The Next Round: John opened Ghana's first alcohol-free bar

Alcohol affects everyone – no matter who you are or where you’re from. Take John  from Ghana. Sound familiar?

Today, he’s leading the charge for alcohol-free living in Africa – a true trailblazer.

Welcome to the next round, where we dig into the stories that shape us. The journeys that brought people to where they are now.

Like John Asogonnde – who swapped booze and weed in his   for purpose, passion, and change.

We recorded this live during John ’s visit to the UK last autumn — so please excuse  the audio quality!

When John stopped drinking and smoking weed at 24, he didn’t just walk away from substances -he walked into a mission. Five months after taking his last drink, John knew he had changed. He didn’t feel like he was missing out. Instead, he felt sharper, more alert, more present. And he wanted to create a space where others could feel that way too.

That’s how Eden Bar was born -Ghana’s first alcohol-free nightlife experience.

“I wanted to create an experience for people who wanted to go out and still have a good time, get some nice, sophisticated drinks, cocktails, beers and all of that, but not have to deal with the pressure of alcohol.”

Launched on October 2nd, 2022 – World No Alcohol Day – Eden Bar started as a one-day pop-up. John raised money from friends and family after being roasted online for even suggesting the idea. But the launch was a success. Word spread fast, and John knew he was onto something bigger.

“There were so many people that came through, the news spread across social media and everything. From there, we were able to do the actual Eden Bar later in December, and that’s what we’ve been building on till date.”

John’s journey to sobriety was a long one. He started drinking at 13, not because he liked the taste – his first drink was a 40% spirit that gave him a hangover the next day – but because he liked the way it made him feel.

“It gave me a false sense of confidence. I was able to move along smoothly in the party scene… It was like an elixir to make me feel more alive.”

By the time he reached university, drinking and smoking weed had become daily habits. His grades collapsed. Once a first-class student, he failed every course in his second year.

“My hostel became a party headquarters. We didn’t do anything apart from party.”

Even after relocating to a different hostel, the habits stayed. And when he graduated, he went straight into Ghana’s nightlife industry, managing a nightclub for a popular musician. The access to substances was constant – and partaking was expected.

“This was a job where even on a Monday morning, I could go to the office, roll up a joint and smoke.”

But inside, he was miserable. The high never lasted. The low always deepened. He started to rebuild from the inside out – with faith, family, books, long walks, and intention.

You can follow John on @edenbargh but a hard copy of his book on https://joinclubsoda.com/product/john-asogonnde-unchained-book/

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Transcript

Alcohol affects everyone – no matter who you are or where you’re from. Take John  from Ghana. Sound familiar?

Today, he’s leading the charge for alcohol-free living in Africa – a true trailblazer.

Welcome to the next round, where we dig into the stories that shape us. The journeys that brought people to where they are now.

Like John Asogonnde – who swapped booze and weed in his   for purpose, passion, and change.

We recorded this live during John ’s visit to the UK last autumn — so please excuse  the audio quality!

When John stopped drinking and smoking weed at 24, he didn’t just walk away from substances -he walked into a mission. Five months after taking his last drink, John knew he had changed. He didn’t feel like he was missing out. Instead, he felt sharper, more alert, more present. And he wanted to create a space where others could feel that way too.

That’s how Eden Bar was born -Ghana’s first alcohol-free nightlife experience.

“I wanted to create an experience for people who wanted to go out and still have a good time, get some nice, sophisticated drinks, cocktails, beers and all of that, but not have to deal with the pressure of alcohol.”

Launched on October 2nd, 2022 – World No Alcohol Day – Eden Bar started as a one-day pop-up. John raised money from friends and family after being roasted online for even suggesting the idea. But the launch was a success. Word spread fast, and John knew he was onto something bigger.

“There were so many people that came through, the news spread across social media and everything. From there, we were able to do the actual Eden Bar later in December, and that’s what we’ve been building on till date.”

John’s journey to sobriety was a long one. He started drinking at 13, not because he liked the taste – his first drink was a 40% spirit that gave him a hangover the next day – but because he liked the way it made him feel.

“It gave me a false sense of confidence. I was able to move along smoothly in the party scene… It was like an elixir to make me feel more alive.”

By the time he reached university, drinking and smoking weed had become daily habits. His grades collapsed. Once a first-class student, he failed every course in his second year.

“My hostel became a party headquarters. We didn’t do anything apart from party.”

Even after relocating to a different hostel, the habits stayed. And when he graduated, he went straight into Ghana’s nightlife industry, managing a nightclub for a popular musician. The access to substances was constant – and partaking was expected.

“This was a job where even on a Monday morning, I could go to the office, roll up a joint and smoke.”

But inside, he was miserable. The high never lasted. The low always deepened. He started to rebuild from the inside out – with faith, family, books, long walks, and intention.

“I missed so many years with my younger siblings… it’s something I can never get back again, because during the time they were growing up, I was always just in town getting high.”

He began repairing relationships. He spent time with his sisters. He exercised. He read constantly. Slowly, the habits that once defined him were replaced with ones that healed him.

“Anytime I had the urge to smoke, I’d just take a long walk, breathing in fresh air, looking at the plants. That was really helpful.”

Then came the breakthrough: passing a joint without taking a puff. That moment cemented his transformation.

“I just took it to the next guy. And I knew – it’s over.”

Creating a New Culture in Ghana

His transformation inspired a bigger idea: Why should people have to choose between fun and sobriety? Why not have both?

He tapped into his design skills and passion for entertainment to launch Eden Bar. But it isn’t just a business – it was a personal rebellion against a culture that equates celebration with intoxication.

“Even people that go to traditional bars – at least 50% of them do not drink alcohol. That means they are also looking for something better.”

The challenge was massive. Importing alcohol-free spirits to Ghana was expensive. Funding was hard to find. People didn’t get it. But John pressed on.

“Because the idea came from a place of personal conviction… I didn’t let any of the roadblocks stop me.”

Now, he’s looking beyond Eden Bar. He’s working with Ghana’s mental health authority to provide more support for people dealing with addiction. He’s mentoring. He’s visiting schools and rehabs. And he’s dreaming even bigger.

“One of my visions is to actually have Eden Bar in every African country… Lagos, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, all over.”

The Next Round

For John, the next round isn’t about another drink. It’s about the next chapter – one filled with clarity, connection, and purpose.

“Clarity of mind was just different. I could remember things more. I became more alert. More deep.”

And he’s not just living this new life— he’s making space for others to join him. One sober celebration at a time.