What we’re about
Welcome to "The Best Part of Alcohol-Free Living!" A community for anyone seeking connection, fun, and good company, without the booze!
Whether you're sober-curious, newly alcohol-free, or years into your journey, you’re welcome here. You don’t need a rock-bottom moment to explore life without alcohol. Millions of people are waking up to the insidious effects alcohol has on our health, relationships, motivation, and potential. It’s time we all normalize choosing not to drink.
Even though more and more people are ditching alcohol, the hardest part of living alcohol-free is often going against the grain of our culture. From happy hours to live music, and backyard BBQs, alcohol is everywhere—even at "family-friendly" events.
This group was created by someone (hi, I’m Melanie 👋🏼), a 47-year-old introverted, highly sensitive human navigating life alcohol-free in Ann Arbor. I’ve looked for a local AF community that isn’t rooted in powerlessness, rehab, or recovery, and couldn’t find it. So, I decided to create a community grounded in freedom, choice, and self-love instead. (And yes, if you’re in AA or recovery, you are absolutely welcome here too!)
Here are some ideas:
✅ Take a stroll through the Arb
✅ Take a cooking class a Sur Le Tab
✅ Sourdough bread making class @ Zingerman’s
✅ Take swing dance lessons in Ypsi.
✅ Yoga class
✅ Run hill sprints at Vets Park
✅ Coffee at Dozer
✅ Enter Warrior Dash or Race together
✅ Try a new restaurant downtown
✅ Meet for a book club
✅ Ideas welcome!
This isn’t necessarily a support group for sobriety, but community is the #1 protective factor in maintaining your goals! So, if it's your goal to try alcohol free living, please join us!
✨ Come as you are. Bring your curiosity, your commitment, and courage to try something new, and maybe your favorite alcohol-free drink. 😄
Upcoming events
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Theatre NOVA presents: DRY SUMMER
Theatre Nova, 410 West Huron Street, Ann Arbor, MI, USThis looks like a special Ann Arbor event that directly supports the conversation around sobriety and alcohol-free living.
We had to reschedule this showing because the actor was sick and cancelled. 4 of us are rescheduled 11/7 @ 8pm in Row D1-D4. It's a tiny venue so grab a seat where you can.
🎟️ Learn more here: Theatre NOVA — Current Show
📍 Location: Theatre NOVA, 410 W Huron St, Ann Arbor (also the Greenroom Church)
💬 Plan: Meet before the show for a quick hello, and let's walk over to Fleetwood Diner (on Ashley) to hang out and chat about the show (if anyone is interested).Showtimes are
Fridays 8pm
Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm
Sundays 2pm
Tickets: $30 general*
$25 for 65 and over
$15 for students with ID4 attendees
Meet & Greet + Book Club Ideas
Mallett's Creek Library , 3090 E Eisenhower Pkwy, Ann Arbor, MI, USLet’s gather in-person for a casual Sober & Social Meet & Greet and discuss starting a Book Club!
Come out to meet like-minded neighbors who are exploring or already living alcohol-free, and who want to keep learning, growing, and connecting in meaningful ways.
I booked the River Birch Room @ Malletts Creek Library to chat about what kind of reading experience we want to create together.
Here are a few book ideas to get us started (but I’m open to suggestions!):
📘 "The Let Them Theory" — Mel Robbins (personal growth & boundaries)
📗 "Culpability" — Bruce Holsinger (fiction exploring moral choice, AI)
📙 "A New Earth" — Eckhart Tolle (spiritual awakening & ego awareness)
📕 "The Covenant of Water" — Abraham Verghese (multi-generational story of tragedy, legacy, and healing)Location: Malletts Creek Library (Meeting Room)
Date & Time: Saturday 11/8/25 @ 3:00
Please RSVP5 attendees
Past events
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