Gen Z behind push for sober dating venues

They’re the generation behind “rat girl summer” and “everything showers” but now Gen Z are behind a push for “no-lo courting”.

A big shift is coming in how Gen Z tackles drinking, and it’s having a huge flow-on effect on their dating lives.

Research commissioned by Angostura Bitters showed two in five Aussie singles identify as “no-lo” drinkers, which means they opt for no or low alcohol options.

This is a huge shift from the Australian drinking culture, which has become known around the world.

The younger generation are taking charge on the trend, as they have done with so many others, with Gen Z twice as likely to say they don’t drink.

Milennials, on the other hand, sit at 15 per cent of the generation stating they don’t drink.

Gen Z pushing sober dating trend. Picture: iStock

The sober trend has led to nearly half the two generations saying they’d be more inclined to date someone if they indicated their drinking preferences beforehand.

More than half also said they find it more attractive when people are transparent about their no-lo status and confident in themselves.

Additionally, over half of no-lo drinkers said they would be more likely to find a potential match if their date was also a no-lo drinker.

This has sparked the “No-lo Courting” trend, which builds on the factors of common ground and confidence around sobriety.

The trend has highlighted the need for alternative first date venues, with almost two thirds of no-lo drinkers avoiding traditional first date venues such as the pub.

Angostura Bitters commissioned the research. Picture: Instagram

Research also indicated that one in four opt for lemon, lime and bitters as their no-lo drink of choice.

The need for alternative venues has led Angostura Bitters to create the A Date with Angostura Bitters, which is open for one night only on September 6 at Sydney’s popular Chin Chin restaurant.

The night is intended to encourage an easier date spot for no-lo drinkers, infusing the bitters into non-alcoholic cocktails to be paired with food curated by executive chef Benjamin Cooper.