Lauren Rivera 
For many years, Jersey City has been ranked as one of the most diverse cities in the country. This is no surprise, as on every street corner, locals will find multi-cultural restaurants, spaces, and communities. But diversity in Chilltown goes beyond backgrounds and traditions; it’s also reflected in lifestyle choices. Home to a dynamic mix of people, Jersey City was ranked number one for sober living, according to a study released by Sana Lake Recovery, providing a comfortable way of life for both social entrepreneurs who enjoy unwinding over drinks with friends and those who prefer to skip the substances on a night out altogether. Read on for the details of this study and some local recs for sober living in Jersey City, New Jersey.
The Study
Sana Lake Recovery, Missouri’s leading addiction treatment center, conducted a study that measured rehab facilities within a 10-mile radius per 10,000 residents in 50 cities nationwide. The center analyzed each city’s number of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) locations within a 10-mile radius, search interest in sober living, quality of life score, and the percentage of adults who binge drink by state.
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Out of the top 15, Jersey City ranked as the number one U.S. city for sober living. JC received a livability score of 82, providing six AA locations and 433 rehab facilities to locals in the area, with 14.86 rehab facilities per 10k residents within a 10-mile radius, meaning that for anyone looking to lead a sober lifestyle, Jersey City is the prime location.
Local Recs
As per Sana Lake Recovery’s study, the phrase “Sober living near me” was ranked high in search results amongst Jersey City residents. Locals have asked, and The Hoboken Girl is here to answer with recommendations for sober living in JC.
Join the Sober Curious Community for a Weekly Meeting
Photo Credit: Annie Ferro
With the mission of normalizing sobriety in a shame-free manner, resident Annie Ferro started the Sober Curious Community in July 2024. This is a group that provides “a safe environment for those who are sober curious, or already sober, to feel comfortable not drinking and socializing in places where there typically is drinking,” she previously shared with HG. The Sober Curious Community meets every Wednesday via Zoom at 8PM ET. The meetings are led by Annie and feature discussions of topics like dating, navigating the holidays, identifying values, and how substances may be preventing attendees from aligning with those values. Together, the group shares stories and brainstorms scenarios to help members feel more prepared when in a substance-centric scenario. Meetings are for anyone and everyone, at any point in their journeys, and everything shared with the Sober Curious Community remains anonymous.
Go on a Mocktail Tour of Hoboken + Jersey City
^ mocktails from Hudson Golf
Those living a sober lifestyle don’t have to miss out on the fun. Local spots like The Ainsworth (310 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken) Belo Bar (104 Hudson Street, Hoboken), Dear Maud (205 1st Street, Hoboken) The Hoboken Biergarten (1422 Grand Street), The Alps (351 Palisade Avenue, Jersey City), Batello (502 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City), Under the Boot (116 Newark Avenue, Jersey City), and dullboy (364 Grove Street, Jersey City) provide non-alcoholic mocktails that taste just as great as the real thing. HG pro tip: try Under the Boot’s ‘The Quiet Lady’ mocktail, made with fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and club soda, and served with habanero cubes.
We have curated a roundup of 35 Hoboken + Jersey City bars and restaurants serving sober-friendly options. See the full list here.
Try an Only-Safe-When-Sober Skill
Photo Credit: The Gravity Vault
Activities like rock climbing at Gravity Vault, go-kart racing at RPM Raceway, Jet-Skiing with New York Harbor Jet Ski, and archery at Aerow Archery are not advisable when inebriated. Beginners and experienced rock climbers can stretch their limits at the Gravity Vault in Hoboken. At Jersey City’s RPM Raceway, thrill seekers can go fast and furious on 3,000 feet of lightning-fast straightaways and 90-degree hairpin and spiraling ramps. While jet skiing, guests will cruise up and down the Hudson River, around Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, with the potential for a full loop around Manhattan. Aerow Archery delivers a unique and healthy way to move your body in an 8,000-square-foot open loft space featuring 24 lanes of tournament-style targets ranging from 11 to 22 meters.
Explore the Local Area: Spring Edition
A group photo walk may be just the thing for exploring picturesque city streets. Explorers can capture the beauty of cozy corner cafes and stately architecture, and document the fact that Hoboken and Jersey City are home to stunning landscapes and vibrant cityscapes. Bowling in the basement of the Barrow Mansion or a trip to historic Harsimus Cemetery are very cool ways to experience local splendor. Planning for a picnic party in a stunning setting is always a great activity, too. Jersey City Reservoir No. 3, a decommissioned reservoir atop Bergen Hill in the Heights of Jersey City just south of Pershing Field, is another great place for finding the peace that only comes in nature.
Join a Club
The Hudson County area boasts 20 different groups and clubs for people of all kinds of interests. Those who enjoy reading can join the Completely Booked Book Club, led by HG contributor and Volunteer Coordinator Jordan Hernandez, for a monthly, virtual book club that meets on the last Tuesday of the month from 7PM-8PM via Zoom. Gamers can attend one of Victory Point‘s regular meetups at 112 Brunswick Street, Jersey City. Locals will be provided with all types of games. For avid runners, HG has a list of over 15 running clubs meeting weekly or monthly in Hoboken and Jersey City. See our full list of groups and clubs to join here.
Go on a Jersey City Food Crawl
Jersey City has all kinds of foodie spots for locals to try. Bagel lovers can try the newly opened Cheech’s Bagels at 176 Erie Street. Pizza lovers can visit the hidden One World Pizza at 49 Baldwin Avenue for a Chef Table experience by the team behind Cafe Alyce. Those who enjoy dining in the sun can check out this list of outdoor dining spots in the local area. For a sweet treat, visit the Newport Mall for a viral Japanese-style soufflé pancake. The Hoboken Girl also recently listed out 10 foodie items that we’re currently obsessed with.
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Read our roundup of alcohol-free activities in Hoboken + Jersey City for more recommendations.
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