For Gen Z, the long lines, crammed spaces and hangovers are not the quintessential idea of a rave anymore. Like many other things, they are now partying differently. Raves are no longer just about listening to electronic music while sipping cocktails late into the night. The younger generation is ditching alcohol and replacing it with caffeine. Coffee raves are slowly gaining popularity, indicating that Gen Z is opting for an espresso buzz over a post-party crash. What made them shift? Well, wellness is the new flex for this no-hangover crew.
What is a coffee rave?
The United Kingdom’s acid house movement gave birth to raves in the 1980s. Some underground, and others in clubs – raves became a global phenomenon. Since then, these parties have evolved drastically. Electronic dance music like house, techno, trance, and dubstep became popular. EDM festivals like Tomorrowland in Belgium, Ultra Music Festival in Miami, and EDC Las Vegas became a thing. Soon, the music scene got stereotyped as wild and linked to substance use. The wellness-focused individuals did not like that. They wanted to party too, but sans alcohol. “Raving with intention” became a concept. People tried to find new ways to mingle with friends, have fun, party till the sun comes up and go home feeling good. The answer was coffee raves.
Shaken not stirred
A lot of people started asking if alcohol was really needed to have fun or to party. The answer increasingly became no. The idea of mixing cold brews, matcha and mushroom lattes with EDM sounded fun. In cities like New York, LA, Bangkok and Mumbai, more and more individuals started experimenting with the concept of sober parties, which was embraced wholeheartedly. Today, coffee raves are happening all over the world and people are attending them in huge numbers.
Why do these raves work?
Coffee raves are redefining the concept of “going out.” These daylight parties that usually happen mid-morning or early evening have the same vibe, the same kind of music and the same atmosphere. The DJ spins electronic music and the bar menu consists of artisanal coffees. The best part is that at the end of the party, you are not feeling drained and dizzy. It is all about fun and making new friends, which works for sober-curious people.
Another reason why Gen Z is so anti-alcohol is that they grew up seeing millennials recuperate from the burnout culture. Mental health is not just a discussion; it is a practice. From tracking one’s sleep to caring about gut health, Gen Z is very particular about what they are putting into their bodies. Alcohol doesn’t fit the aesthetics.
Money is another important aspect. Alcoholic drinks can cost up to $15 or more if you are visiting a good club. One good night of partying can really shake up your budget. Whereas coffee can cost you way less. Affordability merged with the concept of “not having to recover” the next day hits right, and hence, coffee raves sound more enticing to the public.
Sober-curious environments tend to feel more unassailable. People are there to just enjoy the vibes and not impress anyone. The awkward conversations that you have with that one person after a few drinks? Coffee raves remove the possibility of that as well. You do not lose your belongings, no one fights and everyone leaves with a smile on their face. What better way to party, right?
It’s more than just coffee
The sober parties are not just limited to coffee raves. Special mocktail bars are opening up everywhere. People are buying more and more zero-proof spirits. In nightlife-heavy cities, day parties and brunch raves are taking over and it is fun because you are not being pressured to drink to have fun.
Is this it for alcohol?
While most people from the younger generation are exploring sobriety, many still drink. They are just drinking differently from millennials. Studies suggest that they drink about 20% less than millennials. For Gen Z, partying is about creative settings where they can have real conversations. It’s about enjoyment that doesn’t come with a price tag of guilt and coffee raves are just one way to do it.
