For a period of time between 2016-2023 I hung out at bars a lot. I had to give up alcohol for health reasons (it’s not healthy!) and honestly I don’t miss it like I thought I would. It wasn’t about drinking per se but the environment and talking to people. You can still go to a bar and drink non-alcoholic beverages but I don’t really do that as much either. I’m back to cafes instead–just a book, laptop and myself.

www.nytimes.com/2026/08/0…

Jason Gooljar @jasongooljar