‘Less about getting wasted’: UK punters go out less, but stay longer
UK consumers are going out less often but making their nights out count by staying longer and trading up, according to new data. Bartenders tell db how the shift toward premium drinks and low-and no-alcohol options is reshaping the hospitality landscape.
The data revealed that while consumers are demonstrating a strong appetite for premium drinks and spending longer periods in venues, overall footfall is declining.
Dwell times rose sharply, up 12.5% year-on-year in the four weeks to the end of August, but occupancy slipped, suggesting that fewer customers are visiting, albeit staying longer when they do, according to the latest Oxford Market Watch report from The Oxford Partnership.
“People are staying out longer and increasingly choosing premium options when they do, but that optimism is offset by a steady erosion of outlet numbers and uneven regional performance,” said Alison Jordan, CEO of The Oxford Partnership.
Opting for premium
This trend has been felt on the ground. Vasile Sicu, head bartender at Manifest Restaurant and Bar in Liverpool has seen guests veer away from ‘over-the-top’ drinking and generic bar experiences, instead seeking quality drinks, healthier options and spaces that feel thoughtful and welcoming.
Speaking to the drinks business, he said: “Craft cocktails, low-alcohol or alcohol-free drinks, and locally made beers are popular because they feel special. Bars with good vibes, cool design, and a sense of story or community are winning over loud, crowded, impersonal spots. It’s less about getting wasted and more about enjoying the night in a fun, meaningful and memorable way.”
This shift aligns with broader market patterns. Premium Lager and World Lager gained share in the last four weeks, up 1.7 percentage points (pp) and 3.9pp respectively. Stout surged an impressive 14.0pp, while traditional categories like Core Lager, World 4% beers, Ale, and Craft beer lost ground.
No and low growth
The no and low alcohol category also continues to grow, with sales jumping 15.9% over the August Bank Holiday weekend – part of a wider movement toward more mindful drinking. Jordan Diamond, restaurant manager at the Forest Side Hotel in Grasmere, noted a clear shift away from high-ABV choices this summer.
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He told db that he predicted the ‘low and no’ movement will grow throughout 2025, with more innovation, like using local produce and infusion techniques, in mocktails.
For Diamond, the challenge for the trade is to balance value and premiumisation, keeping venues attractive for consumers under cost pressure, while capitalising on occasions where people are willing to spend more.
Despite the consumer appetite for premium experiences, structural pressures persist. London and the South East proved resilient, buoyed by tourism and a higher concentration of premium venues. In contrast, Scotland experienced the steepest decline in hospitality outlets, falling 3.0% year-to-date, highlighting the uneven nature of recovery across the UK.
Mixed fortunes across regions
Consumer spending patterns also showed increasing regional polarisation. The South West led drink spend, with a 13.7% increase year-to-date, while the West Midlands recorded a short-term uplift of 7.3%. Scotland also performed well on food spend, up 16.7% year-to-date.
However, Northern Ireland and the North East painted a more cautious picture. Northern Ireland saw a 5.7% decline in drinks spend on a moving annual total (MAT) basis, and the North East experienced double-digit falls in food expenditure.
Even London was not immune to the strain, with food spend down 2.3% in the last four weeks, suggesting tightening consumer budgets for dining out.
The August Bank Holiday offered a brief lift for the sector, with sales up 3.4% on a typical summer weekend. The standout performers were No/Low alcohol drinks and Cider, up 15.9% and 10.1% respectively, while Premium and World Lagers also saw notable uplifts.
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