Hi Jil!
I agree with what a lot of people are saying . . . bars are fundamentally organized around the idea of drinking. So concentrate on developing new hobbies, etc, where drinking is either not involved or is only a secondary thing.
I've only been in a bar once since I quit, which certainly felt weird, because it was a place I used to go 1-3 times a week when I was drinking. Without drinking it felt incredibly boring . . . I don't plan to go again. I do organize non-drinking activities with friends -- getting lunch, hanging out more generally, doing crafts projects together . . .
There are occasions where I do have to be around drinking, though -- family holidays, for example (the only way to avoid it would be to separate from my family). It's gotten easier, definitely. So, yes, it will be easier to be around drinking, but I think it's very wise to avoid exposing yourself to those environments until you feel very strong in your recovery.