Bars aren’t just fighting each other anymore — they’re fighting the couch, according to the Times Union. Fewer adults drink alcohol now, and younger customers increasingly see a night out as expensive, risky, or unnecessary.
National alcohol use fell from nearly 57% of adults in 2014 to 51% in 2024. Experts point to higher prices, health concerns, cannabis legalization, social media, dating apps, and pandemic-era habits that made staying home feel easier.
Local bars have responded with deals, DJs, games, canned drinks, and more nonalcoholic options. Owners say younger customers still want to socialize, but simply offering a place to drink no longer feels like enough.
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