Close Menu
The Sober CuratorThe Sober Curator
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • ❤️ CONTENT
    • ⭐ BECOME A CONTRIBUTOR
    • CONTRIBUTOR DIRECTORY
    • DEAR READERS✏️
    • MEET THE SOBER CURATOR
    • 📰 PRESS 📺
    • THE SOBEES 🐝
    • CONTACT 📧
  • HAPPY EVERY HOUR
    • NA BEERS AND CIDERS 🍺
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC WINES 🍾
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC SPIRITS 🍸
    • READY TO DRINK 🥤
    • BEHIND THE BAR 🍋‍🟩
    • NA TASTING EVENTS CALENDAR 🗓️
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
    • BREAK FREE
    • CODEPENDENCY
    • MASTERING MENTAL FITNESS 🧠💪🏼
    • MENTAL HEALTH 🧠
    • RELATIONSHIPS 🤟🏽
    • SOBER NOT SUBTLE
    • SOBER POETRY 🖋️
    • SPEAK OUT! SPEAK LOUD! 🗣️
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE 🧬
    • WELLNESS AS A WAY OF LIFE
    • YOU’VE BEEN SELECTED
  • LIFESTYLE
    • #ADDTOCART 🛍️
    • ASK MRS. (W)RIGHT ⁉️
    • COMING OUT SOBER 🏳️‍🌈
    • 🏆 CONTENT
    • ✂️CURATED CRAFTS🎨
    • FASHION 👠
    • SHOP 🛒
    • SOBER SPOTLIGHT 🔦
    • SOBER CONTENT CREATION 💻
    • SOBER UNBUZZED FEED
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • #QUITLIT 📚
    • MOVIE REVIEWS 🍿
    • MUSIC 🎶
    • POPCULTURE
    • RECOVERY PODCASTLAND 🎙️
    • SOBER CURATOR PODCAST 🎧
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR 🗓️
    • SOBER SPORTS
    • TV SHOW REVIEWS 📺
  • TRAVEL & EVENTS
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR 🗓️
    • SOBER RETREATS CALENDAR 🗓️
    • SOBRIETY IN THE CITY
      • SOBER IN MINNEAPOLIS
      • SOBER IN NYC
      • SOBER IN SEATTLE
    • WHAT A TRIP! 🧳
  • SPIRITUAL GANGSTER
    • THE CARD DIVO 🔮
    • CLASSY PROBLEMS
    • SOBERCAST
    • SOBERSCOPES
    • SOBRIETY IN FLOW 🧘🏻‍♀️
    • THIRSTY FOR WONDER
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE 🧬
    • STOICISM
  • RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RESOURCE GUIDE
    • BREAK FREE FOUNDATION
    • FAMILY RESOURCES
    • GLOSSARY OF ADDICTION AND RECOVERY TERMS
    • LGBTQ+ RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • RECOVERY STORIES
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
The Sober CuratorThe Sober Curator
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • ❤️ CONTENT
    • ⭐ BECOME A CONTRIBUTOR
    • CONTRIBUTOR DIRECTORY
    • DEAR READERS✏️
    • MEET THE SOBER CURATOR
    • 📰 PRESS 📺
    • THE SOBEES 🐝
    • CONTACT 📧
  • HAPPY EVERY HOUR
    • NA BEERS AND CIDERS 🍺
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC WINES 🍾
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC SPIRITS 🍸
    • READY TO DRINK 🥤
    • BEHIND THE BAR 🍋‍🟩
    • NA TASTING EVENTS CALENDAR 🗓️
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
    • BREAK FREE
    • CODEPENDENCY
    • MASTERING MENTAL FITNESS 🧠💪🏼
    • MENTAL HEALTH 🧠
    • RELATIONSHIPS 🤟🏽
    • SOBER NOT SUBTLE
    • SOBER POETRY 🖋️
    • SPEAK OUT! SPEAK LOUD! 🗣️
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE 🧬
    • WELLNESS AS A WAY OF LIFE
    • YOU’VE BEEN SELECTED
  • LIFESTYLE
    • #ADDTOCART 🛍️
    • ASK MRS. (W)RIGHT ⁉️
    • COMING OUT SOBER 🏳️‍🌈
    • 🏆 CONTENT
    • ✂️CURATED CRAFTS🎨
    • FASHION 👠
    • SHOP 🛒
    • SOBER SPOTLIGHT 🔦
    • SOBER CONTENT CREATION 💻
    • SOBER UNBUZZED FEED
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • #QUITLIT 📚
    • MOVIE REVIEWS 🍿
    • MUSIC 🎶
    • POPCULTURE
    • RECOVERY PODCASTLAND 🎙️
    • SOBER CURATOR PODCAST 🎧
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR 🗓️
    • SOBER SPORTS
    • TV SHOW REVIEWS 📺
  • TRAVEL & EVENTS
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR 🗓️
    • SOBER RETREATS CALENDAR 🗓️
    • SOBRIETY IN THE CITY
      • SOBER IN MINNEAPOLIS
      • SOBER IN NYC
      • SOBER IN SEATTLE
    • WHAT A TRIP! 🧳
  • SPIRITUAL GANGSTER
    • THE CARD DIVO 🔮
    • CLASSY PROBLEMS
    • SOBERCAST
    • SOBERSCOPES
    • SOBRIETY IN FLOW 🧘🏻‍♀️
    • THIRSTY FOR WONDER
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE 🧬
    • STOICISM
  • RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RESOURCE GUIDE
    • BREAK FREE FOUNDATION
    • FAMILY RESOURCES
    • GLOSSARY OF ADDICTION AND RECOVERY TERMS
    • LGBTQ+ RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • RECOVERY STORIES
The Sober CuratorThe Sober Curator
Home - Creating Safe and Inclusive Entertainment: The Art of Blending Sober and Queer Communities
COMING OUT SOBER

