In 2015, I chose to take a year-long break from alcohol, recognizing that my dependence was negatively impacting my life. As a bartender from the age of 20, I had developed a heavy drinking habit, believing it was essential to my image and success in the industry. This dependency was also a way to cope with my internal struggles, despite knowing deep down that it was gradually destroying my life, though it wasn’t always apparent.

After about nine months of living without alcohol, I realized that my fears about quitting were unfounded. I found that I was becoming a better father, coworker, friend, and person overall. This realization led me to decide to quit drinking permanently, as it felt like the best choice for my well-being.

However, I soon became aware of the lack of options for non-drinkers in bars and restaurants and the difficulty many of my colleagues and friends had with the idea of a sober bartender. I was advised to consider a career change due to concerns about being around alcohol at work, falling off the wagon, or not being able to create balanced cocktails. Some even suggested I would be seen as a fraud.

I’ve long felt that everyone should have a seat at the bar, regardless of their choice to drink or not. Non-alcoholic beverages should be as varied and appealing as their alcoholic counterparts, and those who choose to abstain should be treated with respect and inclusivity. For those who are sober-curious, there should be low ABV options that satisfy the desire for a cocktail without compromising one’s well-being.

I believe that everyone’s relationship with alcohol is unique, and there is no universal solution. It’s crucial for bars and bartenders to offer a comfortable and welcoming environment where individuals can make their own choices about alcohol.