Misdirection. The problem is the lack of public commons culture and gathering points in the USA. More sane countries have places people gather in the evenings without exploitation or stigma about showing up alone. Our car centric nonsense and sprawl are a massive liability for present environmental and social needs.
Bars aren’t really a great solution. Alcohol has a number of downsides. They’re expensive. They’re often loud.
It would be cool if we had a wider variety of third places.
I might drink alcohol maybe one in a dozen-or-so times I visit a bar. Europeans visit taverns and pubs just like visitting any other restaurant. It would be cool if more Americans had a healthier relationship with alcohol, instead of living like there’s nothing between permanent and/or total inebriation, versus absolute sobriety.