I Don’t Drink: Sober Activities in London for Students

About the author: Hi, I’m Sophie. I’m in my master’s year at Brunel University, studying Creative Writing. You can always find me writing or reading a good book. Hopefully, you enjoy reading my articles and learn something new.

I’ve never drank, so when planning an activity to do, whether it be a group hangout or a solo day, I look for ways to have fun that don’t involve drinking. Navigating life as a university student who doesn’t partake in drinking can be difficult, especially when it comes to nightlife and leisure.

Whether you’ve recently become sober, abstain from drinking for personal or religious reasons, or maybe you just want a trial period of plenty of fun without the drink, there is something for you.

Keep scrolling to read and take note of some sober activities in London.

My favourite non-drinking activities in London

Workout classes

If you’re someone like me who isn’t fond of the gym but likes physical activity to help decompress, then a workout class might just be the perfect activity for you. My vice is spin cycling, and I’d highly recommend studios such as SoulCycle (Soho), Psycle (seven locations, including Shoreditch and London Bridge), and 3Tribes (Crouch End and Borough).

If spin doesn’t work for you, you could try out Pilates and challenge yourself on the mat or reformer at studios such as Enmei, Heartcore, or 1Rebel (all with various locations across the city). What looks like a simple workout will be the longest but most rewarding fifty minutes of your life.

Or if you’re looking for something similar to the gym, but don’t want to go alone, why not try out a class at Barry’s or JAB? Group fitness classes can be intense, but I’d highly recommend trying one. I’ve been taking classes now for over a year, and I can confidently say that although I’ve had fun, my wellbeing has improved immensely.

For students worried about the cost, you can access majority of these students via ClassPass. ClassPass offers affordable memberships to take a class at a minimum of once per week.

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Restaurants

Going out to eat is a great sober thing to do in London. The perks of being based in a city like London are both the variety of cuisine in the city and the varying costs at each Instagrammable restaurant, meaning you can find what you can afford and would like to eat, all in one place.

For some students, the temptation to drink may be present, but have no fear: many affordable restaurants in London have mocktail options on their menus or don’t serve alcohol at all. My personal recommendation is Watan. The restaurant has four locations across North, South, East and West London.

Cinema

The cinema is a great and affordable non-drinking activity for students in London. For anyone looking to make it a regular hobby or just wants to be cost-effective, a cinema membership is the way to go. Most major cinema chains within the city offer affordable monthly memberships. This means that you can watch as many films as you’d like per month and never miss upcoming releases (great for the student budget!).

Peckhamplex (in Peckham), The Prince Charles Cinema (in the West End), and Odeon (Leicester Square, amongst other locations) are often said to be some of the most affordable screens in the city.

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Theatre

There is lots of fun to have watching actors bring much-loved characters to life on stage. You could be spending your Monday night watching Galinda and Elphaba defy gravity on stage because the film wasn’t enough once more, or watching a modern retelling of a much-loved text at your local theatre later that week. Either way, there’s something for everyone.

To save money, booking in advance is recommended; however, many theatres in London, such as The National Theatre (on the South Bank) and Almeida (in Islington), offer discounted tickets for under-25s.

Comedy clubs

Lucky for us, a good laugh is accessible to everyone. A great sober activity for a night out is to head over to a comedy club, such as The Top Secret Comedy Club in Covent Garden and Holborn. Find your favourite London-based comedian, go see them, and laugh until your stomach hurts.

If your favourite comedian or anyone who has you curious lives abroad, have no fear. Often, popular comedians tour outside of their country and aim to perform in London if possible. Unsure of where to look? Head to TikTok and find a comedian you love.

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There you have it: five fun sober activities in London for students. Hopefully you’ve found one or two that have piqued your interest, and you’ve learned that there is much to be had without drinking.

Sorted your sober activities in London? Sort your accommodation!

You may have created a list of sober activities to try in London, but have you sorted next year’s student accommodation? Browse student accommodation in London to find your perfect spot - near all your favourite activities. Whether you have your eye on Canary Wharf, Paddington, or anywhere else, there are plenty of flats and houses to call home here - with bills included.

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