Guides · Not drinking
Not drinking · 4 min read · updated 2026-10-09

Meeting people when you don't drink.

Social life in most cities is still organised around alcohol, and a growing share of adults don't drink. Here is how to have a full social life anyway — without making it a thing.

You're in good company

Roughly a third of adults in the UK, Germany and the United States say they don't drink or drink rarely, and among people under 30 the share is higher and rising. In the Gulf not drinking is the default. Yet in most cities the easy social formats — after-work drinks, the long night out — still assume a glass in your hand, and sober people end up either explaining themselves or staying home.

What works

Early evenings rather than late ones. One or two people rather than a crowd. Venues that take non-alcoholic drinks seriously — a proper 0.0 beer, a mocktail that isn't juice, good coffee late — so that what's in your glass is simply what you ordered. And a social format where your choice is invisible unless you want to talk about it.

How BUDMO handles it

One tap marks you as not drinking tonight. It never changes who you're matched with and the other person doesn't see it as a flag. Every partner venue agrees to keep a quality non-alcoholic option on the menu at a fair price during BUDMO hours — it's the only requirement we put on venues. Your deposit becomes venue credit at check-in and spends on anything, so your coffee or your 0.0 is already covered. Evenings run 18:00 to 22:30. BUDMO never promotes alcohol; the venue is picked for being a good place to talk.

Join the waitlist

We'll message you the day BUDMO opens where you are. Waitlist members get the first invitations.

Questions

Short answers.

Will I be matched only with other non-drinkers?

No — unless you ask. Not drinking is a preference, not a filter, and most people who drink are perfectly happy to sit with someone who doesn't.

Are the venues bars?

Some are; many are cafés, listening bars, bookshop bars, food halls and lounges. In cities like Riyadh every venue is alcohol-free.

Is BUDMO for people in recovery?

BUDMO is for anyone who wants one good conversation. We don't ask why you're not drinking and we never will.

More guides

Keep reading.