Break From The Booze: Go “Colorado Sober”
Trying to cut back on beers and cocktails but don’t want to eliminate the elevated vibes associated with letting loose during happy hour? Maybe it’s time to go “Colorado Sober” and replace the margaritas with alternatives that swap the bubbles for something a little more earthy.
Explore some nonalcoholic options that don’t quite reach the hard line of straight-edge—There are many elixirs that can light up the night and don’t come in the fermented, fizzy variety.
With the World Health Organization coming out with the not-so-fun proclamation that there is no safe amount of consumption for the toxic, psychoactive, and dependence-producing substance known as alcohol, maybe it time to branch out into some other forms of highs.
Blaze Over Beer
If you want to relax without the booze buzz, the devil’s lettuce can offer the dopamine hit without the poisonous punch. Whether you want to smoke at home while baking a five-cheese pizza or get out of the house to socialize, there are plenty of opportunities to get stoned while out on the town.
The Coffee Joint invites guests to meet new people and enjoy a toke in Denver’s first consumption lounge. Enjoy the less-than-sober painting class Tokes and Broadstokes every Saturday. Sundays you can bring your THC of choice and a vaporizer (no open flames) and earn bragging rights at their weekly Super Smash Bros Tournament.
If you need to align your body with your brain, maybe it is time to attend Elevated Yoga at the Urban Sanctuary Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. Bring your own plant medicine to combust while you give your spine and shoulders some well needed attention.
Weed and art more of your perfect vibe? Well in that case, hop on a cannabis-friendly bus, and enjoy the RiNo Murals Tour on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
And, as always, you can draw the blinds and have a nice night in with your preferred choice of THC. Find a snuggle buddy, and check out All of Us Strangers while enjoying a joint, dab, or brownie. Or make pizza from scratch, laying out oregano and loading your bong with something a bit more potent. While it may not have the kick of tequila, a little bit of bud with a buddy can produce a similar night to remember without the nasty hangover.
Social Drinking at Dry Bars
If weed is not your scene, maybe it’s time to get back to socializing by hitting the dry bar and chilling out with some kava. Kava bars are popping up all over Colorado, and the plant is making headway as an alternative to alcohol.
Kava and kratom have been used in traditional medicine and cultural practices in the Pacific Islands for centuries, offering consumers an alternate high that aligns the body and mind.
Kava and kratom have a euphoric effect giving consumers an energy booster, mood enhancer, and pain reliever, all while being an alternative to alcohol. The social pressure of drinking (especially in the bar scene) can be challenging for anyone, but particularly for people in recovery. Establishments serving kava and kratom can offer a social space for connecting without the looming pressure of alcohol.
Colorado has liberal laws surrounding the plant, and the plethora of kava bars in the state offer a space for social drinking, without the spirits. And the movement is likely to continue to expand across the country and offer people a new take on the social “drinking” experience.
If you’re located in Denver, you can check out the Kavasutra Kava Bar located on East Colfax and enter an intoxication of a nonalcoholic variety. Their blends are earthy, carrying a unique and memorable taste—and while the flavor is not everyone’s cup of tea, the mood-enhancing effects elevate a night on the town quite well.
Kicking alcohol or even cutting back can help clear your head and improve your health. From improving your heart health, liver function, and evening supporting a healthy libido, turning down the glass of wine can make a big difference in your day-to-day life. Not everyone wants to start a total sober journey—and that’s more than ok.
If you want to trash the can of Coors, it may be time to consider the world of alternatives to give you the kick or relaxation you need. But do remember, moderation is the best policy to safely enjoy anything—especially in relation to mind-altering substances.
by Anna Lee
