Here’s me enjoying a delightful glass of non-alc bubbles in my local (this did not happen overnight or by accident). Read the case study HERE.
As much as we’d like, hospitality providers are not mind readers and alcohol has dominated our culture for far too long. Whilst some are excelling, the majority are not reading the room, they don’t see the growth in the alcohol free space.
It is up to us, the consumer to ask for change and show the demand.
It can feel a whole lot of awkward to ask for something that’s not on the menu. But if we don’t ask, the “there’s no demand” rhetoric will stick.
So here are my top tips:
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I go NOWHERE these days without doing my research. Turning up and hoping for the best is too much of an emotional rollercoaster, so it’s best to be prepared. Jump online, suss out the drinks list, if you can’t find one, ASK.
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If they have options you’re happy with, GREAT. Enjoy! If not, reach out any which way you are comfortable, DM, email, phone, carrier pigeon or face-to-face.
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Let them know you’re coming, ask for a better solution (examples I’ve gone with below… cut and paste to your heart’s content).
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If you’re not happy with the outcome, decide if you can live with it. There’s nothing worse than sulking through a meal (I’ve learnt that the hard way). Either choose a different venue or suck it up and sit on your soda water.