Who we are

Cheers was born from a powerful shared realization by co-founders Bella Cavanaugh and Julia McIntyre: the world lacked a social space where genuine connection thrived without the pressure of alcohol.

Despite our individual commitments to living sober, we both experienced the same profound frustration—the social default was broken. Traditional recovery paths often felt rigid, while every other social opportunity, from happy hours to weddings, forced us to justify our choices. We recognized a significant unmet need.

Two women face each other, smiling and looking into each other's eyes against a plain background.

Solving our own problem

Through countless conversations, we realized this wasn't just our problem; it was a silent challenge shared by millions of Gen Z (young people) and mindful consumers seeking a higher quality of life. This led us to envision a solution built on creativity, trust, and shared interests.

We created Cheers not just as an app, but as the definitive social hub for a new generation. We built the platform we desperately needed—a safe space to pursue interests, find your people, and “cheers” to your best version of yourself.