Creating Safe and Inclusive Entertainment: The Art of Blending Sober and Queer Communities

Teresa BergenBy Teresa BergenOctober 2, 20247 Mins Read
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

When Andy Krumm quit drinking in January 2020, he worried that his social life would tank. But instead of staying out of nightlife hotspots, he decided to nudge them to make room for sober folks. This led to the formation of the production and events management company Sober One Six, a play on the 716 area code of his home in Buffalo, New York. Now Krumm puts on sober socials, drag shows, and other events for both the sober and queer communities.

“I can showcase a sober person that can stand onstage with a microphone, be his goofy, weird self, dance around, dance on the bar, be energetic, dress up in these crazy outfits,” Krumm said. “And that in itself, I think, is the message.”

Getting Sober

When I met Krumm for brunch at Betty’s in Buffalo on a September day, he described a couple of pivotal points that led to a happy, alcohol-free life and the success of Sober One Six. First, he read Quit Drinking without Willpower by Allen Carr. “It’s a very interesting book because it’s so simple,” Krumm said. “They debunk all the concepts of the drinking culture that we tell ourselves. And it reframes your brain to look at alcohol differently.”

Then, on Valentine’s Day 2020, he went out with his bestie, food blogger Rebecca Johnson, and had his first mocktail. “She had a cocktail. I had a mocktail. And we cheersed and we felt the exact same way that we did previously. So I was like, oh, wait, I can totally do this.”

Pictured: Andy Krumm, Photo Credit: Teresa Bergen

Multiplying mocktails

Krumm started documenting his forays into Buffalo bars as a sober person on his Mister Mocktail Instagram account. In 2020, few Buffalo bars did much in the non-alc realm. “Me being kind of like the more outspoken, extroverted person, I was like, well, I’m going to make sure that these businesses know that people like me exist and want to go out and have a good time.”

Mr. Mocktail barely got off the ground before COVID-19 hit. So Krumm started posting about his sobriety instead. “I connected with many people in Buffalo, but also across the world.” He scheduled a five-person happy hour at the Breezy Burrito Bar when things began reopening. I’d just happened to wander into Breezy my first night in Buffalo and was blown away by its full page of non-alcoholic drinks and its excellent vegan burrito. It turns out that Krumm gets credit for pumping up the zeroproof menu. He’d worked with the very supportive owner Briana Hunter to increase the mocktail offerings, including multiple flavors of Mockaritas made with Ritual zero-proof tequila. “It tastes very similar to the real thing, but no hangover the next day.”

