While going to Wetherspoons and hitting your local student club is a classic for many societies, hosting regular sober socials is a great way to get to know fellow members better, keep your society inclusive and of course avoid a hangover on Sunday morning. If you are taking up a position as social secretary next year, these creative sober social ideas are the perfect way to keep socials fresh and accessible.
Soft play centre
This year I attended a social with the University of Birmingham Climbing Society to ‘Go Kids Go’, a local soft play centre. It was undoubtedly my favourite University social so far. From a pacy relay race through the centre, to a hilariously aggressive balloon popping game, I enjoyed a chaotic evening nurturing my inner child. Whether you book out a local soft play area or visit a trampoline park, a fun and active trip is a great alternative for going out drinking.
Pottery
Most cities have a local café where you can paint or mould clay or pottery creations and enjoy coffee and cake. This wholesome social idea is sure to wake up your creative side and get the conversation flowing between society members.
Movie night
If you are looking for an affordable easy to organise sober social, you can’t go wrong with a classic movie night. Whether you host at your house or book out a room on campus, simply grab some popcorn, post a poll on Instagram to gage what your members fancy watching, and relax. During exam season with Birmingham University Roller-skating society, we had a fab chilled social watching Disney’s ‘Whip It’, a film about roller derby.
Roller disco
Featured in recent Stranger Things and Euphoria episodes, retro roller discos are on the rise in 2022. Grab some funky shorts and leg warmers and jam to some 80s classics at your local rink. Alternatively, wrap up warm and head to an ice rink, especially if your city has a pop up one over the Christmas season.
Board game night
Whether you head to a board game café or invite members to bring their own games round to somebody’s house, get some competitive spirit rolling with a board games evening. From Monopoly to Twister, you can be as serious or silly as you like.