Christmas Eve No Longer A Big Night Out.

[jake 10]

When I were't lad and first starting going to the pub (mid 80s)  Christmas Eve was the second biggest night of the year (NYE being the big one). Places were rammed and busy local pubs would lock their doors early when they were full. That doesnt really seem to happen so much any more. I usually meet a few friends after work (slacking off early) on Xmas eve and many of the city centre pubs close at 6pm. That suits me fine these days - but I was curious when/why things changed?

[abbeyedges 82]

Pubs are now more expensive.

Drink driving (which is obviously a good thing).

Cheaper booze from supermarkets.

Smoking ban. 

Don't think people socialise face to face as much these days in relation to socialising via social media.

Pubs are not really offering anything different nowadays from what they were offering in the 1970's. 

[jaffa1 10]

I've  found this too in the last few years.

We use to have to get to the pub for 7- 30pm or you would never get a seat, now it seems people go out much earlier say 5pm and by 10pm they are empty. Our local last New Years Eve was heaving at 6-30pm but at 10pm it was empty and the landlord was scratching his head , he said he couldn't  understand how drinking habits have changed.

[catmiss 12]

I don’t think our drinking habits have changed just abbeyedges analysis resulting in local pubs not appealing to people anymore. For years my local provided a “turn” on Saturday night which brought in the punters and guaranteed a ticket only Xmas and New Years Eve full house- turn, no taxi and party. Above points and nearby new cut price chain meant no revenue for turn so fall in customers

[Anna B 1,401]

Too expensive? Add in the cost of a taxi home and it's a dear night. Home entertainment has improved perhaps, with box sets, films etc on tap, and then there's the ubiquitous phone apps. People seem to be getting out of the habit of being social which is rather worrying.

[smithy266 21]

Cheap supermarket drinks, more rubbish on tv...

[Guest makapaka]

11 hours ago, jake said:

When I were't lad and first starting going to the pub (mid 80s)  Christmas Eve was the second biggest night of the year (NYE being the big one). Places were rammed and busy local pubs would lock their doors early when they were full. That doesnt really seem to happen so much any more. I usually meet a few friends after work (slacking off early) on Xmas eve and many of the city centre pubs close at 6pm. That suits me fine these days - but I was curious when/why things changed?

cos the pubs end up full of divs who can’t drink.

[PRESLEY 1,222]

Remember this year theres the weekend before xmas eve this year. Most people will have drank and done their brains in on friday and sat and are probably now skint.  

[jake 10]

Thanks for all your thoughts.. I was thinking specifically of Xmas Eve rather than the decline of the pub in general. That's another story.. though there are plenty of pubs that are full throughout the year. It's definitely not for me, but West Street is rammed every weekend but closes at 6 tonight.. that was my main gist.

2 minutes ago, PRESLEY said:

Remember this year theres the weekend before xmas eve this year. Most people will have drank and done their brains in on friday and sat and are probably now skint.  

True.. maybe Xmas Eve has just shifted to " mad Friday".. which never used to be a thing.. probably a good thing.. as for about ten years I was too hungover to enjoy my Xmas dinner!

[PRESLEY 1,222]

I think the majority of parents stay in xmas eve for the kids early rising next morning and  to get dinner sorted both task dont suit hangovers.  New years eve is where most converge and ram boozers, thats why  I give it a miss, no fun stood ten deep waiting to get served, it takes that long to get served I just cant understand how some of the twits you see knockin about get so drunk. 

[hobinfoot 25]

8 hours ago, Anna B said:

Too expensive? Add in the cost of a taxi home and it's a dear night. Home entertainment has improved perhaps, with box sets, films etc on tap, and then there's the ubiquitous phone apps. People seem to be getting out of the habit of being social which is rather worrying.

True Anna. 

[Guest]

Or simply that people have cut back on drinking or gone alcohol free.

 

It's no surprise Diageo invested in a non alcoholic spirit company called Sandsip (or something).

 

No different to how some have stopped smoking or gone to vaping. 

 

My brother in law was a senior executive at Heineken and he was driving the non alcoholic beer they produced- as company saw trends changing.