Zero Proof Experiences hosted its 3rd Sober in the City event in Austin, Texas, in November of 2022. The official check-in began at the Hyatt Place Hotel Friday afternoon, November 11th, 2022. Amidst thunder and lightning, volunteers set up shop to welcome the Sober in the City guests.
Friday Night Shenanigans
There were reunions and many new introductions as the group marched to Revolucion Coffee & Juice to listen to the Friday evening panel. The panel included: Victoria Towery, Beth Bown, and Cathy Charles. Thanks to Friday’s sponsors, Jeff Graham (@bac.2.zero) and Dry Drinkery (@dearatx). Grüvi (@getgruvi) showed up loud here, offering tastings of their Red Blend and Juicy IPA.
Field Trip to Sans Bar
Sans Bar is the first alcohol-free bar in the country, established in 2017 by the extraordinary mixologist Chris Marshall. Nearly 40 Sober in the City guests crowded into the bar to sample various nonalcohol cocktails.
“When you close your eyes, the sound should be like any other bar with the clinking, chatting, and live music,” Chris explained. The group sang their hearts out, doing karaoke and sipping on the Texas Sun NA Cocktail.
Take a Sober Hike!
Lauryn of @hikesoverhangovers lead a group of ladies on a beautiful city walk around Ladybird Lake.
Sober Happenings
Gina Tassone (@shiftwith_gina) hosted a coffee time gathering which really set the tone for a big day ahead. The Hyatt Place hotel offered us meeting space where yoga, (@themindfullifepractice) with Cathy Charles, rock painting with Geri Gipson, emotions about money discussing with Cass Grange and even journaling with Pamela Walsh.
For those of us heading off campus during the day, there was a Dopamine Disco Dance class with the adorable and talented @jenveltri. While we were all wowed by the fun vibe, Jen was pretty impressed with our enthusiasm, including tutus, ABBA wear, and disco classics.
Sober VIPS
The big event was Saturday night, and this group was dressed to impress. Around half of the crowd registered for the VIP experience and joined Amanda @amandakuda in the Zilker Lounge for an empowering discussion of social anxiety. There was a generous tasting of Joyus (@drinkjoyus) new release cabernet.
Happier Hour – Let’s Drink!
Chris Marshall talked about trends, tastings, and the forward movement happening in the NA beverage industry.
Specialty signature cocktails & mocktails started to flow, including:
- Grüvi Glow featuring @tenneyson and @getgruvi dry secco
- @escapemocktails Margarita with a splash of @allthebitter
- @cleanco gin + tonic
- @calenodrinks Columbian martini with a splash of @allthebitter
Or grab a can of sober!
If you didn’t want to line up at the bar, you could stop by the “ready to drink”
section to pick up a can or bottle of @h2opswater, @athleticbrewing,
@drinkcrispandcrude, and @sparklingbotanicals
Fine Cuisine
There were 150 of us meandering into the Ladybird room, where the tables were set. The lovely El Chili group began serving our entrees, including a wood-fired anchorite salmon and veggie Verde enchiladas. A delectable chicken dish was included in our family-style dining before Susie Streelman (@zeroproofexperiences) introduced our keynote speaker Jenn Kautsch, founder of @sobersis! The crowd laughed, nodded, clapped, and was
empowered by her words of encouragement and changing tides!
Texan R&R
Many guests returned to the Zilker lounge for a quiet coffee and dessert in their new Sober in the City souvenir cup. Thank you to our generous donor for providing these to each attendee!
There was also dancing thanks to Caliceaux Jack, aka Blake Lemon of @yachtdrops, mixing up some of our previous song requests. This was a highlight for the group! After dinner, guests had the option to grab another cocktail, get their groove on the dance floor, grab a coffee and chill with a new friend, check out your goodies and discounts in the swag bags, or
sit down, and people-watch.
Sunday morning brunch
Sunday morning was pretty quiet. The Hyatt Place featured an included breakfast bar each morning with groups large and small hanging out together. There was a lot of hugging and goodbyes throughout the day.
For those that could stay, 40 of us gathered around for a brunch to tie things up. Peggi Cooney shared a personal essay while Amanda Kuda shared a chapter of her upcoming book, “Unbottled Potential” which will release next October.
You can check out the next Zero Proof Experiences – Sober in the City retreat below!
Zero Proof Experiences, Sober in the City, Palm Springs (thesobercurator.com)
SOBRIETY IN THE CITY: Attention Sober in the City Instagram Account Managers
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.
