The trend of sober dating, also called “dry dating,” is rising in popularity among young singles everywhere. For those following a Christian path, this is exciting news, as the Bible warns against the overconsumption of alcohol and drunkenness. Dry dating is a new experience that many are trying, where people go on dates without drinking any alcohol. This is a breath of fresh air in a world that can seem centered on partaking in joyful libations.
The Bible doesn’t condemn alcohol; everyone knows how Jesus turned water into wine. The Bible depicts the story in the Gospel of John, where Jesus attends a wedding in Cana and performs his first great miracle. It is then that He reveals His glory and initiates the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation. The act shows that Jesus can transform ordinary things into something extraordinary. Wine plays an important role in the ritual of communion, too, as we consume the body and blood of Christ. There’s no denying that alcohol has its place in Christianity. However, the book of Ephesians warns against overindulgence.
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” –Ephesians 5:18.
This is key for those looking to uphold Biblical principles and partake in a journey of intentional dating. Sober dating (or dry dating) is an excellent way to incorporate this into your story of finding extraordinary love romantically and in God’s light.
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”–Proverbs 20:1.
At Christian Mingle, we’re responsible for bringing together more marriages than any other faith-centered dating website. We use a unique algorithm to match you with the most compatible online singles, enabling you to find a partner who shares in God’s delight. Today, we’re here to discuss dry dating in the Christian sense.
Keep reading to learn more about dry dating and the roots of the sober-curious movement, and get the best alcohol-free date night ideas. Join Christian Mingle today to find other Christ-centered singles near you.
What Is Dry Dating?
Dry dating is also called sober dating. It’s a trend where singles engage in the dating scene without consuming any alcohol. That means no pre-gaming before you meet up with your partner and no drinking during the date. Forgo those glasses of wine over dinner in favor of mocktails, sparkling water, or a crisp soft drink.
People choose dry dating for various reasons. Some like the money-saving aspect, while others feel that going alcohol-free allows them to be their true selves. There are countless health benefits to staying sober, and some people say that it helps them determine if their potential partner is a great match more quickly. Without the dulled senses that come with being drunk, you can stay more in tune with your emotions and date with better clarity. If you’re looking for other Christian singles who are into intentional dating for the sake of marriage, this can be a huge bonus.
About the Sober-Curious Movement
The sober-curious movement encourages people to be more mindful about their alcohol consumption and the impact that drinking has on their lives. In contrast to people who choose to go totally sober, the sober-curious cut back on alcohol without completely giving it up. They begin to consider when, how much, and why they drink.
It’s not a secret that alcohol is tightly woven into our society’s behavior and expectations. Date nights, sporting events, hang sessions with friends, celebrations, and even times of sorrow are often centered around drinking. Instead, the sober-curious may designate certain times to drink and others to remain alcohol-free. Dry dating is a common trend, where single people abstain from alcohol while getting to know their partner.
Dry dating and the greater sober-curious movement are particularly popular among the younger generations. Millennials and Gen Z are the most likely to participate in sober dating as they embrace the trend. The practice is appealing to those who want to improve their health, build meaningful relationships, save money, and think more clearly.
Alcohol’s Impact On Authentic Connections
Many people who have overindulged in alcohol at one time or another have an embarrassing story to tell. Maybe you got sick in public, said something you didn’t mean to or chose to go further with a romantic interest than you would have if you were sober. All of these things can negatively impact your ability to build authentic connections.
When people consume too much alcohol, they can get overly silly, inadvertently mean, or say things that are out of character. It happens to the best of us. Dry dating allows you to avoid all these pitfalls and instead communicate as you truly are.
Drinking often leads to lowered inhibitions, which in turn causes more impulsive decision-making. It gives the illusion of creating a close connection without the actual substance. However, these connections might be more about the shared experience of drinking than about authentic, meaningful exchanges.
