The pub and bar channel was one of the few segments to record growth in the four weeks to 31 August, increasing its share of total eating and drinking out occasions by 2.5 percentage points year-on-year.
Lumina said the uplift came as consumers “flocked to pubs and bars as summer came to a wet and windy end”, seeking to make the most of outdoor and social drinking opportunities.
Within the channel, after-work drinks rose +2.1ppts, nights out +1.2ppts and pub crawls +1.3ppts, reflecting demand for casual evening and weekend occasions. The data suggests more consumers are choosing to socialise and unwind after work despite tighter budgets.
Confidence down, costs up
Wider economic indicators remained challenging. Consumer confidence fell to -17, down four points year-on-year, while inflation reached 3.8%, up from 2.2% in 2024. Average spend per visit rose to £18.55, partly reflecting price inflation and consumers’ willingness to treat themselves when they do go out.
Total eating-out participation slipped 1ppt to 58.5%, though frequency increased 8.8% as higher-income consumers went out more often. The findings mirror recent coverage of rising costs and subdued confidence across hospitality.
Drinking-led occasions dominate
Pubs benefited from a broader shift towards drinking-led behaviour. Drink-only occasions grew 1.3ppts, the strongest increase of any day part, followed by dinner (+0.5ppts), as consumers sought affordable, social moments with friends. Lunch fell 1.9ppts, suggesting reduced midweek and daytime trade as households curbed discretionary spending.
The results align with a broader move towards experience-led socialising, with operators reporting stronger late-evening trade and a focus on value and atmosphere over volume.
A mix of storms and short heatwaves through August shifted dining habits towards warmer, pub-friendly options. Lumina recorded growth for burgers (+1.2ppts) and chips and wedges, while salads and ice cream both declined (-1ppt). The findings support continued appetite for classic comfort dishes on pub menus as summer ended.
Pubs lead the market
Among major channels, pubs and bars were the only category to post material share growth. Coffee shops, QSRs and restaurants all saw flat or marginally reduced shares, while retail catering declined slightly. Pubs and bars now account for 27.1% of total out-of-home occasions, up from 26.3% last year.
This reinforces their role as the leading social channel for affordable leisure, echoing recent data showing pub visits rising faster than restaurants.
Delivery’s share of occasions rose 1.4ppts to 16.5% as poor weather kept more consumers at home. However, pubs and bars still benefited from those seeking affordable nights out, despite competition from takeaways - consistent with slowing delivery market growth.
Lumina said the outlook for the rest of the year remains uncertain ahead of the Autumn Budget. The Bank of England’s August rate cut to 5% may ease some financial pressure, but confidence recovery is expected to be slow.
Despite this, the data confirms pubs’ continued strength as sociable, good-value venues. While overall eating-out participation has softened, the pub sector remains resilient, with consumers still choosing pubs as the preferred setting to “socialise and unwind” amid economic uncertainty.
