SOBER CURIOUS IN SALT LAKE CITY
Photos by Jackelin Slack
A new year is upon us, which means new goals and resolutions for 2023. Health and wellness are often at the top of people’s new year’s resolutions and this year more people are focusing on less alcohol.
While dry January has been a popular trend for years, more people than ever are extending the non-alcoholic lifestyle. The sober curious movement has taken off around the country and Salt Lake City is no exception.
Since this movement is gathering more ground and moving beyond a trend, we were curious to learn more. So, we reached out to our new friends at Curiosity in SLC to get all the details on what it means to be sober curious in Salt Lake City. Moreover, how to socialize sans alcohol!
Sober Curious Movement SLC
New to learning about the sober curious movement in SLC we caught up with a local expert, Raegan Plewe. Raegan is the co-owner of Curiosity, a zero-proof bottle shop & bar near downtown Salt Lake City. Reagan owns Curiosity with another Salt Lake local, Erica Bruin. And no, neither of them is Mormon (but, it’s cool if you are!).
Raegan says that people are often confused when they hear she owns a non-alcoholic bar. Are you Mormon? Are you an alcoholic?
These are the two questions that she and Erica often encounter when discussing their business. Because, in a world where alcohol has been a regular part of the social culture for centuries, why would you create a bar without any alcohol?
Meet the Owners of Curiosity
Photos by Jackelin Slack
Just like choosing to drink alcohol is a personal choice, so is exploring life with less alcohol. While Erica and Raegan are not against drinking, they each found themselves interested in exploring a sober curious lifestyle.
Raegan has always loved the ritual of cocktail making. However, as she began to focus more on her health and meditation, she found that while she loved the ritual she felt there was something missing in the social aspect.
She felt there was a lack of connection in the conversations she was having when drinking traditional cocktails. Moreover, she observed a lack of intention in the conversations and connections between people while drinking.
As an apothecary with experience in herbalism, Erica found herself interested in the health benefits of a sober curious lifestyle. During her own journey, she introduced Raegan to non-alcoholic spirits.
This introduction to non-alcoholic spirits set the idea for Curiosity in motion. Wanting to provide Salt Lake City with easy access to zero-proof wine, beer, and mixers, Curiosity was originally established as a bottle shop to sell non-alcoholic spirits.
However, knowing that part of cocktail culture is the social aspect, Raegan and Erica decided to add a full-service zero-proof bar. Creating the perfect spot to enjoy the social aspect of going to a bar, without needing to drink alcohol.
Why create an Alcohol-Free Bar in SLC?
Photos by Jackelin Slack
While chatting with Raegan, she shared that one of the reasons she wanted to open Curiosity was to create a space to “neutralized the polarity of drinking in Utah.”
Having grown up in Salt Lake City and experienced both sides of the spectrum in regard to drinking in Utah, I know exactly what she means about the polarizing ideas of drinking in Utah.
The simple fact is that Utah is unique when it comes to alcohol. And whether you have lived in Utah your whole life or are new to the city you have probably experienced the polarity that Raegan is talking about.
However, there is no reason for this polarity, and we love that the team at Curiosity is creating a middle space - an alcohol-free bar in Salt Lake City where everyone can come.
Sober Curious Definition
Just because Curiosity is an alcohol-free bar does not mean you have to be someone who never drinks alcohol to enjoy it. Just the opposite!
As the name says, it is a place to get curious. Being sober curious does not mean you never drink alcohol. Instead, it is simply an invitation to explore what you want your relationship with drinking to be.
So, whether you never drink alcohol or regularly enjoy a nightly cocktail, there is space for you at Curiosity. Even more importantly, there is no judgment. It is simply a place to get curious!
A place to get curious about exploring your relationship with alcohol.
A place to get curious about what it looks like to socialize without alcohol.
A place to get curious about your community and how to make connections in an intentional way.
All while still enjoying the fun of exploring new flavors and fun drinks!
This is what being sober curious looks like and this is why Raegan and Erica started Curiosity.
Sober Curious Community
Photos by Jackelin Slack
Community is an important part of the Curiosity concept. Therefore, Raegan and Erica want the bar to be a space where people can explore being sober curious alone or in social situations.
At Curiosity, you can come by yourself and strike up a conversation with a stranger who is also learning about the sober curious community.
If you are not used to going out by yourself, take a seat at the bar. Here you may find an opportunity to chat with Raegan, Erica, or the rest of the Curiosity crew. In addition, you will enjoy seeing the artistry of each cocktail being made. A wonderful reminder that the creativity of cocktail-making does not rely on alcohol.
While you may choose to explore the sober curious community on your own, you can also bring your friends along. Curiosity is the perfect spot for a night out with friends or for a date. With a night out at Curiosity, you get to enjoy the social aspect of going to a bar, with the added benefit of more intentional and thoughtful conversations.
The Sober Curious Lifestyle
Photos by Jackelin Slack
If you are ready to explore the sober curious lifestyle, then head to Curiosity at 145 East 900 South in Salt Lake City. The shop is open from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday. Enjoy a handcrafted cocktail after work, a late-night drink, or even a drink on your lunch break.
In addition to drinking there, the shop sells a wide selection of zero-proof spirits you can purchase for home. From non-alcohol wine and beer to locally owned zero-proof mixers by Drømme, there is a zero-proof spirit for any occasion. Curiosity also offers a wide selection of coffees from around the world.
To further support the local community in exploring a sober curious lifestyle, Curiosity also hosts regular events throughout the year. Two regular events they host are Tarot nights and Poetry nights. These are great opportunities to connect with new people in Salt Lake City.
Check the Curiosity website and follow them on IG to learn more about their upcoming events.
Curious Conversations and Cocktails
While we have not officially joined the sober curious movement in Salt Lake City, we are definitely more curious now! We loved the opportunity to sit down and chat with Raegan at Curiosity. In fact, we enjoyed it so much that we thought you would enjoy it as well!
Therefore, we are excited to announce that Salt Lake Days and Curiosity are partnering to bring Salt Lake City a new event focused on connection, conversation, and cocktails!
If you are ready to meet new people in the community and chat over delicious zero-proof cocktails, make sure to follow us on IG and sign up for our newsletter. These events will be limited to less than 20 people each month, so you do not want to miss out.
Until then, head on down to Curiosity and say hello to Raegan and Erica!
