Undrunk Club is making sobriety the life of the party 🍸️ 🥳

In partnership with

Happy Thursday, Capital Region! Today, we’re introducing you to the Undrunk Club, a growing social scene for ladies who want a fun night out—without the hangover. We love this teetotaling trend, but we reserve the right to think that nursing a Negroni counts as a personality trait 🍊🥃 

Btw, do you love what we’re doing with The 518? Do you like getting the best dam news you can use? Buy us a coffee (or a whole bag of beans) by dropping a donation here 🙏 We love you!

Correction: We incorrectly listed Brown’s Brewing Co.’s Shuck Out event in Monday’s newsletter. It’s already passed 😂 Sorry, even beavers make mistakes!

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Undrunk Club is making sobriety the life of the party 🍸️ 🥳 

We love a good drink. A lovely Rosé at a summer picnic. An Old Fashioned at the New Scotland Spirits Tasting Room. Cold beer and hot dogs on the Fourth of July.

But going sober has its perks too. No hangovers. No fat bar tab. No regrets.

More people are discovering the joys of sobriety. 

Only 62% of U.S. adults now drink alcohol, down from 70% in the early 2000s, Gallup says. The shift is sharpest among Gen Z: One recent study found that nearly 30% of Gen Z adults identify as sober curious. That’s more than double the rate for Millennials.

Here in the Capital Region, the Undrunk Club is tapping into this trend—and having loads of fun and success doing it. They’re building a fast-growing social group for women who want to go out for the night, sip something fancy, and wake up feeling amazing.

Founded by Kyle Elysse Posson and Ashley Salvadore, the club started as events under the “Mocktail Mommy” moniker (long story, involves Aruba and a bartender’s joke). They recently rebranded as Undrunk Club because the group is more than just mamas, although Kyle herself is a new mom.

“We wanted to create a space where no one asks, ‘Why aren’t you drinking?’” Kyle tells us. “You’re just here to have a good time.”

A brand marketing consultant, Kyle grew up in western Massachusetts and ran around with a straight edge crew. She’s never been a drinker, but loves to be social. A well-known Capital Region influencer, Ashley is a self-proclaimed former party girl who went sober two years ago and hasn’t looked back since.

The ladies are onto something. Their events regularly sell out at 40-50 people. They love a great themed party, like bingo night or a Great Gatsby-style soiree. On Aug. 7, they’re throwing a Bridgerton-themed tea party at Prince Tea House.

Undrunk Club is looking to expand to other cities, including Austin; Wilmington, NC; and St. Augustine, FL.; and in western Mass. It's not just for the teetotalers, either. Many members drink occasionally, just not that night.

Although the parties are fun, there’s a serious side to Undrunk Club too. At their events, the founders are often approached by people who are actively struggling with addiction, have been through rehab, or have family members who are alcoholics.

“I’ve lost two uncles to alcohol and drug addiction,” Kyle says. “This is personal. I want people to have a can in their hand without needing alcohol in it… You’re not missing anything by feeling good tomorrow.”

Check out Undrunk Club, and follow them on Instagram. The Bridgerton tea party is nearly sold out, but we’re giving away two tickets to the event! To enter the contest, follow us on IG and tag your BFF (booze-free friend) on this post.

A word from our sponsor

200+ AI Side Hustles to Start Right Now

From prompt engineering to AI apps, there are countless ways to profit from AI now. Our guide reveals 200+ actionable AI business models, from no-code solutions to advanced applications. Learn how people are earning $500-$10,000 monthly with tools that didn't exist last year. Sign up for The Hustle to get the guide and daily insights.