Pictured Breezy Burrito Bar, Photo Credit: Teresa Bergen

Emphasis on inclusion

Krumm didn’t want to miss out on the feeling of inclusion and didn’t want other nondrinkers to, either. He grew to feel he deserved his place in nightlife without a bartender giving him the side-eye for ordering nothing more than a Diet Coke. “So then I kind of made it a mission to make sure the non-alcoholic scene was just a little bit more loud.”

After Krumm’s initial Breezy happy hour, his group chat of interested people grew and grew. “It started getting like 30, 40 people. So it started getting slightly out of hand for a group chat.” He switched to a public Instagram page, inviting people for a casual hangout.  

These sober socials are for people who are comfortable in a bar, whether they drink alcohol or not. Sober One Six is about normalizing nondrinking as an option rather than segregating from drinkers. Krumm works with local bars to make their non-alcoholic options more prominent. “The businesses are onboard with being inclusive,” he said.

Sober One Six buys the first round of mocktails—though this might change as the monthly sober socials grow. The business usually does a gift card giveaway. “Because as much as it is building the sober community, we want to promote the local businesses that also have mocktails,” Krumm said.

Queer and Sober

Sober One Six kept growing. “And at the same time that that was going on, I entered the queer community of Buffalo,” Krumm said. “I’d been out for a while since I was like 24. (He’s 32 now) But I never really had a queer group of friends.”

That all changed when he met a sober drag queen. In February 2023, Krumm hosted his first sober drag show. The following month, Sober One Six became an LLC.

Krumm values providing people with low-key networking opportunities at his sober socials. “But obviously, my love is going out and dancing. So, I love throwing drag shows. We do dance parties. I’ll be on board with anything that sounds fun to me. So I don’t pigeonhole myself into just drag shows or anything. We have a comedy show coming up at the end of this month. It’s a queer comedy show to showcase some of our queer comics in the area.”

Sober One Six events start early and end by midnight. Krumm is trying to attract people who might not want to stay out late. He also wants to bring queer artists into the mainstream. “As much as this is about sober community and being comfortable in spaces, it’s about the queer community, too, because that’s my other life. They’re all mixed together,” he said. “So again, it brings like just the comfortability up with people. So if you give them a safe space, you provide entertainment and then showcase that the entertainment are just real people as well, like we’re all just people, I found those two passions coincide together.”

Photo Credit: Teresa Bergen

Operating at 100%

For Krumm, sobriety is not about judging or being purer or better than anyone else. Instead, he feels like when he’s sober, he operates at 100% of his potential. “I always explain it like I was just flatlined. I was plateaued in life.” When he quit drinking, he was able to address physical issues like acid reflux and mental health concerns like anxiety.

“Then I was like, oh, this is totally 100% me now, and now I can execute the vision,” he said. “It’s an interesting self-discovery thing. You figure out where your interests lie. You stop doing things that you don’t want to do. You go home at a reasonable hour. You can make your decisions for yourself.”

Photo Credit: Teresa Bergen

Sobriety in the City Sober Curator

It’s always the perfect day for a perfect day!

SOBRIETY IN THE CITY is your guide to substance-free adventures and events in cities across the United States. We’re bringing you hidden gems, local hangouts, art exhibits, unique attractions and pop-up events, limited shows, and tours. Being fully present allows us to enjoy life to the fullest. But we’re still taking it all in, just one day at a time.


coming out sober the sober curator

COMING OUT SOBER: Our mission is to create a safe, supportive space for those navigating sobriety and LGBTQ+ identities. We aim to inspire others by sharing stories and exploring our unique challenges. Together, we’ll break down barriers, challenge rigid beliefs, and celebrate living authentically. Whether through personal anecdotes or reflections on societal norms, we hope to foster a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and loved.


Sober Spotlight The Sober Curator

SOBER SPOTLIGHT: This section of our site highlights extraordinary people in recovery. Who is making a difference in your recovery community? If you know someone we should spotlight, please contact us at thesobercurator@gmail.com or DM us on social media.


Sober Events at The Sober Curator

SOBER EVENTS: This is your go-to guide for exploring a variety of sober events across the United States.


