Drinking the bar dry: a third of pub visits are now alcohol-free, research shows

You might find it hard to believe with pubs swaying in the sun, but the temptation to sink a pint is fading – as research shows nearly a third of all pub visits now take place alcohol free.

And the trend toward lower alcohol consumption extends to restaurants, too, with 37 percent of dining out trips and 29 percent of pub visits without booze, according to a report by research firm KAM and beer producer Lucky Saint.

The figures come amid wider reductions in alcohol consumption in the UK in recent years, many of which are for health reasons. In 2019, the NHS 60 percent of adults drank up to 14 units per week. But the latest survey showed that 55 percent of British drinkers consume less than 10 units of alcohol per week.

Katy Moses, managing director of KAM, said: ‘The growth in popularity of the alcohol-free category is not primarily driven by those who never drink alcohol, but rather by the sheer number of Britons who simply want to moderate their intake and are looking to a delicious alternative.’

A large number of large brewers, including Heineken and Budweiser, have grown into non-alcoholic beers in recent years.

Luke Boase, founder of the non-alcoholic lager brand Lucky Saint, said he believes we are on the cusp of ‘a cultural shift in our attitude to drinking in the UK’.

The company said it has seen comparable 180 percent growth since the start of 2021, amid a surge in demand after hospitality businesses resumed growth after the pandemic.

He said: ‘Spain, France and Germany all have at least five times the market share for few and no (alcoholic) options compared to the UK.

‘Consumers want taste and quality, but historically there is no product that matches that.

‘We need to rethink what we understand as a ‘non-drinker’ in the UK. Those who act quickly to tap into this market in the UK will see huge rewards for years to come.”