Get the guide

🍺 Real McCoy Beer Co. recently opened at Slip 12, the new mixed-use complex in Albany’s Warehouse District. Steve Barnes paid a visit and says the food, including its wood-fired pizzas, is “uniformly good.” But he has some quibbles about the service and the fact that they’re not even serving their own beer. [Times Union]

🇮🇹 Speaking of pizza, the beloved Civitello’s Italian Pastry Shoppe in Schenectady has reopened after a 19-month renovation that turned into a total rebuild. [TU] Meanwhile, Standard Fare in Saratoga is slated to open on Aug. 15. You can book reservations now via Resy. [Daily Gazette]

👮‍♀️ Facing a staffing shortage, the Albany Police Department is asking the Common Council to create 10 special patrol jobs for previously retired officers. The state would also need to give permission to allow these officers to receive a salary (between $62,350 and $89,230) and their pensions at the same time. [TU]

🚍️ Lastly, in case you missed it, TU columnist Chris Churchill applies his sharp humor by comparing Saratoga's pricey new private airport and Albany's downtrodden bus station. They are not the same, readers. [TU]

⭐️ 🖼️ 🎸 First Friday Albany returns this week, under new stewardship by the folks at Metroland. One highlight: Live screen-printing and retro games at Circus, a cool Albany-based print community we’re thrilled to be discovering! Check the listings for the best art and music events at Albany’s monthly cultural celebration.

⭐️ ⛵️ Paddle power hits the Hudson at the Waterford Dragon Boat Festival. Cheer on teams racing 42-foot boats to the beat of a drummer—all for a great cause supporting breast cancer survivors. Sat, 10a–3p, free to watch.

⭐️ 💃🏾 This weekend, the 2025 Black Arts and Cultural Festival brings big soul to the Empire State Plaza with gospel vibes, wellness fun, and an R&B blowout finale starring Dru Hill. Fri & Sat, times vary, free. (Hudson is also putting on its own Black Arts Fest on Saturday.)

⭐️ 💦 Splash into summer at Creekfest in Amsterdam. Think food trucks, face paint, foam parties (!), bounce houses, bike night, karaoke contests, and live music—all packed into one epic (and totally free) day. Sat, 11a–8p, free.

⭐️ 🎬️ Youth FX screens “Speed Sisters,” a doc that follows the first all-female race car driving team in the Middle East. Come for the film, stay for the in-person Q&A with director Amber Fares and editor Rabab Haj Yahya. Fri, 6:30p, free.

🎟️ MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

🇺🇲 All this week, Crailo State Historic Site invites kids 7-12 for some 18th century-inspired fun at its Summer Sampler.

TODAY

🪕 Listen to eclectic bluegrass at Upbeat on the Roof with The Pine Hills Band, Thursday at the Tang Museum.

🎥 Movies on the Hill invites you to a free outdoor screening of the Disney / Pixar hit "Elemental” at Schenectady’s Jerry Burrell Park this Thursday.

🦞 It’s Cousins Maine Lobster night at Nine Pin Ciderworks in Albany.

FRIDAY

🍦This Friday, get free ice cream and join the festivities at Historic Cherry Hill’s Community Day.

🎸 Local favorites TV Doctors play a free show Friday at Wolf Hollow Brewing Co. It’s “Doc” Evan Conway’s birthday!

SATURDAY

🍋 The 5th Annual Ballston Spa Sunshine Kids Lemonade Stand Benefit will raise funds for 5-year-old Ollie, who is fighting leukemia.

🌿 While you’re in Ballston Spa, be sure to drop by the Sashies Summer Block Party, featuring live music, raffles, Ted’s Fish Fry and Joel’s Jerk Hut. Sashies is a woman / veteran-owned dispensary. 21+ only.

🏎️ The Saratoga Automobile Museum’s Summer Auto Show is Saturday.

🎤 The always fun Femininomenon party returns to Albany’s Lost & Found on Saturday.

📚️ Calling all bibliophiles. A Day for Book Lovers at Schulyer Mansion is a family-friendly event featuring free books and book-making!

🏋️‍♂️ This weekend, Crossfit Days takes over the MVP Arena.

🎭️ Broadway Camp Presents: Urinetown The Musical at Proctors on Friday & Saturday.

🍯 Did you know that this Saturday is National Mead Day? Celebrate at Helderberg Meadworks in Troy.

SUNDAY

📜 The Knickerbocker Historical Society and Emma's Foundation invites you to attend Emma’s Breakfast Buffet on Sunday.

🖼️ Admission is free today for the Hyde Collection’s Community Day!

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

Our rolling deadline is the Saturday before your event!

 💌 GET IN TOUCH!

Got an awesome business, event or personality we should feature? Let us know! Contact: [email protected]