British pubs have been the beating heart and primary social hubs for large and small communities throughout the country for generations. Pubs, taverns, and Inns have acted as catalysts for loving relationships and life-long friendships and have created habits that have evolved into traditions. However, many of these traditions could be heading for extinction, possibly disappearing within a single generation.
What the Data tells us
You can forget two pints of lager and a packet of crisps. According to a new survey, many modern Brits under thirty will be more likely to opt for a pint of COKE when visiting their local.
In addition, the research also revealed that there are many more pub traditions in the Gen Z Brit firing line, including patterned carpets (33%), pork scratchings (32%), vending machines in loos (23%), and classic pub fare such as chicken in a basket (21%). Also out of fashion with the younger generation are Pool tables, pickled onions, fruit machines, and dry-roasted peanuts.
For the younger generation, a pint of Coke (24%) is the top drink order, with (52%) of all ages surveyed saying they prefer Coca-Cola to Pepsi (33%).
According to the research commissioned by Premierline, people under the age of thirty are most likely to order a soft drink, with one in four (24%) saying they always opt for a non-alcoholic beverage when they go to the pub.
However, although carbonated drinks are seemingly hugely popular, Cider (27%) is still a firm favourite, alongside craft lagers (18%), locally distilled vodkas (14%) and gins (12%).
Snack-wise, one in ten (11%) can’t turn down a charcuterie board, while loaded nachos (23%), sweet potato wedges (32%), mozzarella sticks (30%), and bowls of olives (10%) are among the top choices.
It’s no surprise that almost half (48%) of 18–29-year-olds agree that pubs have changed for the better, with the modern generation gladly waving goodbye to the sticky floors (32%) of their parent’s generation.
One in three (33%) thinks the selection of drinks has improved, while 42 per cent say the food is now much better. A fifth (19%) puts the improvement down to a change in clientele, while one in four (24%) believe the atmosphere is better than ever.
On the flip side, four in ten (40%) of those aged over sixty think pubs have become worse over the years.
When it comes to food and snacks, Gen Z’s favourite items are chicken wings (36%), sweet potato wedges (32%), and garlic flatbreads (26%), along with burgers (23%) and fish and chips (26%).
For the over-60s, chips (48%) remain the go-to, followed by fish and chips (46%), beef and ale pie (37%), scampi and fries (28%), and salted peanuts (26%).
Yet, 68 per cent of Brits of all ages believe the pub is a British institution, with 35 per cent admitting it is the best place to chat and catch up with friends. A third (33%) say that going to the pub is one of their favourite things to do with friends.
On average, Brits go to the pub five times a month, with Gen Z going the most (six times) and over 60s (four) the least.
Even though the nation loves the boozer, more than two-thirds (67%) think it is expensive—with the average cost per drink now standing at £5.20—leading to 46 per cent cutting back the number of times they go a month. Despite this, over half (55%) are sad to see so many pubs and bars being forced to close.
Rebecca Leversidge, Marketing Manager at Premierline, who commissioned the research, said, “It’s clear that the pub remains an integral part of British life and occupies an invaluable place in our hearts.
“While it seems there are plenty of different opinions across the generations, such as Gen Z preferring soft drinks and craft beer to traditional lagers, the majority of UK pubgoers still enjoy the experience of going to the pub with friends.
We’re in the same group as the 55 per cent of Brits who are sad to see pubs close down, which is why our specialist pub insurance exists to help pubs thrive. Our experts will help create the perfect insurance package for your pub, so you don’t have to stress over the finer details. The extensive coverage will provide peace of mind, covering areas such as business interruptions, public and employee liability, property cover and more, allowing your pub to operate without any hiccups!”
The research also found that 47% of Brits favour the recent trend of queueing to order a drink, in contrast to the third (33%) who prefer waiting at the bar instead.
The British Pub Traditions Most at Risk
Pickled eggs: 60% (of Gen Z Brits say they’re outdated)
Pickled onions: 49%
Sticky floors: 44%
Patterned carpets: 33%
Pork scratchings: 32%
Dartboards: 31%
Fruit machines: 28%
Jukeboxes: 27%
Snooker/pool tables: 24%
Vending machines in loos: 23%
Chicken in a basket: 21%
Beer mats: 17%
Packets of crisps: 17%
Dry roasted peanuts: 16%
Ham, eggs and chips: 15%
Scampi fries: 15%
Live bands: 12%
Ginger ale: 12%
Sports on the big telly: 9%
Lager: 7%
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