The UK pub and bar market is expected to grow 5% year-on-year in 2024, demonstrating resilience and steady growth despite economic challenges. This reflects changing consumer habits and the industry’s adaptability. Trends like immersive experiences, such as cocktail-making classes, have attracted 36% of consumers, redefining pub visits and boosting footfall.
However, the sector faces challenges with the ongoing decline in pub numbers. Only 45,350 pubs remain in 2023, down from 60,800 in 2000, and closures continue to threaten the industry. The planned end of business rates relief in 2025 could worsen the situation, burdening many operators with unsustainable costs. Staying competitive will require innovative strategies to remain profitable and attract customers.
On a positive note, the rising demand for health-conscious options offers significant opportunities. The growth of low and non-alcoholic drinks aligns with consumer wellness trends. Pubs and bars that adapt to these demands, while also creating experiential or themed venues, are well-positioned to attract a wider, more diverse audience. This innovation points to a promising future for operators willing to evolve with their customers.
This report looks at the following areas:
- How pubs and bars are leveraging strategic innovations and distinctive offerings to maintain consumer interest and ensure profitability.
- The growing emphasis on consumer behaviour and preferences, particularly around dynamic pricing, and immersive activities like cocktail classes over traditional visits.
- The rise of themed bars and non-alcoholic drink options reflects demand for health-conscious choices and unique social experiences.
- The role of quality food offerings and live sports events in boosting footfall and revenue.
Experiential venues and the demand for low or non-alcoholic drinks are reshaping traditional pubs, driving innovation to meet changing preferences.
Trish Caddy, Associate Director – Foodservice
Market Definitions
Mintel commissioned consumer research for this Report to assess usage and attitudes towards pubs and bars. Research was carried out by Kantar Profiles among 1,978 internet users aged 18+ in August 2024. Detailed demographics are given in the Interactive Databook.
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Executive Summary
- Opportunities for the pubs and bars market
- Three major opportunities for the market
- Market dynamics and outlook
- The market is experiencing healthy growth rates
- Outlook for UK pubs and bars market
- Market value set to continue to rise despite pub closures
- Mitchells & Butlers remains the largest managed operator
- Graph 1: selected leading managed operators in the UK by outlet numbers, 2019-24
- Graph 2: selected leading tenanted/leased pub operators in the UK by outlet numbers, 2020-24
- Navigating the challenging market
- What consumers want and why
- Four in five visit a pub/bar to eat during the day
- Graph 3: pub/bar visiting to eat or drink, by day and evening, 2021-24
- Drinkers embrace higher price points
- Graph 4: annual changes in spending on drinks at pubs/bars. 2023-24
- Beer remains a staple in UK pubs and bars
- Graph 5: annual changes in alcoholic drink preferences at pubs/bars, 2022-24
- Rise of non-alcoholic drink choices
- Graph 6: annual changes in non-alcoholic drink preferences at pubs/bars, 2022-24
- Dinner tops the charts for pubs and bars
- Graph 7: meals eaten at pubs/bars, 2024
- UK traditional pubs are a beloved staple
- Graph 8: types of pubs/bars visited most frequently, 2024
- UK consumers embrace dynamic pricing and local wines
- Graph 9: attitudes towards pubs/bars, 2024
- Innovation and marketing
- Lunchtime and dinner delights
- Innovation in on-trade sets a new standard
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Market Dynamics
- Market size
- Pub market continues post-pandemic recovery
- Graph 10: value of the pub and bar industry, 2019-2024
- Hospitality sector celebrated a strong summer
- Focus on food is boosting pub revenue
- Market forecast
- Market value set to continue to rise despite pub closures…
- …with forecasts indicating a steady increase in market value through 2029
- Opportunities to drive growth
- Market share and competitive strategies
- Mitchells & Butlers remains the largest managed operator
- Graph 11: selected leading managed operators in the UK by outlet numbers, 2019-24
- Tenanted and leased pub market reflects a dynamic landscape
- Graph 12: selected leading tenanted/leased pub operators in the UK by outlet numbers, 2020-24
- Fuller’s bold moves and steady growth
- Greene King’s Nest and Hive mentality
- Punch strengthens market position through acquisitions
- How M&B leads with smart pricing and strategic investments
- Market drivers
