A while back I wrote about cocktail receptions — specifically, how they could be less terrible for the non-drinkers among us. I suggested we make three changes:

1. Clear disclosure that nonalcoholic drinks are available.  
2. Nonalcoholic drinks that are equally appealing adult beverages.  
3. Visibility — no hunting around and having to break conversation to grab a glass.

This week? I got all three.

On Wednesday, the Irish-American Bar Association hosted a wine tasting at the Irish Consulate. The invite said, plainly, that both alcoholic and nonalcoholic wines would be featured. Progress! (Then the organizer reached out to ask if I/my firm wanted to sponsor the nonalcoholic list, so I wrangled a few partners to chip in.)

The event itself was gorgeous. Equal displays of alcoholic and nonalcoholic bottles, each with a knowledgeable server. I tried a sparkling white, a rosé, and a red — all by a brand called Oddbird, which I’d never previously tried. The server even sent samples home with me.

All evening the nonalcoholic options were getting crushed. Not just by me — by everyone. Lawyers were doubling back to try other kinds, and by the end of the night the NA stash was the one that needed restocking. And now I have a new event template to share with others.  This is how it’s done!

Also: A few associates asked me about starting a law firm affinity group for non-drinkers. Which, yes. Obviously. I’ve been trying to make non-drinking and non-drinkers more visible in the legal and corporate world, so this would help a lot, especially if the idea spread. We just need a name.

Candidates so far:

• Ex Partay (delightfully nerdy)
• Bar None (bold, clean, no nonsense)
• Dry Hard (action hero vibe, a little bit of nonsense, so my frontrunner?)

Open to more. Must be clever or cheeky. Ideally both.