> had to struggle to find a non alcoholic drink for them
I mean, if that's his point then ok. But I doubt that he is having difficulty finding water or coke on these events.
Yeah maybe he isn't happy with the plain non alcoholic options, which I agree makes sense. But any bar can make you a bitters and soda, or a seltzer with lime or any number of other drinks.
If it's a beer and wine social, because they don't want to deal with mixing anything, I do think it's an oversight on their part to not at least have some kind of soda options.
Following your example, their experience would be akin of having a lunch event at a work event were they only had pork for eating when chances are that in the group there are probably some vegans/vegetarians or people that due to religious belief abstain from eating it. The argument is not that you shouldn't have pork. Is that you should also have some more options.