The bar business is always changing, with new trends and developments appearing quickly.
It goes without saying that the COVID-19 pandemic brought about unheard-of change, compelling many bar owners to reevaluate their business models.
To stay competitive and make wise decisions, bar owners and operators should stay up to date on the most recent statistics and trends in the business, which still has a lot of untapped potential.
Bar owners and operators are at the vanguard of creativity and experimentation, even if they choose not to serve alcohol at all these days. They create inventive takes on classic cocktails and match food and drinks in novel ways.
Learn everything there is to know about the latest trends in the bar sector in this article, including changes in market size, consumer patterns, and operational insights, as well as trends related to food and drink.
General alcohol trends for bars
General alcohol trends for bars can vary depending on the region and consumer demographics. However, there are some overarching trends that are worth noting:
Craft Beer:
Craft beer continues to be a popular choice among consumers, with many bars offering a wide selection of local and artisanal brews. Consumers are increasingly interested in trying new and unique beer styles, leading to a rise in popularity of small-batch and specialty beers.
Cocktail Culture:
The popularity of craft cocktails has soared in recent years, with many bars focusing on creating innovative and high-quality cocktails using premium spirits and fresh ingredients. Classic cocktails with a modern twist are particularly popular, as well as creative and visually appealing drinks.
Health-Conscious Choices:
As consumers become more health-conscious, there is a growing demand for low-calorie and low-sugar options. Bars are responding by offering lighter and healthier drink options, such as low-alcohol cocktails, spiked seltzers, and organic spirits.
Non-Alcoholic Beverages:
The market for non-alcoholic beverages has seen significant growth, driven by consumers who are looking for alternatives to traditional alcoholic drinks. Bars are expanding their non-alcoholic drink menus to include a variety of options, such as mocktails, alcohol-free beers, and craft sodas.
Local and Sustainable Choices:
There is a growing preference among consumers for locally sourced and sustainable products, including alcoholic beverages. Bars are increasingly sourcing their spirits, beers, and wines from local producers and are incorporating sustainability into their business practices.
Premiumization:
Consumers are willing to pay more for high-quality and premium alcoholic beverages, leading to a trend of premiumization in the industry. Bars are offering a range of premium and luxury spirits, wines, and beers to cater to this demand.
Some Americans are still drinking — especially millennials
Many Americans, particularly millennials, still drink alcohol despite changing drinking patterns and growing interest in healthier options. A recent survey found that 40% of Americans between the ages of 35 and 44 drink at least half the time they dine out. Younger demographics are also generating more demand; according to 23% of 25- to 34-year-olds, they always drink when they eat out. These figures show that many Americans still associate drinking with dining out, which emphasizes how important it is for bars to provide this group of customers with interesting drink selections and dining experiences.
Hard seltzer is the most popular alcohol for NFL Sundays
Popularity of hard seltzer has grown, particularly on NFL Sundays. Hard seltzer has the most increase in average items sold on Sundays during the NFL season, according to data, with a 47% rise over out-of-season sales. This trend indicates that a lot of customers choose lighter, more refreshing drinks like hard seltzer when they watch football games, which emphasizes how important it is for bars to provide a wide range of drink alternatives to accommodate various tastes.
Wine orders pull a triple on Valentine’s Day
Wine orders jump significantly on Valentine's Day, up 242% over the daily average. This spike in wine orders suggests that a lot of individuals, whether they're ordering in or dining out, prefer wine as their preferred beverage to commemorate the event. In order to draw in Valentine's Day diners, bars and restaurants can profit from this trend by providing unique wine selections or promos.
Those not drink are often women and younger guests
It's noteworthy that many customers of restaurants and bars, especially ladies and younger visitors, decide not to consume alcohol. An American survey conducted by we found that 17% of people never order alcohol when they eat out, and that women are nearly twice as likely as males to not drink (21% vs. 12%). This trend emphasizes how crucial it is for bars and restaurants to have a wide variety of non-alcoholic beverage options in order to satisfy these customers and provide them a positive eating experience.
