What's With the Rise of Sober Spaces?
Sober spaces are being championed by more and more events and venues these days, particularly those aimed at marginalised communities. We spoke to organisers to find out what’s behind this move.
Sober Space Pink Peacock
by Jack Howse
PLEASE NOTE: This article is from March 2023 and since then the Pink Peacock Café has closed. This article explores the importance of sober spaces and we are currently working on an up-to-date list of active sober spaces in the Southside for Dry January.
Last summer as the colourful explosion of Pride took over the city of Glasgow, one Southside fringe event took an unusual step. The ‘Sober Summer Sesh’ was held at the Glasgow Autonomous Space and hosted by QuTo, a solidarity network of queers who organise sober events in the city. It provided a space for those who wanted to come together after the march for food, dancing, entertainment in an alcohol free zone.
QuTo are part of a growing trend of community organisations that are creating temporary and permanent sober spaces centred around accessibility for marginalised communities. Another example is the Being Mixed Project. The project seeks to hold space for people of mixed heritage with events such as potlucks, t-shirt printing and poetry readings.
QuTo’s fundraiser at GAS
For project founder Aph Amezcua, the definition of a sober space is: “A space that is accessible to all people, making sure those who don’t want to be around alcohol feel welcomed and supported”. In a space where a mix of cultural identities are expressed, there are invariably a variety of cultural intricacies in regards to alcohol and drug use. For an event that is all about accessibility it seems the obvious and logical step to make it a sober space.
Pink Peacock ( די ראָזעווע פּאַװע), who describe themselves as a ‘queer, yiddish, anarchist, pay-what-you-can café’, is another alcohol-free space who spoke about their focus on accessibility. “A lot of people can't be in a space with alcohol – for example kids, people with religious obligations to not drink, people trying to stay sober or lessen their alcohol use, and people with bad experiences with alcohol”. The café prefers to call themselves a dry space because: “We know that some people still need a space that is alcohol free, even when they're drinking or using drugs outwith the space”.
Whilst these projects are not prejudiced against alcohol and drug use, it shouldn’t go unsaid that drug and alcohol misuse is often more prevelant in queer and othered communities. Studies of LGBTQ+ communities have found these groups are more likely to have dependency on alcohol and drugs compared to straight counterparts. Pink Peacock see this as a result of the systemic discrimination and health barriers that queer people can face.
QuTo recognises these barriers and encourages conversations around them to be a part of their events. Founder Georgios Pappas says: “We want people to gather in a physical environment where we can facilitate connections and conversations, especially in the queer scene where substance misuse is disproportionately higher”. Sober queer spaces act as a vital resource for queer people who might not otherwise be able to access these services to discuss struggles community members may face.
Being Mixed Project is not a specifically queer event although the attendees are a mix of identities. As Aph says: “It is not explicitly a POC space as due to the nature of the mixed experience, many peoples backgrounds are varied or people may be uncertain where they stand racially. In this respect, it is useful to have the events sober for the sharing of personal life experiences through creative practices or at a potluck, it may feel safer than in a space with alcohol.” By facilitating conversation from a sober standing point, people at the group can share as much or as little as they want to.
Socialising for many young people still very much centres around bar culture, and this can be particularly jarring for those with different cultural backgrounds. Aph says: “ I find that, especially within the UK, it is difficult to do anything in the evenings without having alcohol heavily involved.” This can also create financial barriers to inclusion due to the higher price of alcohol.
But there are seeds of change with sober spaces now popping up in Glasgow nightlife. Bonjour, a queer co-op bar on Saltmarket has been trialling ‘Sober Mondays’. Another regular night is Good Clean Fun, events that platform queer DJs and bring together people for a dance without any pressure to drink or do drugs.
In a recent survey run by QuTo, 95 percent of respondents said there was a need for more sober spaces in Glasgow. They are now actively seeking to set up a permanent sober space. From those we’ve spoken to, it seems like this is something we’re going to see more and more around the city.