Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Less booze, more moves: Inside Gen Z’s new social scene
The modern pub appeared in the early 19th century in Britain, where
anyone is welcome for drinks and/or food. With drinks, people enjoy
conversation and social interaction at ease. There were around 60,000 pubs in
the UK in 2000, but the number decreased to below 45,000 in 2025, with one closure
in every four pubs in the last 25 years. During this time, there were
significant social and technological changes that affected young people,
especially Gen Z, those born between 1997 and 2012. They have grown up with
smartphones, SNS, and short videos. Many of them don’t think drinking is
essential for social life, and they have other places, such as coffee shops, where they can spend
time comfortably by themselves or with others. For example, the number of
Starbucks outlets increased from 150 in 2000 to over 1,400 in 2025 in the UK. Also,
they have other things to spend their time on, including sports and
smartphoning. Indeed, the COVID pandemic in 2020 considerably affected how they enjoy their personal time. As technological, economic, and sociological environments
change further, we may find it difficult to find pubs in the UK in the future.
Read the article and learn about the changes in young people’s
behaviors and attitudes in the UK.
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