- Number of UK pubs fell by 25% from 2000 to 2023
- Graph 13: pub numbers, 2000-23
- Autumn Budget threatens future of some pubs and bars…
- …and could be the final blow for operators who are already struggling
- University bars embrace alcohol-free experiences
- Ireland and Scotland health-focused alcohol rules
- Graph 14: minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol., 2024
- Pints and goals revitalised UK pubs
- Weather significantly influences UK pubs and bars
- RTD opportunities for pubs and bars
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What Consumers Want and Why
- Frequency of visiting pubs and bars
- Pub/bar visiting remains a popular leisure activity
- Graph 15: pub/bar visiting to eat or drink, 2021-24
- Opportunities for lunchtime dining in pubs and bars
- Four in five visit a pub/bar to eat during the day
- Graph 16: pub/bar visiting to eat or drink, by day and evening, 2021-24
- Enhance pub catering with premium experiences
- Graph 17: dayparts of pub/bar visiting to eat or drink, 2024
- Spending at pubs and bars
- Small purchases down, mid-range rising
- Drinkers embrace higher price points
- Graph 18: annual changes in spending on drinks at pubs/bars. 2023-24
- Adapting to price shifts in drinking
- Engaging with the thirsty younger demographics
- Drink preferences at pubs and bars
- Beer remains a staple in UK pubs and bars
- Graph 19: annual changes in alcoholic drink preferences at pubs/bars, 2022-24
- Opportunity for pubs to craft premium drinks menus
- Beer is the go-to choice for over-45s
- Rise of non-alcoholic drink choices
- Graph 20: annual changes in non-alcoholic drink preferences at pubs/bars, 2022-24
- Non-alcoholic trends sipping into the future
- Smart pricing strategies to match changing consumer preferences
- Graph 21: types of drinks ordered most often, by spending on drinks at pubs/bars, 2024
- Consumers spend more per transaction at M&B but end up spending more at Wetherspoons
- Graph 22: spending at selected pubs and bars among Snoop’s cohort, 2024
- Popular meal times
- Dinner tops the charts for pubs and bars
- Graph 23: meals eaten at pubs/bars, 2024
- Capitalising on mealtime trends in UK pubs and bars
- Evening menus and snack options for younger diners
- Popular types of pubs and bars
- UK traditional pubs are a beloved staple
- Graph 24: types of pubs/bars visited most frequently, 2024
- The rise of unique leisure venues
- Mixology magic captivates young UK consumers
- Gastropubs are popular among the middle-aged
- Chain and indie pubs are most popular among older age groups
- Graph 25: types of pubs/bars visited most frequently, by age, 2024
- Attitudes towards pubs and bars
- Pricing strategies and preferences shape UK pubs and bars
- Graph 26: attitudes towards pricing and value perceptions, 2024
- A shift towards immersive and themed experiences
- Graph 27: attitudes towards experiential pubs/bars, 2024
- Consumers crave novelty and culinary sophistication
- Graph 28: experiential attitudes towards novelty and culinary appeal, 2024
- Alcohol delivery is growing in popularity in the UK
- The convenience of alcohol home delivery…
- Graph 29: experiential attitudes towards alcohol delivery by age, 2024
- …presents an opportunity for pubs to expand their reach
- Graph 30: share of wallet for Greene King’s customers in out-of-home spend (%) among Snoop’s cohort, 2024
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Innovation And Marketing Trends
- Launch activity and innovation
- Low price deals during quieter times
- Bars and pubs introduce experience-led concepts
- Focus on low- and no-alcohol
- Differing low alcohol content strategies
- The power of celebrity endorsements
- The rise of UK vineyards…
- …boosts the wine industry
- Innovative cocktail bars revive the nightlife
- Demand for ethnic alcoholic drinks with traditional food pairings…
- …opens opportunities for Japanese rice wine experiences
- Lunchtime and dinner delights
- Immersive themed bars
- Gastropub evolution raising the bar
- The rise of listening bars
- AI-made beer
- Stonegate’s MiXR app transforms guest engagement and sales
- Innovation in on-trade sets a new standard
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Appendix
- Market forecast data and methodology
- Market size: pubs and bars’ total value
- Market forecast and prediction intervals (total value)
- Forecast methodology
- Report scope and definitions
- Market definition
- Abbreviations and terms
- Consumer research methodology
- Some important terms connected with the pub business are:
- Snoop SpendMapper methodology
- Supplementary data
- New alcohol duty system – Beer
- New alcohol duty system – Wine
- New alcohol duty system – Spirits
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