The Sober Curator Email newsletter
SOBERSCRIBE NOW!
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.

follow the sober curator on instagram

Follow The Sober Curator on Instagram

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
Teresa Bergen
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Teresa Bergen is a Portland, Oregon-based writer who specializes in the outdoors, eco, vegan and sober travel. She’s written for many publications ranging from famous to obscure, and her previous books include Easy Portland Outdoors, Transcribing Oral History, and Historic Cemeteries of Portland, Oregon.

Related Posts

International Recovery Day September 30

International Recovery Day 2025: A Global Celebration of Hope and Healing

September 29, 2025
Rock 2 Freedom Slave 2 Freedom

Rock 2 Freedom Benefit Concert: Music, Mocktails & Mission

September 27, 2025
Recovery Beyond Campout 2025

A Weekend of Connection and Joy: Recovery Campout on the Olympic Peninsula 

September 23, 2025

Comments are closed.

Capsule Adventures Ryan Lee
Happy Traveler with Kim Parsley
Top AF Sober Travel Companies USA Today
Sober City Mobile App
SOBERSCRIBE AND GET ON THE LIST!
Sober Events at The Sober Curator
7 events found.
  • Week of September 29
  • Previous week
  • Next week
Notice
No events scheduled for September 29, 2025.
Notice
No events scheduled for September 30, 2025.
4:00 pm
The Sober Shift: An Evening with Author Suzanne Warye
October 1 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm PDT

The Sober Shift: An Evening with Author Suzanne Warye

The Whispering Shelf with Orangily and Hollie Nicholson Indianapolis
$30.00
All Day
Camino de Santiago Fundraiser for She Recovers Foundation with We Love Lucid
October 2 - October 9

Camino de Santiago Fundraiser for She Recovers Foundation with We Love Lucid

$2500
Casablanca to Marrakesh
October 2 - October 12

Casablanca to Marrakesh

$3195
All Day
Camino de Santiago Fundraiser for She Recovers Foundation with We Love Lucid
October 2 - October 9

Camino de Santiago Fundraiser for She Recovers Foundation with We Love Lucid

$2500
Casablanca to Marrakesh
October 2 - October 12

Casablanca to Marrakesh

$3195
10:00 am
Teetotal Tastes: The North Side/Allegheny West
October 3 @ 10:30 am - 12:30 pm PDT

Teetotal Tastes: The North Side/Allegheny West

Babb, Inc - formerly the Snyder mansion 850 Ridge Ave, Pittsburgh
Free
5:00 pm
First Friday’s: Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Tasting Mingle at Collective by Crew
October 3 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm PDT

First Friday’s: Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Tasting Mingle at Collective by Crew

Collective By Crew 306 Manchester Avenue, Media
Free
Sober October Soirée with Food, Friends & Free Drinks
October 3 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm PDT

Sober October Soirée with Food, Friends & Free Drinks

Burden of Proof 1012 Mission Street #Ste. B South, Pasadena
Free
+ 3 More
All Day
Camino de Santiago Fundraiser for She Recovers Foundation with We Love Lucid
October 2 - October 9

Camino de Santiago Fundraiser for She Recovers Foundation with We Love Lucid

$2500
Casablanca to Marrakesh
October 2 - October 12

Casablanca to Marrakesh

$3195
5:00 am
Shatterproof Walks to End Addiction Stigma
October 4 @ 5:00 am - 9:00 am PDT

Shatterproof Walks to End Addiction Stigma

Carsen Beach 180 Mt Vernon St., Dorchester
Free
6:00 am
P.E.A.S.E. Academy Annual Pancake Breakfast
October 4 @ 6:00 am - 10:00 am PDT

P.E.A.S.E. Academy Annual Pancake Breakfast

P.E.A.S.E. Academy 1211 SE 6th St, Minneapolis
$7.00
+ 3 More
All Day
Camino de Santiago Fundraiser for She Recovers Foundation with We Love Lucid
October 2 - October 9

Camino de Santiago Fundraiser for She Recovers Foundation with We Love Lucid

$2500
Casablanca to Marrakesh
October 2 - October 12

Casablanca to Marrakesh

$3195

Week of Events

Mon 29

Tue 30

Wed 1

Thu 2

Fri 3

Sat 4

Sun 5

October 2 - October 9

Camino de Santiago Fundraiser for She Recovers Foundation with We Love Lucid

Camino de Santiago Fundraiser for She Recovers Foundation with We Love Lucid

October 2 - October 9

Camino de Santiago Fundraiser for She Recovers Foundation with We Love Lucid

CAMINO DE SANTIAGO FUNDRAISER FOR SHE RECOVERS FOUNDATION October 2nd - 9th 2025 Join us in Galicia, Northern Spain for the ultimate sober team hiking adventure as we tackle the

