Kelowna’s Latest Social Club Bets Big on Boozeless Nights for Professionals

In a region where social calendars often point to wineries, tastings and new releases, two Kelowna-based addiction recovery coaches are betting that professionals want something else: high-end nights out where alcohol is not the price of admission.

Julie Kross and Shelly-Anne Mckay created Sober & Social Club after noticing how quickly an alcohol-free choice can shrink a person’s social world, especially in early recovery, or when someone simply decides not to consume alcohol.

Kross says the problem is not only what people are avoiding, it is what they fear they will lose. “An alcohol-free life does not have to be boring or dry,” she says. “I still want play and fun to take centre stage. I still want a high-end experience, including a beautiful non-alcoholic drink in my hand. Sober & Social Club is about keeping the energy alive while taking alcohol out of the equation.”

Alcohol’s role as a social bridge is widely understood, and removing it can feel intimidating. In a Manitoba population survey, two of the most-cited reasons people drink were “as a way to celebrate” (19.7%) and “to be sociable” (18.5%).

Mckay says the stakes rise as responsibility rises. “I work with public-facing leaders and high-profile professionals, and one truth shows up more than people expect,” she says. “The more successful someone becomes, the more isolated they can feel. Isolation is where addiction and coping behaviours thrive, quietly and privately. Plenty of people are trying to redesign their lives to be meaningful without alcohol, yet that shift is not easy in a culture where socializing often comes with a glass in your hand. Julie and I wanted this kind of alcohol-free social life for ourselves and couldn’t find it, so we created it to make that leap easier for others.”

Sober & Social Club is built around what the founders call “connection by design.” Each gathering is hosted with warm structure that helps people meet naturally without relying on alcohol to break the ice. Guests can expect thoughtful welcomes, guided introductions, and simple, well-designed activities that reduce awkwardness and help real rapport form quickly. The founders describe it as the club’s “secret sauce,” designed to remove the barrier that often appears when people walk into a room and are left to connect on their own.

The club’s approach is intentionally preventative, rooted in what both founders have seen in recovery work: connection and joy are protective factors. Research on leadership reflects how loneliness can rise with responsibility.

In a survey of CEOs of major Canadian organizations, 25% reported frequent loneliness and 55% reported moderate yet significant bouts of loneliness.

Sober & Social Club plans to host events once a month, ranging from fancy dinner parties to picnics and dancing on the beach, plus bicycle rides, hikes and more. The first event takes place April 4, 2026, with the founders flipping the script on a prohibition theme by heading into a speakeasy to not drink, creating an underground-style night that centres connection, atmosphere and fun instead of alcohol.

The founders say they have been pleasantly surprised by how many people have already added their names to the VIP list. They expect events to sell out quickly and encourage guests to secure tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Local business partnerships are welcome, including venues and aligned businesses looking to stand alongside the club and be visible supporters of alcohol-free living, knowing this community of professionals intentionally chooses to support the businesses that support their wellbeing.