Experiences are key for the on-premise alcohol sector to break through. This can be achieved by creating a third space focusing on localised food and drink pairings and more healthful…
China
Foodservice
Alcoholic Drinks
simple
China On-Premise Alcohol Trends Report 2025
Experiences are key for the on-premise alcohol sector to break through. This can be achieved by creating a third space focusing on localised food and drink pairings and more healthful low-alcohol drinks to support social drinking.
Rational spending persists, with slow growth in foodservice and alcohol
Graph 1: forecast consumer spending on out-of-home alcoholic drinks, 2019-29
Market factors
Depressed consumer confidence putting alcohol consumption in foodservice channels under pressure
Graph 2: confidence index* for improved financial situation in the next three months, 2020-25
Consumers spending more mindfully on foodservice and alcohol
Graph 3: spending plans across categories, 2025
Graph 4: spending plans across categories – consumers who plan to spend more, 2014 vs 2025
New restrictions on official receptions driving the transformation and upgrade of the industry
Booming night-time economy creating diverse growth opportunities for the bar industry
Enhance travel convenience to boost the development of the night-time economy
Dazi culture: a new socialising and consumption paradigm
Market highlights
New formats: bars are exploring small and fast sales models
New formats: established bar brands launching new concepts and sister bars
New formats: foodservice operations expanding into alcoholic drinks
New formats: non-foodservice crossing over into bars to create a third space
New experiences: bars actively exploring bar+ model, enriching the third space experience
New experiences: the rise of cocktail festivals in Tier 1 cities
New experiences: craft beer festivals continue their penetration of lower-tier markets
New Chinese style: use of regional ingredients and medicinal food ingredients
New Chinese style: diverse pairings of Chinese drinks and regional cuisines
New Chinese style: a richer expression of local cultures
The consumer
Consumer overview
Desire for drinking OOH decreasing, category expansion and creation of third spaces are future trends
Foodservice channels under pressure, with desire for at-home drinking outstripping OOH drinking
Graph 5: consumption frequency, 2025
Men and younger consumers prefer drinking OOH, tap into foodservice market in lower-tier cities
Graph 6: consumption frequency – at on-premise channels, by gender, generation, city tier and region, 2025
Graph 7: consumption frequency – at home, by gender, generation, city tier and region, 2025
Decline in overall desire to drink among high-income consumers
Graph 8: consumption frequency – at home, by monthly personal income, 2025
Graph 9: consumption frequency – at on-premise channels, by monthly personal income, 2025
Expand low-alcohol and non-alcoholic offerings to address consumers’ main concerns
Graph 10: reasons for not purchasing alcoholic drinks OOH, 2025
Health concerns affect Post-1990s and Post-1995s more…
Graph 11: reasons for not purchasing alcoholic drinks OOH, by generation, 2025
…as well as female consumers
Graph 12: reasons for not purchasing alcoholic drinks OOH, by gender, 2025
Alcoholic drink venues have become new emotional value hotspots, with themed fusions led by regional characteristics turning into eye-catching highlights.
As more consumers choose to drink in restaurants, food and drink pairings become more important
Graph 13: choice of on-premise channels for drinking alcohol, 2024-25
Pubs and bars appeal more to female consumers and high-income consumers
Graph 14: choice of on-premise channels, by gender and monthly personal income, 2025
Consumers primarily drink to relax and visit bars and entertainment venues to relieve stress
Graph 15: reasons for drinking OOH, 2025
Younger consumers are more willing to try new bar offerings
Graph 16: reasons for drinking OOH – trying new products, 2025
Focus on experiences for high-frequency consumers
Graph 17: reasons for drinking OOH – seeking unique OOH experiences, by consumption frequency, 2025
Regional characteristics could revitalise local drinks markets
Graph 18: themed drinking venues, 2025
Health themes appeal more to women who focus on wellness
Graph 19: themed drinking venues, by gender, 2025
Clever use of cross-category entertainment collaborations can attract younger consumers
Graph 20: themed drinking venues, by generation, 2025
Entertainment and IP-themed drinking venues
Focus on fashion to increase visit frequency, improve sustainability to enhance consumer stickiness
Graph 21: themed drinking venues, by frequency of OOH drinking, 2025
Fashion and sustainability-themed drinking venues
In the self-indulgence economy, low-alcohol drinks lead in OOH drinking, with shared and solo drinking being equally important
Low-alcohol drinks dominate in foodservice, fruit-based alcohol gaining more attention
Graph 22: drinks categories, 2024-25
Enhance awareness of more niche drinks with the help of cocktails
Graph 23: drinks categories, by consumption frequency, 2025
Niche drinks lead the trend in Tier 1, cocktails expanding their reach in lower-tier markets
Graph 24: drinks categories, by city tier, 2025
Friends are the preferred companions for drinking OOH
Graph 25: companions when drinking OOH, 2025
Focus on low-alcohol drinks for solo drinking scenarios
Graph 26: companions when drinking OOH – alone, 2025
Chinese alcoholic drinks can tap into market opportunities presented by family gatherings
Graph 27: companions when drinking OOH – family members, 2025
Issues and Insights
Incorporate local culture into foodservice drinks to create a unique sensory and taste experience
Drinks: continue to expand and explore the use of local ingredients
Narrative: tell the story of local cultures
Experience: hotel bars set to become windows into local culture
Single-serving food and drinks pairings: boost penetration of solo scenarios
Solo dining is growing, with increasing potential in demand for solo drinking
Tap into solo drinking potential in Tier 1 cities with low-alcohol options
Graph 28: reasons for not purchasing alcoholic drinks OOH, by city tier, 2025
Offer single-serving meals and drinks to win over solo diners and drinkers
Drinking venues can become lifestyle symbols and advocates
Cater to lifestyles of consumer groups to create lasting value
Don’t just cater to lifestyles, create lifestyles
Appendix – market size and forecast, research methodology and abbreviations
Experiences are key for the on-premise alcohol sector to break through. This can be achieved by creating a third space focusing on localised food and drink pairings and more healthful low-alcohol drinks to support social drinking.
Marta Zhang, Senior Analyst, China Insights
Market Definitions
This Report discusses consumer behaviours, attitudes and trends in relation to alcoholic drinks in any foodservice and entertainment venues (eg bars, restaurants, nightclubs, sports arenas).
The main on-trade channels covered by this Report are restaurants, bars/pubs and entertainment venues, with a focus on venues where alcoholic drinks are one of the core products.
Retail alcohol (ie purchased from grocery stores, large general stores, and off-licences) is not covered in this Report. For content on this topic, please refer to the Mintel Report Alcoholic Drink Consumption Habits – China – 2025.
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