I don't drink, and this has just never been an issue. I attend at least three academic conferences a year, and many more professional meetings (typically multi-day meetings with clients, sponsors, or partners).

I almost always show up to the receptions. Typically I will order a Coke or a ginger ale. I throw my drinks tickets away. I walk around and talk to people. It's never been awkward. No one has ever told me that they "felt judged" because I wasn't drinking.

I've been doing this for nearly thirty years now. I did it as a grad student. I certainly spent some time in bars, and I've carried my share of drunken grad students home. Even they never indicated that I was judging them. Because, you know, I wasn't.

If for some reason you don't want to be in bars, or around people drinking -- if you are struggling with sobriety -- then sure. I get that. But if you just don't want to drink yourself? Never been a problem.