, umbrellas, fruit wedges, flowers, herbs, citrus, essential oils (make sure they are food safe variety), a mini-chalkboard menu, a fun cart, sweet, salty or spicy rim station?  
  4. Is the theme your guide to finding recipes or a given product?  
  5. Consider contacting a local NA company to see if they might be keen to participate and/or innovate with you.  
  6. Start small; maybe you just want to create a fun mini-activation bar at home with a couple of zero-proof spirits, bitters with adaptogens, dried citrus, lavender sprigs, or cinnamon sticks in a jar to feel you have an elevated offering for your next sober guest that pops by.

What are some fun new products to consider highlighting?

A few industry experts shared their favorites to try:

I love All the Bitters Fig & Black Walnut Bitters, but really any of their products. Owned by former sommeliers Ian and Carly Blessing, this family business continues to be the leader in creating non-alcoholic drinks with real ingredients. I’m excited that Giffard has produced exceptional cordials, ranging from ginger to elderflower. This helps expand mindful mixologists’ repertoire for classic and creative cocktails.

What if I just want to add NA wines to my list of options?

A few industry experts shared their favorites to try:

I enjoyed Kolonne Null’s NA cuvee blanc sparkling wine. There are several really good sparkling wines, but it doesn’t hurt to grow the category. I think Germany has produced some of the best non-alcoholic wines, though they are certainly not alone.

Others fun for spring and summer events include:

What if I just want to add NA beer to my list of options?

Checkout our in-house expert’s advice and inspiration here: NA Beers & 90s: NA Beer Reviews by Sober Curator Justin Lamb

Questions, collabs or recipes you want us to share? 

Reach out to me on IG: @meganswanwellness or LinkedIn

Stay tuned as we start to share themed NA Activation Bar recipes, themes and inspiration to elevate your events to not only make everyone feel more honored and included but even add a touch of wellness impact to your celebration. 

LAVENDER FIELDS ACTIVATION BAR

*ideal for baby showers, summer weddings, and your daughter’s graduation party

Shopping List + Set Up Ideas:

Order ahead + relax: All The Bitter – Alcohol-Free Lavender Bitters – and Amazon List

Grab Fresh the Day Of:

Set-Up

Lavender Haze Radio Playlist:

Mocktail Ideas:

*Pinterest Inspo + Recipe Board HERE

WELLNESS AS A WAY OF LIFE: Welcome to the Wellness as a Way of Life where we talk about how to master your health and wellness routines as a way of life.

WHO IS THIS PODCAST & COMMUNITY FOR?

This podcast is for ambitious women who are looking to live with more sustainable energy, confidence, mental clarity and ease. I’m your host Megan Swan, creator of the Wellness as a Way of Life course and the Sustainable Integrated Wellness Approach. I have more than a decade of experience in the wellness industry and on my own personal wellness journey – learning how to tune into and trust my intuition and drown out all the noise.

WHO IS MEGAN SWAN?

As a certified IIN Health Coach, Detoxification Expert, Plant-based Chef, Yoga Teacher and Coach I will help you distill down the information overload and feel more at ease in your own skin again. At 30 I sold everything to embark on my own “Eat, Pray, Love” journey of sorts and now at 44 I’m still on my first stop where I fell in love with one of my English students. We have two beautiful boys and three adorable dogs and love to travel and explore the lesser-known beaches of Mexico. I am also 5 years sober.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

This podcast will teach you how less is more and that there is no one-size-fits-all in terms of wellness practices! It will also teach you how to identify which wellness trends are really for you, personalize them and make them a part of who you are instead of another checkmark on your to-do list. So, let’s Swan dive in!

FOLLOW ALONG WITH MEGAN: 

Resources Are Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

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