On the Sober Curator Podcast, travel writer Liisa Ladouceur sat down with host Alysse Bryson to share her unique story—one rooted in a lifetime of sobriety, world travel, and a mission to normalize living alcohol free. Here’s what we learned about sober travel, punk rock, and making socializing inclusive for everyone, no matter what’s in your glass.
Finding Community Without Alcohol: From Punk Rock to Straight Edge
Liisa Ladouceur’s journey to sobriety didn’t begin with a decision to quit drinking—it started with never drinking at all. Unlike many, Liisa has been sober since birth, forging her sense of belonging in a culture where drinking is often the norm. As a teenager, she found her tribe in the Straight Edge punk rock community—a movement characterized by its commitment to no alcohol and no drugs. For Liisa, seeing other musicians and music fans embrace this lifestyle was empowering.
Straight Edge had its rituals, too. “People would put an X on their hands, with a marker or sometimes as a tattoo, as a way to signal, ‘Don’t serve me alcohol—by choice,’” she explains. It was about claiming agency and identity in an environment that often expects the opposite.
The connection to punk culture extended far beyond music or fashion (which, Liisa jokes, was “ordinary looking punk, just minus the booze”). It was about finding acceptance and support in an alcohol-saturated world—a theme that continues to inform her work as a travel writer and advocate.
The Reality of Sobriety in a Drinking Culture
Being a lifelong non-drinker is rare, and Liisa’s experiences navigating social expectations reveal much about our cultural relationship with alcohol. From her twenties, out at nightclubs sipping diet soda, she learned firsthand about the pressure to explain one’s choices. Even now, she points to an old Captain Morgan ad campaign that captured her lifelong refrain: “Why are you always asking me why?”
Liisa reflects on how society treats alcohol differently from other “no’s”: “If you tell someone you’re allergic to peanuts, no one says, ‘Just try a little.’ But with alcohol, you have to keep explaining.” She’s even had to pretend to be allergic to alcohol to avoid awkward encounters when traveling, like in an Irish pub where the mere act of not drinking prompted the question: “Why are you even in Ireland?”
Her resilience stems, in part, from her upbringing: “My mom told me, ‘It doesn’t matter if other people don’t like you, just find your people.’” For Liisa, that has often meant finding (or creating) her own sober-friendly spaces at home and abroad.
Sober Toronto and the Rise of Alcohol-Free Spaces
After years of fielding the same questions, Liisa decided to take action. She started organizing non-alcoholic happy hours in Toronto, encouraging people not to retreat but to explore the city’s vibrant dining and bar scene, minus the alcohol. Her ebook, Sober Toronto, emerged from this, a comprehensive guide to more than 100 bars and restaurants with excellent non-alcoholic options.
Liisa’s project is about more than drink menus. She says, “I want to walk into a place, look at a menu, and choose something, just like any other customer.” Her guide spotlights venues that truly value their sober clientele, not just begrudgingly teetotaler-friendly, but genuinely welcoming.
While Toronto doesn’t currently have a fully alcohol-free bar, it boasts several “sober bottle shops” that double as community gathering spaces, offering everything from DJ nights to drag shows. Liisa is optimistic about the future, but notes, “The point is connection. We should all be able to celebrate together, regardless of what’s in our glass.”
Sober Travel: Breaking Barriers, Building Memories
Liisa’s passion extends worldwide—she’s visited over 25 countries completely sober and shares stories on her blog, LisaWanders.com. She highlights destinations where alcohol isn’t central (like Morocco, where it’s not widely available) and cities renowned for their bar scenes that are evolving to embrace sober options (like Paris, with its cutting-edge mocktails).
Her philosophy is universal: “Any place can be a great place for a sober trip if you’re with people who respect you and are there to have a good time.” Whether it’s a monster truck tour in Nashville, sipping fancy juice in a Marrakesh shisha lounge, or cozying up with tea and travel guides, Liisa proves that a sober lifestyle is not only doable but deeply rewarding.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Real, Keep It Fun, Keep It Sober
Liisa Ladouceur is living proof that adventure, connection, and joy are not just possible without alcohol—they’re often richer for it. Whether you’re a seasoned sober traveler or just curious about exploring new ways to socialize, her story is an invitation: Don’t let expectations—or what’s in your glass—hold you back from experiencing the world.
Ready to plan your sober adventure?
Check out LisaWanders.com, grab a copy of Sober Toronto, and join a global movement redefining what it means to have fun, travel wide, and live fully—sober. You can also follow Liisa on IG @liisaladouceur.
Hosted by Alysse Bryson & Tamar Routly, and produced by Podcast Impact Studio, The Sober Curator Podcast brings sober lifestyle, pop culture, & recovery to the mic. Alongside Alysse & Tamar, rotating global contributors join as co-hosts to explore zero-proof drinks, sober travel, quit lit, entertainment, & mental health. This is sober media with personality, perspective, & a glitter bomb of honesty. Sober-curious or living alcohol-free, we’ve got you! We’re not here to help you get sober. We’re here to help you live sober: and love it.
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About the Show: Sobriety isn't the end of the party — it's just the start of a better one. Hosted by Alysse Bryson (media executive, 20 years sober, sobriety's ultimate hype woman) and co-host + producer Tamar Routly, The Sober Curator Podcast delivers bold convos, pop culture deep dives, and zero-proof living that doesn't suck. Whether you're sober, sober-curious, or just looking for good vibes without the hangover — you're in the right place. Subscribe now. Getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more.
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