Additionally, alcohol can impair judgment and clarity of thought. This may lead to an increase in miscommunication or misunderstanding. It can harm genuine connection if one person feels like they’re not being fully understood or respected. For all these reasons, sober dating can be an excellent thing to try.
Alcohol-Free Date Ideas
Everyone is familiar with the classic date night idea of dinner and some drinks. Often, people choose to meet new partners at a bar, as alcohol can help them to loosen up and feel more confident. With dry dating, this layer of illusion falls away entirely, allowing you to be your authentic self right from the start.
Here are our favorite alcohol-free date ideas:
Attend a worship service together.
Volunteer at a church event or for a local cause.
Attend a couples Bible study.
Explore a museum.
Take an art or cooking class.
Play mini golf.
Go bowling.
Get ice cream.
Check out a concert.
Go to an escape room.
Try axe throwing or a high ropes course.
Indoor rock climbing.
Plan a picnic.
Go to the movies.
Visit a farmer’s market or indoor food terminal.
Go hiking or visit the beach.
Host a game night with friends.
Get coffee.
Go to a Christian conference.
Have a Christian movie marathon.
Go to a prayer group.
Watch a virtual Christian talk.
Go yard sale hopping.
Go to a local carnival or festival.
Sing karaoke.
Safety & Health Concerns with Alcohol On Dates
While saving money, getting to know someone’s authentic self, and trying something new are all fantastic reasons for sober dating, there are some very real safety and health concerns associated with consuming alcohol on dates. Awareness of these hazards and embracing sober dating can help avoid negative consequences.
Here are a few safety and health concerns associated with drinking alcohol on dates:
Impaired Judgement. Saying things you don’t mean, over-sharing personal details, or even engaging in risky behavior like physical intimacy too soon or without explicit consent can also happen with the impaired judgment that comes from alcohol.
Overconsumption. It’s easy to take things a drink or two too far, especially if one person feels pressured to keep up with another while drinking. Over-drinking can impair your motor skills, making it harder to navigate the environment safely, and may lead to embarrassing situations or accidents.
Heightened Emotions. Alcohol can intensify emotions, making you feel more vulnerable, excited, or even anxious. You might feel deeply connected after a couple of drinks, but that feeling could fade quickly the next day when the alcohol wears off.
Spiked Drinks. No one likes to think about something terrible happening to them, but the unfortunate reality is that spiked drinks do happen. Even if you trust your date entirely, there have been instances of strangers or even restaurant and bar employees spiking beverages.
Drunk Driving. You drove yourself to your date–how are you going to get home? Drinking during a date can lead to impaired decisions at the end of the night, like the choice to drive home intoxicated.
Creating Unhealthy Relationships. The early days set the tone for your entire relationship. Don’t base your connection on superficial, intoxicated experiences. Set clear expectations for acceptable behavior and build a relationship based on healthy habits, clear communication, and mutual respect.
Addiction Recovery & Dating
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), there are currently 20.9 million adults in recovery from substance abuse in the United States. Many of these individuals take part in a 12-step Recovery program like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. One of the cornerstones of these programs is finding God and practicing spirituality.
That means that if you’re in the Christian dating scene, you will encounter a person in recovery sooner or later. While 12-step programs encourage recovering alcoholics and addicts to abstain from relationships for the first year of sobriety, building meaningful and lasting relationships can be an important part of sobriety for many.
Navigating dating and relationships in recovery can be a complex thing. Forming healthy, meaningful relationships requires mindfulness, self-awareness, and careful consideration of emotional and physical needs, with sobriety always at the forefront.
Dry dating is often a new experience for people in recovery. We encourage everyone to go into it with an open mind. If you’re in recovery yourself, sober dating allows you to build more authentic connections. For those who are trying out sober dating but not in recovery, abstaining from alcohol in solidarity and understanding for others can be a beautiful thing.
Join Christian Mingle Today
Join Christian Mingle today and connect with like-minded singles who share your faith and values. Embrace sober dating and follow biblical principles in your romantic journey—build a Christ-centered relationship rooted in love and respect.