Alcohol-free parties gain ground in Miami, pushing bars to adapt
In Miami, more young people are partying without alcohol, and restaurants are already adapting to this new kind of customer.
Key points
- "Morning parties" without alcohol have spread in Miami in recent months.
- According to Gallup, only 54% of Americans say they drink, the lowest level since 1939.
- According to Gallup, 17% of Americans drank alcohol-free versions of beer or wine in the past year.
- Restaurants in Little Havana have created alcohol-free cocktail menus.
A new kind of party is gaining ground in Miami, one with no alcohol. These "morning parties" combine exercise in the early hours with dancing in a club-like atmosphere, in broad daylight. According to EFE, such events have grown in recent months in a city known for its nightlife.
Venezuelan Yohana Vargas, creator of Run & Coffee Party, says the trend reflects a growing concern for health and well-being. Her event mixes fitness sessions with music in a club-like atmosphere, and she says the crowd has responded well even though no liquor is served.
The shift is not only local. According to the pollster Gallup, only 54% of Americans say they drink alcohol, the lowest share since the question was first asked in 1939, and the decline is sharpest among people under 35.
Several young people interviewed say they prefer this lifestyle. Andrea Suárez, 31, says she no longer goes out at night or drinks, and that this helps her avoid hangovers. Sebastián González, 22, says he tries to strike a balance between partying and not overdoing it.
Restaurants are adapting too. Eliesteban Mena, who runs restaurants in Little Havana, says he had to create a section of alcohol-free cocktails, with presentation and decoration, to meet demand from younger generations. According to Gallup, 17% of Americans have tried alcohol-free versions of beer, wine, or other drinks in the past year.