No Alcohol, No Bar Fights: From Karachi To Delhi, Why Gen Z Is Socialising Over Coffee Cups

Last Updated:February 19, 2026, 11:22 IST

From Karachi’s ‘sober nights’ to Delhi’s bhajan clubbing, here’s why Gen Z is ditching alcohol and redefining nightlife in the most unexpected way.

Chai replaces tequila as Delhi’s bhajan clubbers turn devotional beats into the hottest dance trend of the year. (Image-AI)

From Karachi’s neon-lit coffee raves to Delhi’s devotional dance floors, the youth is rewriting nightlife, ditching alcohol for chai, clarity and community in a powerful shift.

Under neon strips at an indoor sports club in Karachi, instead of secretive gatherings in hidden venues, young people are showing up at regulated spaces, sports clubs, art galleries, and cafes where entry is ticketed, security is visible, and alcohol is absent.

In many parties, the dance floor sits beside illuminated padel courts. Between DJ sets, attendees rotate into friendly matches of the racket sport. The music winds down at 10 PM sharp. There are no whispered warnings about police inspections, no anxiety about illicit drinks.

Reimagining Social Life Within Boundaries

In Pakistan, where alcohol is prohibited for Muslims, nightlife has existed in fragments. The trend that is unfolding now is not a rebellion against the law but an adaptation within it.

Organisers secure official permissions before hosting events. Attendance is limited, and surveillance through wall-mounted cameras and even drone monitoring ensures compliance with no-alcohol policies.

Across the city of 19 million residents, similar events are multiplying. Coffee shops host DJ nights, co-working spaces turn into dance venues, and art galleries experiment with live music evenings.

Market trends reflect this shift. Pakistan’s consumption of soft drinks and coffee has surged in recent years, outpacing growth in neighbouring countries where the non-alcoholic beverage movement has been steadier.

Globally, Gen Z is drinking less. In Pakistan, however, the trend crosses paths with religious norms, making it both lifestyle-driven and culturally aligned.

The Rise Of Women-Only Nights

One of the significant dimensions of Karachi’s sober scene is the growth of women-only events. According to Reuters, Third Culture Coffee, comedian and influencer Amtul Baweja has hosted desi music nights exclusively for women.

Pakistani and Indian tracks echo through the café as guests dance freely, unconcerned about unwanted attention. The evening wraps early, typically before 9 p.m.

For many women, nightlife has traditionally come with caveats, questions about safety, visibility, social judgement and timing. These events are curated gatherings where those negotiations disappear.

Though ticket prices, ranging between 3000 and 7000 Pakistani rupees, which represent a notable expense relative to the entry-level salaries, the demand remains steady.

These nights have become a visible statement of autonomy. Social media feeds fill with real-time videos and polished photos, something less common at alcohol-centric parties of the past. The visibility itself signals change. Sobriety is not hidden, it is shareable, aspirational and aesthetic.

A Sociological Shift

Sociologist Gulshan Sihag views sober gatherings as a part of a broader generational recalibration. She explains that such spaces disrupt the entrenched assumption that alcohol is central to sociability.

In her analysis, sobriety today carries symbolic weight; it reflects identity formation, mental health awareness, health consciousness, and even a critique of consumerist excess. Young people, she suggests, are asserting personal boundaries while distancing themselves from peer pressure and elitist leisure norms.

Rather than rejecting tradition, the young people are renegotiating it. Sihag describes this as cultural hybridity—where inherited values and contemporary formats blend. Traditional practices are not discarded but reimagined.

She points to festivals like Navratri, where Garba now coexists with DJ remixes, or the growing popularity of spiritual figures among digitally native audiences. For this generation, global exposure and cultural rootedness are not contradictions.

In Karachi, sober socialising highlights how modern music, global aesthetics, and Islamic boundaries coexist within a carefully negotiated framework.

Delhi’s Bhajan Clubbing: Devotion In The DJ Booth

Across the border in India, a distinct yet parallel phenomenon is reshaping youth culture, known as ‘Bhajan Clubbing.’ In cities such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi and Kolkata, devotional songs, once confined to temples or family gatherings, are being remixed with electronic beats and performed in club-like settings.

The bar counter is replaced with stations serving chai and buttermilk, incense replaces fog machines, and attendees wear ethnic fusion outfits instead of conventional party attire.

One devotional piece frequently featured is the Hanuman Chalisa, whose verses have found a renewed life through viral social media clips.

For a generation accustomed to short, emotionally resonant digital content, such devotional music translates seamlessly to online platforms. A single viral kirtan clip can draw hundreds to the next live event.

Psychologist Raksha Rajesh interprets this gravitation toward bhajans as less about religiosity and more about regulation. She argues that young Indians are overstimulated, burdened by comparison culture, digital overload, and relentless performance pressures. In that context, rhythmic chanting and predictable melodies offer neurological relief.

During stress, she explains, people instinctively seek experiences that calm the nervous system. Repetition, collective singing, and steady rhythm reduce physiological arousal, fostering stability. Traditional nightlife often heightens stimulation; spiritually rooted music provides a structured, comforting alternative.

