One in five bartenders never touch booze, surprising new poll finds

11 May 2024 , 16:52

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TikTok star Millie Gooch wrote a book about quitting drinking at age 26

One in five bar staff never touch booze, a poll reveals.

The survey of 1,000 pint-pullers found 21% swerve their own wares, suggesting almost 100,000 nationwide, mostly under-25, are teetotal. Experts cite a trend of younger folk ditching booze or adopting a “sober-curious” lifestyle with periods of abtsinence. Of those who did not touch a drop, 61% were aged 18 to 25, 22% were 26 to 40 and 17% over 40.

Jessica Leoni of dating site illictencounters.com, which commissioned the survey, said: “We are seeing a culture shift when it comes to alcohol and it affects everyone, even bar workers.” A separate NHS poll found a third of 18 to 24s, known as Gen Z, never or almost never drink. TikTok star Millie Gooch, who wrote a book on staying sober after quitting drink at 26, said: “Gen Z and Millennials are the first generations to question why are we just doing this thing that’s always been done.”

Meanwhile, JD Wetherspoon, which has more than 800 pubs, has reported increasing sales when elsewhere struggling landlords are calling last orders and closing. It said takings rose by more than 5% year-on-year in the 13 weeks to the end of April, partly because of the craze for the stout.

Founder Tim Martin, 69, said: “The gods of fashion have smiled upon Guinness, previously consumed by blokes my age, but now widely adopted by younger generations.” Vampire singer Rodrigo, 21, has been pictured sipping the black stuff and wrote “Guinness Is Good 4U” on her vest for a Dublin gig last week.

Widow brings pillow with late husband's face on it to pub every New Year's Eve

Mr Martin added demand for cask beer – including his favourite Abbot Ale – was recovering after taking a dive in the pandemic. Wetherspoons has done well by keeping its pubs busy all day, including at breakfast. Lavazza coffee for an average £1.56 a cup has also been a big hit, with Mr Martin joking: “Free refills are thought to be responsible for spontaneous breakdancing among retired customers.”

JD Wetherspoon’s sales since last August are up more than 8%. The company, with a stock market value of more than £900million, expects profits this financial year to be towards the top of what analysts are expecting.

Other pub owners, especially free houses, are battling with soaring costs and changing drinking habits. The British Beer and Pub Association says more than 500 shut for good in 2023. Industry chiefs are hoping this summer’s Euros in Germany will prove a welcome boost.

Stian Alexander