Americans are raising a glass (of sparkling water) to the new trend: dry dating. The dry dating movement ditches alcohol and focuses on creating sober connections.
We surveyed millennials and Gen Zers from across the country to learn more about their evolving preferences for alcohol-free dates. When it comes to dating and alcohol, 23% of young adults said they have felt pressured to drink alcohol on a date, even if they didn’t want to. This may be why nearly 2 in 3 (65%) survey respondents say they would prefer a dry date over a date involving alcohol.
Young Americans Rethink Alcohol’s Role in Dating
Among millennials and Gen Zers surveyed, 54% say they have dry dated. In 2024, more than half (56%) say they are trying to drink less on dates. In fact, 81% say they have already been on a date this year where neither person drank. The top reasons for not drinking alcohol on dates include health reasons, the type of date, and the cost of alcohol.
Nearly 3 in 4 (73%) millennials and Gen Zers surveyed say they’re saving money by skipping the alcohol while dating, with the average person saving $88 per month.
The movement is growing as 63% of young adults say they are more likely to go on a dry date in 2024 than they were in 2023. More than 4 in 5 young adults say they have gone on dry dates in 2024.
In fact, 1 in 5 have gone to a sober bar — places that serve nonalcoholic cocktails and beverages — for a date. Among those who haven’t dry dated, 75% said they would be willing to try it.
The Motivations Behind America’s Dry Dating Movement
The majority of young adults (87%) in the survey agree dry dating is a healthier approach to forming romantic relationships. This may be because 68% say their connection with a date was stronger when alcohol wasn’t involved. The impact of alcohol-free dates? Respondents say more focused conversation and better connections.
The majority (89%) of millennials and Gen Zers believe society should normalize dry dating. Additionally, 1 in 5 say it’s very important for them and their partner to share similar views on alcohol consumption.
Despite the growing interest in dry dating, it isn’t met without some challenges. A quarter of respondents think dry dating will make going on dates harder and 16% admit they feel like they need alcohol to get through a first date.
Millennials and Gen Z’s Changing Relationship With Alcohol
The relationship between young adults and alcohol is changing: 58% of respondents say they have heard of the sober-curious movement and 1 in 3 don’t drink alcohol at all. The top reasons why they don’t drink include simply not wanting to, physical health, and finding the taste unappealing. More than half of millennials and Gen Zers (59%) have tried mocktails or non-alcoholic cocktails. Among them, 49% said they prefer mocktails over alcoholic drinks.
Young adults are redefining dating norms and reevaluating their relationship with alcohol. Whether it’s by keeping a closer eye on how much alcohol they consume or cutting it out entirely, there’s a whole new world of alcohol-free drinks and mocktails to explore.
Methodology
In April 2024, we surveyed 1,007 millennials (aged 28-43) and Gen Zers (aged 21-27) from across the U.S. Forty-eight percent of respondents identified as women, 50% as men, and 2% nonbinary.
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