- In 2026, a shift in social behavior is evident as young adults move toward 'soft partying.' This trend prioritizes meaningful, in-person connections over traditional nightlife and excessive drinking.
- Exhausted by dating apps and phone addiction, this demographic is seeking purpose through fitness communities, early evening dance parties, and intellectual events.
- Startups are capitalizing on this movement, with apps like Sweatpals and platforms like Offline facilitating these connections.
- The shift is driven by a desire for safety, inclusivity, and mental well-being, with many citing a need to 'retrain' themselves to be social again.
Quick Summary
In 2026, the definition of a social life is changing. A movement known as soft partying is replacing the traditional late-night bar scene. Young adults, feeling disconnected and exhausted by digital burnout, are prioritizing in-person connection without the hangover.
This shift has given rise to a new wave of startups and social clubs. From early evening dance parties to fitness meetups and intellectual lectures, the focus is on community and safety. Key figures in the lifestyle space note that the hunger for deeper meaning is driving this change. As one founder puts it, the goal is to help people find in-person communities that offer more than just a drink.
The Shift Away from Traditional Nightlife
The year 2026 marks a turning point where joining a gym or quitting smoking is no longer the primary New Year's resolution. Instead, the focus is on social fitness and finding purpose offline. Young adults are actively seeking ways to meet people that do not involve the exhaustion of dating apps or the intensity of late-night clubs.
Traditional nightlife is being re-evaluated. According to industry founders, the old model marketed itself in a shallow way. The atmosphere often included:
- Intimidating long lines
- Expensive bottle service
- Late nights that disrupt sleep
- Pressure to have the 'right look'
These factors created an air of exclusivity that many now find unappealing. Instead, there is a growing appreciation for the idea that being offline is the new luxury.
The hunger and the need for a deeper meaning and deeper connections is there.— Andrew Roth, Founder of Offline
New Ventures for Early Evenings and Fitness
Entrepreneurs are quickly moving to fill the void left by traditional bars. Mike Vosters, founder of Matinee Social Club, hosts dance parties that start and end early for people aged 30 and older. These events take place at iconic New York venues like Joyface and Mr. Purple. Vosters argues that nightlife needs to change, noting that knowing you can buy a ticket, dance, and be home early makes the scene more inclusive. Matinee now hosts roughly three events each weekend.
Laura Baginski runs a similar venture called Earlybirds Club. Her dance parties run from 6 to 10 p.m., attracting women, queer, trans, and non-binary people between 35 and 55. Most events across the country in January sold out. Baginski notes that the format allows for a safe space where "going alone doesn't feel strange."
Meanwhile, fitness is becoming a primary vehicle for socialization. Salar Shahini, founder of the app Sweatpals, explains that users are looking at workouts as a way to date and meet people, not just to exercise. The app, which has raised $16 million, connects people in over a dozen cities. This trend represents a reversal from the pre-COVID era of solo YouTube workouts toward a community-based, sober-curious lifestyle.
Sober Curiosity and Intellectual Leisure
Statistics indicate a clear decline in alcohol consumption among younger generations. In 2025, a Morning Consult poll found that 22% of American adults planned to participate in Dry January, a record high. Additionally, Gen Z drinks less year-round than older generations, and one in five adults under 35 expressed interest in alcohol-free events.
This stands in stark contrast to advice from older pundits like Scott Galloway, who recently argued that the anti-alcohol movement is the 'worst thing' to happen to young people, suggesting that social isolation is a greater risk than liver damage. However, the market is moving in the opposite direction.
Young adults are also seeking intellectual stimulation. Andrew Yeung, founder of the think tank Fibe, observes that people in their late twenties are hungry for the college experience they missed during the pandemic. This has led to the rise of:
- Lectures on Tap (professors speaking at bars)
- Philosophy clubs debating in bars
- Book clubs moving to social venues
As Brian Cho of Patron VC states, social fitness has become a new social currency.
Retraining Social Habits
Underlying these trends is a widespread feeling of loneliness and a desire to address it openly. Luke Evans, 33, relocated to London in 2025 and felt a new sense of isolation. He took an improv class and set a goal to try something new monthly in 2026. He found that the stigma around loneliness is fading, noting that "people are almost desperate to talk about it."
Similarly, Brigette Polster, 31, committed to quitting dating apps in 2026. She prioritizes going to bars and restaurants alone and pursuing hobbies like horseback riding and flyfishing. To help other singles, she started a 'Single Girls Night Out' meetup, which gained 1,500 Instagram followers in a month.
Polster captures the sentiment of the movement perfectly: "We have to all start retraining ourselves to be social people again."
"Nightlife in general is marketed in a very shallow way."
— Mike Vosters, Founder of Matinee Social Club
"Nightlife's not dead at all. I just think that nightlife needs to change."
— Mike Vosters, Founder of Matinee Social Club
"Going alone doesn't feel strange, everyone is very open."
— Laura Baginski, Founder of Earlybirds Club
"They're looking at it as a way to date, as a way to meet — not just to work out."
— Salar Shahini, Founder of Sweatpals
"Social fitness is a new social currency."
— Brian Cho, Co-founder at Patron
"Everyone's in the same boat. Everyone feels a bit relieved that, oh, I'm not the only one who was feeling this way."
— Luke Evans, Business Owner
"We have to all start retraining ourselves to be social people again."
— Brigette Polster
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'soft partying'?
Soft partying is a trend in 2026 where young adults seek social connection through early evening events, fitness meetups, and alcohol-free gatherings, prioritizing safety and meaningful interaction over late nights and heavy drinking.
Why are people moving away from traditional nightlife?
Many find traditional nightlife intimidating and shallow due to long lines, high costs, late hours, and the pressure to look a certain way. There is a growing desire for inclusive, safe, and sober-curious environments.
What kind of events are popular in this trend?
Popular events include early dance parties (ending by 10 p.m.), run clubs, cold plunge social clubs, lecture nights at bars, improv classes, and hobby-based meetups like hiking or archery.
