‘Death of the pub spherical’ as younger revellers refuse to purchase their mates a drink
Data shows Gen Z boozers went to the bar more often and spent less while older customers went to the bar fewer times but spent more each time, leading to the assumption they don’t buy in rounds
Richard Whitaker always buys in rounds with his pals(Image: Supplied)
The tradition of getting a round in is in danger of dying off as hard-up young pubgoers are just buying their own drink at the bar.
The average Gen Z customer made a larger number of smaller transactions during the World Cup than older age groups, recently revealed data shows. And it is a trend pubgoers and licencees have noticed with queues forming at bars as they buy a drink at a time.
Veteran pintsman Richard Whitaker, 64, said he had always bought in rounds with his pals since he started drinking in pubs in his youth, but had noticed it is becoming less common among younger drinkers.
Richard Whitaker says he and his pals drink in rounds(Image: Supplied)
He said: “If I’m having a drink with the lads, I’d buy them a drink and they’d reciprocate. I have one friend who goes mental if someone goes to the bar and it’s not their turn, it’s just the done thing.
“I think it is less prominent now, there are still people who drink together, but it’s not as common as it used to be. You see young kids in the pub these days and they just buy their own drink and go back to the table. Maybe it’s a generational thing.”
Izzy Hawksworth, 23, said nobody in her friend group buys in rounds as some like more expensive drinks and others sup theirs a bit quicker.
Izzy Hawksworth, 23, says nobody in her peer group buys in rounds(Image: Supplied)
It comes as it emerged more than 40% of 25-year-olds are now living with their parents as the cost of living crisis bites younger people. Analysts say people in their 20s are facing a tougher start to adulthood than any generation in almost half a century.
Izzy, of Sheffield, South Yorks., added: “I definitely think it’s a little outdated to buy in rounds but I guess it does make sense if everyone is ordering the same drink. It’s just so much easier to buy your own drink when you want one.
“I do think you could be worse off if you were buying more expensive drinks. It’s like when people order 3 courses and champagne and then you only have a main and then they want to split the bill.”
However, there is hope yet for the time-honoured tradition as fellow Gen Z Hattie Dogus said she and her pals still get the drinks in for each other.
Hattie, 22, of Warrington, Cheshire, said: “We buy in rounds or we’ll get a bottle of wine to share. It costs an arm and a leg, though. You can’t get a round for less than £25 these days. It can be expensive, so I understand why some people don’t.”
Morag Douglas, licensee of the Star in Burntisland and the Scottish spokesperson for the Campaign for Pubs, said the trend added to queues at the bar.
Buying a round of drinks is a pub tradition(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
She said: “It is really encouraging to see young people coming to the pub and socialising and engaging with the wider pub community. As a rule they are a pleasure to welcome in and provide hope for the future of pubs.
“However it would be nice if they could learn from the older clientele the concept of buying a round or putting in to a ‘kitty’ and not creating a queue waiting to be served.
“Anyway, it’s great that so many younger people do enjoy the pub and hopefully this is something that they can learn the more they enjoy it!”
