Soft Supper Club Launches at Erst Bringing Alcohol Free Wine Pairings to Elevated Dining

Alcohol-free wine brand Eisberg, sobriety creator Karl Considine and Michelin-recognised Manchester restaurant Erst are partnering to bring alcohol-free pairing into the fine dining spotlight, with the launch of a new sober supper club designed to challenge how non-alcoholic drinks are treated in restaurants.

Taking place on Sunday, January 25, at Erst in Ancoats, Manchester, the event marks the first edition of Soft Supper Club.

The event aims to demonstrate how alcohol-free choices can sit confidently within fine dining - not just as an alternative, but as a considered pairing in their own right.

The collaboration reflects a wider shift across hospitality, as moderation and alcohol-free options move firmly into the mainstream.

While demand for non-alcoholic drinks continues to grow, many restaurants still struggle to integrate them meaningfully into the dining experience, particularly when wine pairings are central to the offer.

Soft Supper Club addresses that gap by putting alcohol-free drinks at the centre of the meal. Guests will enjoy Erst’s ingredient-led, seasonal cooking served as a series of small, sharing plates, paired throughout with an aperitif, homemade sodas, palate cleansers and Premium alcohol-free wine range, Eisberg Selection - including Blanc de Blancs, Grenache Rose, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio.

For Eisberg, the partnership underlines the increasing role alcohol-free wine is playing on modern wine lists - particularly in premium and fine dining settings.

Dan Harwood, guest sommelier and Managing Director for Eisberg's SW Wines Europe, said: “We’re seeing growing interest from chefs, sommeliers and operators who want alcohol-free options that feel relevant, premium and food-friendly.

“Partnering with Karl and Erst allows us to show that alcohol-free wine can stand up in a Michelin-recognised environment and deliver a genuine pairing experience.”

Sobriety creator and speaker, Karl Considine, said: “Soft Supper Club is about showing that alcohol-free experiences don’t have to feel like a compromise. It’s just good food, good drinks and good company.”

For Erst, the event offers an opportunity to explore how alcohol-free pairings can work alongside its produce-driven, modern cooking, while maintaining the sense of occasion expected from fine dining.

Will Sutton, Co-Founder at Erst, said: “We believe that all of our drinks options should feel exciting, celebratory and aligned with our cooking. As we think more carefully about our relationship to alcohol, Soft Supper Club is a fabulous opportunity to foreground our exploration of no and low alcohol options, alongside our support for drink start-up Fun Softs.”

Hosted by Considine, with alcohol-free wine pairings guided by Dan, the evening will feature communal seating designed to encourage conversation and connection, with a calm, unforced atmosphere that offers a softer alternative to traditional dining and drinking culture.

Soft Supper Club is intended as the first in an ongoing series, with future events planned at different venues across Manchester and beyond.

For the wider industry, the collaboration shows that as alcohol-free continues to rise, restaurants and drinks brands that invest in quality, pairing and experience can meet changing guest expectations without compromising on craft or credibility.