Better Late Than Never: Parties, Pride, and (Almost) No Mocktails

-

Whew! Another crazy week. It feels like it never stops! I’ve been running on empty lately, trying to juggle way too many events, parties, and late nights. Between family plans, social gatherings, and a few too many “just one more stop” evenings, I barely had time to breathe, let alone sip on a proper mocktail. Spoiler alert: I struck out on creative drinks this week, but the memories and laughter were worth every minute!

A Night at Juliano’s in Egg Harbor Township

We kicked things off at Juliano’s in Egg Harbor Township, one of our favorite neighborhood spots. The food is always on point– hearty, flavorful, and consistent. The vibe? Classic local bar energy, ya know, relaxed, friendly, and always buzzing.

Here’s the catch: no mocktail menu. If you ask for a non-alcoholic drink, you’ll likely end up with a Shirley Temple. Which, don’t get me wrong, has its charm, but I love when bartenders get creative with mocktails. This isn’t that kind of place, and that’s okay! Juliano’s is where people come for comfort food, cold beer, and good conversation, not craft drinks. Still, it’s a reliable go-to when you want a low-key night out.

Dancing Under the Rainbow: The AC Pride Fundraiser

Next up was the AC Pride “Dancing Under the Rainbow” Fundraiser at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s glamorous Hollywood Ballroom. Think: giant chandeliers, a glowing dance floor, and an atmosphere filled with joy and pride. It was like Dancing Under the Stars, but with extra sparkle and meaning.

My childhood friend and I volunteered for the event, and it was absolutely fabulous. The night was packed with dancing, raffles, live entertainment, and endless snacks. Even better, the event raised over $60,000 for AC Pride, which supports LGBTQ+ scholarships and community events throughout Atlantic City. Their mission to build a safer, more inclusive world is one I’m proud to support.

Mocktails were nowhere to be found, but a ginger ale on the rocks did the trick while I hit the dessert table (twice… maybe three times). We even caught up with Heather and her dance partner for a quick photo after their amazing performance. Cheers to them and to AC Pride for making a difference in style!

A Wedding Weekend at Renault Winery

We wrapped up the week at a beautiful wedding at Renault Winery, one of South Jersey’s most iconic venues. Fun fact: I actually dreamed of having my wedding there once upon a time! Even though it’s gone through renovations and ownership changes over the years, it’s still as stunning as ever.

The night started with a heartfelt ceremony, followed by an energetic cocktail hour, a delicious dinner, and an after-party that went way past my bedtime. The best part? I actually found some mocktail options — a refreshing cranberry spritz and a sweet pineapple-sprite combo. Simple, but delightful!

The food was fantastic, the energy was electric, and the setting was picture-perfect. We bowed out after the cake, but I’m already planning to head back for their Renault Winery Vinter Wonderland this holiday season. A festive outdoor village with fire pits, s’mores, and ice skating. (Confession: I can’t skate to save my life, but I’ll never say no to toasted marshmallows and cozy vibes!)

Wrapping It Up

It was a whirlwind week — filled with parties, friends, laughter, and love… just light on mocktails.

Next weekend is shaping up to be just as exciting with Veterans Day celebrations, family dinners, and a freezing Eagles game at the Linc. So posts might be a little late, but I promise more mocktail reviews (and maybe some hot cocoa content) soon!

Huge shoutout to all our incredible veterans and especially to my big, strong military man, Joe! 💚

Until next time,
 The Sober Party Girl 🍸✨

I would also like to add a quick SHOUT OUT to the Windjammer in Somers Point. I have recently learned they have closed their doors after serving the area for over a decade. We learned about the Mingle Mocktail brand from them and they were previous Herotini Mocktail Winners. We wish them all the best, good vibes, and many parties!


Location: Egg Harbor Township, NJ, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Landing Point Tavern: Worth Every Minute of the Wait

-
Image
If you’ve ever driven down Somers Point–Mays Landing Road, you know it’s lined with local legends like Sugar Hill Subs, The Inn at Sugar Hill, and now… a brand-new name ready to earn its spot on that list. After months of “coming soon” signs and pushed-back opening dates, Landing Point Tavern finally flipped on their lights. And yes, it was absolutely worth the wait. Joe dragged himself home after a long day of work, still fighting off a stubborn cold, craving one thing: comfort food. The night before, we had noticed that the old Riverside Tavern, one of his favorite pool hangouts, had reopened with a fresh new look. And we love checking out new spots, so off we went. First Impressions We pulled up to a glowing sign that read: “Landing Point Tavern – Now Open. Serving Lunch & Dinner.” A major upgrade from the dreaded “coming soon.” The parking lot was packed, which is always a good sign. We parked in the back where Joe reminisced about making that exact walk “a hundred times” i...
Read more

A Toast to the Hero Campaign: Mocktail Magic at Josie Kelly’s

-
Image
It’s officially Herotini Season in Atlantic County—one of my favorite parts of summer! Hosted by the HERO Campaign, this annual challenge invites local restaurants to craft creative mocktails while raising money to promote designated driving. The community votes for their favorites with a donation, making it a fun and meaningful way to support a vital cause.  The Hero Campaign was started by Bill and Muriel Elliott after their son,  John R. Eliott was killed in a head-on collision with a drunk driver 2 months after graduating from the US Naval Academy. You can read all about their story and efforts at www.herocampaign.org. This year, I drove to Josie Kelly’s Public House in Somers Point to enjoy their HEROtini Happy Hour. As soon as you walked into the party room a group of jovial volunteers were there to greet you. I signed in at the table and bought my raffle tickets. Bill and Muriel Elliott welcomed me to the event as I walked in. It’s thanks to their hard work and dedicati...
Read more

Holiday Havoc Means Merry Mocktails!

-
Image
  It’s almost Christmas, which means the holiday chaos is officially in full swing. The closer Santa gets, the louder, busier, and more caffeinated we all become. This is your friendly reminder to pause, take a breath, and pour yourself a mocktail. That’s exactly the vibe I was chasing. Wanting to stay close to home, we made a quick trip to Mays Landing to check out Freddy J’s —a small bar with a constantly packed parking lot and a very impressive 4.7-star Google rating. We had stopped by once when it first opened and weren’t totally sold, but hey, everyone deserves a second chance. So I grabbed a couple of friends, said a little prayer to the parking gods, and we went for it. As soon as we walked into the very festively decorated bar, we realized it was karaoke night , and it was packed . There were signs advertising trivia too, so if you’re into entertainment, Freddy J’s definitely keeps the calendar full. After a few loud minutes of awkwardly standing around, staff shouted som...
Read more