I have had an experience similar to Sassy--what started out as forced, uncomfortable, and difficult form me in terms of "sober socializing" has become better than before when I drank.
The biggest thing is I listen a lot more and talk much less. I ask people questions, and follow up with comments and more questions, and actually focus on their answers, making eye contact, and really being there in the moment. I didn't do that nearly as much when I drank. I wanted to be witty, make people laugh, and that has become far less important to me in sobriety.
I think I have very few social connections these days, but the ones I have are actually meaningful and not as superficial. I like it better.