The Mental Health Dimension

Dr Ashima Ranjan, Senior Consultant in Psychiatry at Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, sees the alcohol-free shift as closely tied to rising mental health awareness.

“Today’s youth are more conscious about emotional stability and want environments that support psychological well-being. Reduced stigma around mental health, stronger family influence, and changing social values are encouraging healthier choices. Alcohol-free spaces offer connection without emotional disruption, aligning with a generation prioritising clarity, control, and overall mental wellness.”

Alcohol-free spaces allow connection without the emotional volatility that intoxication can trigger. “While alcohol may temporarily lower inhibitions, it often intensifies anxiety later, particularly when individuals lose control or exceed tolerance. In contrast, sober settings encourage emotional regulation and genuine confidence,” she adds.

For sensitive individuals, such environments feel safer. Without intoxicants, participants remain aware and grounded, reducing vulnerability and post-event regret.

Dr Ranjan believes the symbolism of dancing with coffee instead of alcohol reflects a deeper identity shift. Urban youth, she says, are redefining enjoyment—not as escapism but as presence. The choice signals independence from peer pressure and a conscious prioritisation of clarity.

Inside A Bhajan Clubbing Night

A typical Bhajan Clubbing session blends old and new seamlessly. Some events incorporate short meditative pauses, though the central focus remains collective singing.

Rajesh explains that repetitive chanting can dampen activity in brain regions associated with rumination and anxiety. It promotes steady breathing and stimulates the vagus nerve, encouraging relaxation. Familiar melodies, she adds, feel psychologically safe during emotional vulnerability.

Comparing Karachi’s Sober Nights And Delhi’s Bhajan Clubbing

While shaped by distinct religious contexts, both movements reflect a shared generational impulse. Karachi’s sober gatherings prioritise compliance, surveillance, and early curfews, structures designed to ensure physical safety within Islamic legal frameworks. Delhi’s Bhajan Clubbing leans into spiritual familiarity, offering emotional regulation through devotional rhythm.

Both reject the assumption that nightlife requires intoxication. Both create environments where visibility is possible, where young people can post openly without fear of legal or social repercussions.

Sihag’s concept of cultural hybridity applies to each. In Pakistan, modern party formats operate within religious norms. In India, devotional traditions adopt club culture’s energy. Rather than abandoning heritage, youth are remixing it.

A New Concept Of Nightlife

Urban nightlife across the world has been associated with dimly lit bars, late hours, and alcohol-fuelled abandon. The emerging scenes in Delhi and Karachi suggest a recalibration.

In Karachi, young adults gather under watchful cameras, dance beside sports courts, and leave before midnight. In Delhi, they chant centuries-old verses over electronic beats, sipping chai instead of cocktails.

A generation navigating pandemic aftershocks, economic pressures, and digital fatigue appears less interested in chaos and more invested in connection. They are building social spaces that promise energy without excess, belonging without risk, and celebration without secrecy.

In many parties, the dance floor sits beside illuminated padel courts. Between DJ sets, attendees rotate into friendly matches of the racket sport. The music winds down at 10 PM sharp. There are no whispered warnings about police inspections, no anxiety about illicit drinks.

Reimagining Social Life Within Boundaries

In Pakistan, where alcohol is prohibited for Muslims, nightlife has existed in fragments. The trend that is unfolding now is not a rebellion against the law but an adaptation within it.

Organisers secure official permissions before hosting events. Attendance is limited, and surveillance through wall-mounted cameras and even drone monitoring ensures compliance with no-alcohol policies.

Across the city of 19 million residents, similar events are multiplying. Coffee shops host DJ nights, co-working spaces turn into dance venues, and art galleries experiment with live music evenings.

Market trends reflect this shift. Pakistan’s consumption of soft drinks and coffee has surged in recent years, outpacing growth in neighbouring countries where the non-alcoholic beverage movement has been steadier.

Globally, Gen Z is drinking less. In Pakistan, however, the trend crosses paths with religious norms, making it both lifestyle-driven and culturally aligned.

The Rise Of Women-Only Nights

One of the significant dimensions of Karachi’s sober scene is the growth of women-only events. According to Reuters, Third Culture Coffee, comedian and influencer Amtul Baweja has hosted desi music nights exclusively for women.

Pakistani and Indian tracks echo through the café as guests dance freely, unconcerned about unwanted attention. The evening wraps early, typically before 9 p.m.

For many women, nightlife has traditionally come with caveats, questions about safety, visibility, social judgement and timing. These events are curated gatherings where those negotiations disappear.

Though ticket prices, ranging between 3000 and 7000 Pakistani rupees, which represent a notable expense relative to the entry-level salaries, the demand remains steady.

These nights have become a visible statement of autonomy. Social media feeds fill with real-time videos and polished photos, something less common at alcohol-centric parties of the past. The visibility itself signals change. Sobriety is not hidden, it is shareable, aspirational and aesthetic.

