New York ranks last in nationwide Sober October trend: Doesnt exist

Raise a glass to being dead last.New Yorkers have no plans to put down the bottle during one of the biggest drinking months of the year — despite the rest of the country trying out Sober October, according to a survey.Pausing the party is not an option in the Empire State — so much so that New York ranked last in a nationwide poll on the month-long abstinence trend, Oar Health revealed Thursday.“Sober October doesn’t really exist in New York.

September has been our busiest month of the year, and that’s a great indicator of how October is going to go,” said Phil Zelonky, a partner at Sirrah in the Meatpacking District.October has traditionally been a party month for the Big Apple, with the bastardized version of Oktoberfest already in full swing from its September kickoff and running right through Halloween.The 1-liter steins and never-ending costume opportunities could be why just 16% of New Yorkers statewide pledged to participate in Sober October this year, compared to an average rate of 26% nationally, the survey found.Even the handful of temporary teetotalers are only willing to take on the challenge half-heartedly — with just 41% saying they’d go completely dry for the entire month.That’s a far cry from the 41% of South Carolinians promising to give up booze for the next 30 days.But New Yorkers say they hadn’t even heard of the growing trend, which rivals the new-year-new-me version dubbed Dry January.Only 23% of drinkers in New York said they are familiar with Sober October, putting the state dead last when it comes to awareness.But the findings shouldn’t come as a shock in the city that never sleeps, according to those in the nightlife scene.Miguel Munoz, the bar director for Renwick Hospitality, called October a “hot spot” for drinkers, especially those looking to explore seasonal craft cocktails after a summer of spritzes.“October is the window when we get the drinking crowd,” said Munoz.“People are drinking less in general...