Have you ever been sober on a night out when your friends are more than a little worse for wear? How about when everyone is consuming their fourth sambuca shot whilst you’re still sipping your first glass of Coca Cola? Usually, I would never entertain the idea of a night of sobriety but for the purpose of this article, yes a night without alcohol is classed as research, I thought I would take one for the team and experience firsthand what a night on the town is like without my good friend vodka.
I’m not an alcoholic by any means but I found the biggest problem of my night was the temptation and longing to join in with everyone, as whilst your friends’ spirits (excuse the pun) are not so quietly soaring, yours are situated at the bottom of your non-alcoholic beverage. Also, enduring the process of others pre-drinking and the marrying combination of applying make up, styling your hair, and selecting an outfit whilst they’re sipping your favourite drink, can take its toll on anyone’s mood before heading out and into a taxi, or in my case, my car as I found myself as the designated driver for the evening.
On the way to our first drinking destination of the night, my friends attempted their best Mariah Carey impressions much to my ears disgust. It appears demanding songs off the driver, and singing along as if you’re in an X Factor audition came hand in hand with the journey into the city centre. Probably not a sober person’s ideal way to travel, but from my experience I say embrace it, especially when you’re the driver and in control of what songs are played. That being said, picking songs with low key notes are a must. Also, acting as a taxi driver for the night does have its perks. The ability to leave whenever you wish, as well as your passengers chipping in for petrol money paying for your soft drinks, making the night out friendly on your purse strings.
Although, speaking from experience, if you are driving home friends who have consumed more alcohol in one evening than Phil Mitchell at a brewery, then I advise sick bags. Standard supermarket carrier bags will do, but please check for holes at the bottom of the bag as I doubt you will be able to charge the standard £75 soiling charge like local taxi firms do.
Hitting the dance floor without a bit of Dutch courage was a strange experience at first. However, once you’ve realized that your friend’s body poppin’ moves, which would look more at home in a Cheeky Girl video, make you look like Beyonce your confidence suddenly sky rockets.
The night also provided endless humorous anecdotes which will have my friends squirming all the way up to graduation and beyond, as well as I was able to revel in the fact that I didn’t wake up with the dryness of the Sahara in my mouth, and a longing for rehydration. I welcomed hearing everyone’s drunken, although slightly slurred, conversations and the occasional confession of a few secrets which are unearthed after hours of drinking. It worked as brilliant leverage for skipping the next round of household chores. Although, my personal highlight was waking the next morning to a clear head and the ability to function properly while everyone else was suffering in bed.
Overall, I confess that the night was not as bad as I had anticipated. Remember, being with your friends, enjoying the music, and feeling comfortable in your surroundings are key to having a good night, and it is not the consumption of alcohol. Although, I must admit, I wouldn’t fancy a t-total night at the Carleton.