A Sociological Shift

Sociologist Gulshan Sihag views sober gatherings as a part of a broader generational recalibration. She explains that such spaces disrupt the entrenched assumption that alcohol is central to sociability.

In her analysis, sobriety today carries symbolic weight; it reflects identity formation, mental health awareness, health consciousness, and even a critique of consumerist excess. Young people, she suggests, are asserting personal boundaries while distancing themselves from peer pressure and elitist leisure norms.

Rather than rejecting tradition, the young people are renegotiating it. Sihag describes this as cultural hybridity—where inherited values and contemporary formats blend. Traditional practices are not discarded but reimagined.

She points to festivals like Navratri, where Garba now coexists with DJ remixes, or the growing popularity of spiritual figures among digitally native audiences. For this generation, global exposure and cultural rootedness are not contradictions.

In Karachi, sober socialising highlights how modern music, global aesthetics, and Islamic boundaries coexist within a carefully negotiated framework.

Delhi’s Bhajan Clubbing: Devotion In The DJ Booth

Across the border in India, a distinct yet parallel phenomenon is reshaping youth culture, known as ‘Bhajan Clubbing.’ In cities such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi and Kolkata, devotional songs, once confined to temples or family gatherings, are being remixed with electronic beats and performed in club-like settings.

The bar counter is replaced with stations serving chai and buttermilk, incense replaces fog machines, and attendees wear ethnic fusion outfits instead of conventional party attire.
One devotional piece frequently featured is the Hanuman Chalisa, whose verses have found a renewed life through viral social media clips.

For a generation accustomed to short, emotionally resonant digital content, such devotional music translates seamlessly to online platforms. A single viral kirtan clip can draw hundreds to the next live event.

Psychologist Raksha Rajesh interprets this gravitation toward bhajans as less about religiosity and more about regulation. She argues that young Indians are overstimulated, burdened by comparison culture, digital overload, and relentless performance pressures. In that context, rhythmic chanting and predictable melodies offer neurological relief.

During stress, she explains, people instinctively seek experiences that calm the nervous system. Repetition, collective singing, and steady rhythm reduce physiological arousal, fostering stability. Traditional nightlife often heightens stimulation; spiritually rooted music provides a structured, comforting alternative.

The Mental Health Dimension

Dr Ashima Ranjan, Senior Consultant in Psychiatry at Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, sees the alcohol-free shift as closely tied to rising mental health awareness.

“Today’s youth are more conscious about emotional stability and want environments that support psychological well-being. Reduced stigma around mental health, stronger family influence, and changing social values are encouraging healthier choices. Alcohol-free spaces offer connection without emotional disruption, aligning with a generation prioritising clarity, control, and overall mental wellness.”

Alcohol-free spaces allow connection without the emotional volatility that intoxication can trigger. “While alcohol may temporarily lower inhibitions, it often intensifies anxiety later, particularly when individuals lose control or exceed tolerance. In contrast, sober settings encourage emotional regulation and genuine confidence,” she adds.

For sensitive individuals, such environments feel safer. Without intoxicants, participants remain aware and grounded, reducing vulnerability and post-event regret.

Dr Ranjan believes the symbolism of dancing with coffee instead of alcohol reflects a deeper identity shift. Urban youth, she says, are redefining enjoyment—not as escapism but as presence. The choice signals independence from peer pressure and a conscious prioritisation of clarity.

Inside A Bhajan Clubbing Night

A typical Bhajan Clubbing session blends old and new seamlessly. Some events incorporate short meditative pauses, though the central focus remains collective singing.

Rajesh explains that repetitive chanting can dampen activity in brain regions associated with rumination and anxiety. It promotes steady breathing and stimulates the vagus nerve, encouraging relaxation. Familiar melodies, she adds, feel psychologically safe during emotional vulnerability.

Comparing Karachi’s Sober Nights And Delhi’s Bhajan Clubbing

While shaped by distinct religious contexts, both movements reflect a shared generational impulse. Karachi’s sober gatherings prioritise compliance, surveillance, and early curfews, structures designed to ensure physical safety within Islamic legal frameworks. Delhi’s Bhajan Clubbing leans into spiritual familiarity, offering emotional regulation through devotional rhythm.

Both reject the assumption that nightlife requires intoxication. Both create environments where visibility is possible, where young people can post openly without fear of legal or social repercussions.

Sihag’s concept of cultural hybridity applies to each. In Pakistan, modern party formats operate within religious norms. In India, devotional traditions adopt club culture’s energy. Rather than abandoning heritage, youth are remixing it.

A New Concept Of Nightlife

Urban nightlife across the world has been associated with dimly lit bars, late hours, and alcohol-fuelled abandon. The emerging scenes in Delhi and Karachi suggest a recalibration.

In Karachi, young adults gather under watchful cameras, dance beside sports courts, and leave before midnight. In Delhi, they chant centuries-old verses over electronic beats, sipping chai instead of cocktails.

A generation navigating pandemic aftershocks, economic pressures, and digital fatigue appears less interested in chaos and more invested in connection. They are building social spaces that promise energy without excess, belonging without risk, and celebration without secrecy.

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