Ep. 72 Sober Behind the Bar: Chris Cardone’s Mission for Sober Inclusivity in Hospitality

Listen to the PODCAST Here
Watch the Podcast on YouTube Here

Raising the Bar for Sobriety: How Bartenders Like Chris Cardone Are Creating an Inclusive Cocktail Culture  

The Evolution of the Sober Bartender

The world of bartending and hospitality has long been intertwined with a culture of drinking—late nights, cocktail competitions, and an unspoken expectation that bartenders should be able to outdrink anyone in the room. But as Chris Cardone, a celebrated New York bartender, shares in a recent conversation on the Feel It Alcohol Free podcast, this narrative is changing. His journey from a heavy drinker entrenched in the "drink to belong" scene to an award-winning sober mixologist demonstrates how the industry can—and must—evolve to better include everyone, regardless of what's in their glass.

Breaking the Cycle: Chris Cardone’s Sobriety Story

Like many hospitality professionals, drinking became second nature to Chris. A self-identified lifelong bartender, he recalls his early days filled with party culture and the pressure to embody the life of the party. As he tells it, “The bartender is supposed to be the one who can outdrink everyone.” This expectation led not only to excessive drinking but also, over time, to disturbing hallucinogenic blackouts that no longer made sense to ignore.

His tipping point came during a particularly alarming blackout in 2015, when he was sent home by colleagues after becoming convinced of apocalyptic danger. The incident was the final straw, prompting Chris to "take a break" from alcohol—a break that, as he soon realized, would become permanent. The physical, emotional, and professional transformations he noticed in sobriety—improved relationships, clarity, and performance—cemented his newfound identity.

Overcoming Stigma: Redefining Hospitality

Despite the personal victories, Chris’s decision to remain a sober bartender wasn’t immediately celebrated. In a world where a bartender’s credibility was linked to their drinking prowess, sobriety was met with skepticism and sometimes outright hostility. Many questioned whether someone who didn’t drink could genuinely craft, taste, and appreciate great cocktails.

Chris, however, challenged this norm. He leaned into his expertise, demonstrating that understanding mouthfeel, aroma, and balance doesn’t require consuming alcohol. In fact, it opened doors to new creativity. His 2017 win at the U.S. Diageo World Class Bartending Competition as a sober bartender was a watershed moment, proving to the industry that excellence in mixology transcends intoxication.

Crafting Non-Alcoholic Excellence

A glaring issue Chris encountered was the lack of sophisticated nonalcoholic options on bar menus—a problem that left many guests feeling awkwardly singled out or excluded. More often than not, the “mocktails” on offer were uninspired afterthoughts: soda in a pint glass or overly sweet concoctions.

Today, as the founder of Continuous Beverage Solutions, Chris consults with bars, restaurants, and wellness brands to design thoughtful, balanced nonalcoholic and low-ABV cocktails. He’s part of a movement that insists guests deserve creative, delicious drinks—regardless of alcohol content. For Chris and a growing segment of drinkers, a well-made nonalcoholic cocktail is not about saving money or abstaining for the sake of abstinence; it’s about feeling included and enhancing the overall experience, meal, or celebration.

The Business Case for Inclusivity

The demand for nonalcoholic options isn’t a niche trend, but a genuine shift in culture—driven by millennials and Gen Z, increasingly health-conscious consumers, and those simply re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol. According to Chris, venues that don’t adapt by offering elevated nonalcoholic choices risk missing out on significant revenue. More importantly, they risk alienating guests who, empowered by better options elsewhere, may never walk through the door.

Towards a New Era of Hospitality

Chris’s story is emblematic of a broader change sweeping across the hospitality industry. Offering nonalcoholic drinks with the same care, respect, and creativity as their boozy counterparts is rapidly becoming a standard of good service. As industry leaders like Chris continue to educate, consult, and innovate, the future is clear: truly great hospitality is about making everyone feel welcome—no matter what they’re drinking.

Whether you’re a bartender, restaurateur, or someone rethinking your own drinking habits, Chris’s journey reminds us that inclusion isn’t just good business, it’s good human sense. The next time you order a nonalcoholic drink and it’s as thoughtfully crafted as anything on the menu, you’ll know: the bar really has been raised.
_____

Listeners have said that our podcast has helped them get alcohol free! So we created Feel Lit 21, a way for you to press your reset button and take a 21 day break from alcohol. Every day you will receive emails with videos, journal prompts, and the inspiration you need to embrace 21 days without alcohol that feels lit!
https://feellitpodcast.com/FeelLit21-sg

 Find community and connection on the Feel Lit Alcohol Free Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/feellitalcoholfreepodcast

Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/

Follow Coach Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching
Email: [email protected]