While younger generations are drinking less, adults aged 50 to 64 are drinking more, causing a shift reshaping the US bar scene

While younger generations are drinking less, adults aged 50 to 64 are drinking more, causing a shift reshaping the US bar scene

Alcohol consumption has decreased across the United States in recent years, particularly among adults under age 40, but there is one older demographic in which more people are drinking than before the Covid-19 pandemic – and more are doing so heavily, according to a new study.

For the first time since before the pandemic, the percentage of US adults who drink any alcohol decreased between 2022 and 2024, according to the report in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. People from 50 to 64, which roughly corresponds with gen X, were the only age group in which drinking continued to increase.

They are likely hurting their health by imbibing, according to the latest science, but they are also helping keep open bars. Such businesses have struggled as younger generations, the drivers of nightlife, move away from booze.

  • myyass@lemmy.world
    24·
    11 hours ago

    Nobody is lining up for the $14 six pack at the grocery store. I’m not exaggerating, I’ve even cut back simply because I can’t justify the cost. I’m not paying a %50 increase for the same beer I bought six years ago.

    • notgold@aussie.zoneEnglish
      11·
      10 hours ago

      $14 six pack is a bargain here. Most 4 packs are $25 in Australia. Steak night at the pub is strange as your beer costs more than your steak.

      • myyass@lemmy.world
        8·
        10 hours ago

        It’s not. In comparison it’s about the same. The local minimum wage here is about $15, and federal is an astounding $7.25 where as yours is around $25. I’m just using the figures to say either way you have to work for at least an hour to get beer. A four pack of nice actual beer is $20-25 or more if you like the higher end stuff like the 120 minute IPA it’s $40 for a four pack. I just drink trash now.

        • notgold@aussie.zoneEnglish
          1·
          55 minutes ago

          Mate me too, I only buy cartoons (24packs) of the cheap stuff. Smithys was on sale yesterday for $50 so that’s the poison this week.

        • Tollana1234567@lemmy.today
          1·
          2 hours ago

          i assume you meant the Min wage, yes its that low been for many decades. neither party in the us wants to change it significantly. some states have did thier own increases, but its not enough because COL.

        • notgold@aussie.zoneEnglish
          1·
          57 minutes ago

          Don’t know about that. I know that when I have a steak I’ll usually have a few beers and they make their money back. The steak is just a loss leader.