$2500
October 2 - October 12

Casablanca to Marrakesh

Casablanca to Marrakesh

October 2 - October 12

Casablanca to Marrakesh

About this trip We cannot think of a more suited itinerary for HOOKED.    All your senses will be engaged on this Luxury 11 day / 10 night adventure in

$3195
October 2 - October 9

Camino de Santiago Fundraiser for She Recovers Foundation with We Love Lucid

October 2 - October 12

Casablanca to Marrakesh

October 2 - October 9

Camino de Santiago Fundraiser for She Recovers Foundation with We Love Lucid

October 2 - October 12

Casablanca to Marrakesh

October 2 - October 9

Camino de Santiago Fundraiser for She Recovers Foundation with We Love Lucid

October 2 - October 12

Casablanca to Marrakesh

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

The Sober Shift: An Evening with Author Suzanne Warye

October 1 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm PDT

The Sober Shift: An Evening with Author Suzanne Warye

The Sober Shift: An Evening with Author Suzanne Warye In THE SOBER SHIFT: A Modern-Day Guide to Living an Abundant Sober Life (HarperOne; 09/30/2025), wellness writer and creator of The

$30.00
10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Teetotal Tastes: The North Side/Allegheny West

October 3 @ 10:30 am - 12:30 pm PDT

Teetotal Tastes: The North Side/Allegheny West

Teetotal Tastes: The North Side/Allegheny West Fri, Oct 03 Babb, Inc - formerly the Snyder mansion Join Teetotal Initiative community for Teetotal Tastes: The North Side/Allegheny West, a flavorful adventure

Free
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

First Friday’s: Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Tasting Mingle at Collective by Crew

October 3 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm PDT

First Friday’s: Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Tasting Mingle at Collective by Crew

First Friday's: Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Tasting Mingle at Collective by Crew Come join us for a fun evening of tasting delicious non-alcoholic cocktails and mingling with others at Collective by Crew

Free
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Sober October Soirée with Food, Friends & Free Drinks

October 3 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm PDT

Sober October Soirée with Food, Friends & Free Drinks

Sober October Soirée with Food, Friends & Free Drinks What do you call a non-alcoholic open bar? Really just an excuse to party with you. Kick off Sober October with

Free
+ 3 More
5:00 am - 9:00 am

Shatterproof Walks to End Addiction Stigma

October 4 @ 5:00 am - 9:00 am PDT

Shatterproof Walks to End Addiction Stigma

Shatterproof Walks to End Addiction Stigma Together, we walk to end addiction stigma and restore hope for those impacted by substance use disorder. Together, we can change attitudes and save

Free
6:00 am - 10:00 am

P.E.A.S.E. Academy Annual Pancake Breakfast

October 4 @ 6:00 am - 10:00 am PDT

P.E.A.S.E. Academy Annual Pancake Breakfast

P.E.A.S.E. Academy Annual Pancake Breakfast Saturday, October 4th ♦ 8AM - 12PM America's Pioneer Recovery High School invites you to their 16th Annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser! P.E.A.S.E. Academy (Peers Enjoying

$7.00
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

SF Sober October Fest

October 4 @ 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm PDT

SF Sober October Fest

SF Sober October Fest Come vibe with us at the first SF Sober October Fest, hosted by Ocean Beach Café @ Eye & Hand Society! 🍹 A New Kind of

Free
+ 3 More
View Calendar
The Modern Day Hobo Bill Lindala Living the AirBnB life
The Sober Curator
Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) TikTok YouTube Pinterest
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • LINKS DISCLAIMER
  • EDITORIAL GUIDELINES
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • REFUND POLICY
  • DON’T SELL MY INFO
  • DATA SUBJECT REQUEST FORM
  • CONTACT US
© 2025 The Sober Curator - Benefits of a Alcohol Free Lifestyle

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.