After thousands of years of drinking alcohol, are humans finally calling it a night? According to a 2025 Gallup poll, only about half of US adults ages 18–34 reported imbibing. That’s a nine-point drop from 2023, and puts it below the drinking rate of middle-aged and older adults (ages 35 and up). The Hangover trilogy seems to be getting less relatable with each passing day.
What’s the deal? There isn’t one big reason why younger adults are steering clear of the hard stuff. It’s more like a multi-ingredient mocktail:
- Gen Z is more likely to believe that moderate drinking is bad for your health, per Gallup.
- Younger Americans aren’t socializing in person as often as they used to. Fewer get-togethers typically mean less drinking.
- Legalized marijuana use, an older legal drinking age, and alcohol’s evolving social reputation could also be having an impact, according to experts who spoke to Time magazine.
Bar Trek: The Next Generation: Bars, nightclubs, and concert venues have had to adjust to Gen Z’s non-drinking habit by offering a wider selection of alcohol-free drinks and focusing more on the vibe than the booze. Bars have also had to contend with Gen Z’s penchant for not opening bar tabs. Why leave your card at the bar when you’re only going to have one or two drinks?
But when people close out more often, bartenders lose time and money. And the establishments, which pay credit card fees on every swipe, lose some of their margin.—BC
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