Consider your setting when planning your drink menu
It's important to keep your bar or restaurant's environment in mind when creating your drink menu. Distinctive food presentations and drink selections are appropriate for various environments and moods. Here are some important things to think about:
Time of Day: Offer a variety of drinks suitable for different times of the day. For example, consider offering coffee and tea in the morning, transitioning to cocktails and spirits in the evening.
Food Pairing: Your drink menu should complement your food menu. Offer drinks that pair well with your dishes to enhance the dining experience.
Vibe of the Establishment: The drinks you offer should align with the overall vibe and theme of your bar or restaurant. For example, a casual sports bar may focus on beer and cocktails, while a high-end cocktail bar may offer a more extensive list of craft cocktails.
Seasonal and Local Ingredients: Incorporating seasonal and local ingredients into your drink menu can add a unique twist to your offerings and appeal to customers looking for fresh and innovative options.
Customer Preferences: Consider your target demographic and their preferences when designing your drink menu. Offer a mix of classic favorites and new, trendy options to appeal to a wide range of customers.
How can operators put it all together
Putting together the various trends and insights in the bar industry can help operators create a successful and competitive business. Here are some key strategies for integrating these trends:
Focus on Customer Experience: Enhance the customer experience by offering unique and memorable experiences, such as live music, trivia nights, or special events. Use social media to engage with customers and promote your offerings.
Menu Innovation: Create a drink and food menu that reflects current trends, such as craft cocktails, gourmet bar food, and non-alcoholic options. Consider seasonal and local ingredients to add a unique twist to your offerings.
Partnerships and Collaborations: Collaborate with non-competing businesses to offer joint promotions or events. This can help attract new customers and increase market share.
Technology and Automation: Utilize technology, such as point-of-sale systems built for bars, to streamline operations and improve efficiency. This can help you achieve and sustain growth over time.
Stay Informed and Adapt: Continuously monitor industry trends and consumer preferences to stay ahead of the curve. Be willing to adapt your offerings and strategies to meet changing demands.
Methodology
1. Popularity of Alcoholic Beverages by State
Data Collection: Analyzed transactions from a cohort of restaurants on the platform from April 1, 2023, to June 30, 2023. The cohort consisted of same-store customers on the platform since Q1 2022 that served alcohol.
Analysis: The popularity of beer, wine, cider, hard seltzer, vodka, tequila, whiskey, gin, rum, and brandy per restaurant location was determined for all 50 U.S. states in Q2 2023.
2. Blind Survey on Drinking Habits
Data Collection: A blind survey was conducted on January 24, 2024, with 850 U.S. adults ages 25 and older. Respondents were not made aware that was fielding the study.
Analysis: Using a standard margin of error calculation, at a confidence interval of 95%, the margin of error on average is +/- 3 - 5%.
3. NFL Sunday Sales Trends
Data Collection: Sales data from all 30 U.S. cities that host an NFL football team was aggregated.
Analysis: This report uncovers key trends across the restaurant industry, including the impact of NFL Sundays on sales of different alcoholic beverages.
4. Valentine’s Day Sales Trends
Data Collection: Sales data from a selection of 11 U.S. cities was aggregated.
Analysis: This report uncovers key trends across the restaurant industry, including the impact of Valentine’s Day on sales of food items and alcoholic beverages.
Disclaimer
Only general informative purposes are served by this information, and publication does not imply endorsement. It disclaims all liability regarding the correctness or accuracy of any text, graphics, links, or other materials included in this content. Results may differ for each individual. It makes no guarantees about the results you will get from following any of the recommendations on this page. For advice relevant to your circumstances, it could be wise for you to speak with a professional such a lawyer, accountant, or business counselor. The operational performance of It or its disclosed financial metrics are not represented in this report.
