Emily VelascoMar 16

I keep seeing articles like this, about how people choosing to drink less is hurting bars and restaurants, and it's almost always framed as people, especially younger generations, don't like to drink.

They never seem to bring up the fact that a cocktail is like $20 now unless you go to a really divey dive bar. It's the same kind of reporting they on how no one goes to the movies anymore. It's always about changing habits, and never that movie tickets just cost a lot now.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/16/dining/us-alcohol-restaurants.html

Dinner and No Drinks: Restaurants Are Struggling as Americans Drink Less

Traditionally a reliable revenue stream for restaurants, alcoholic drinks are down markedly — and the bottom line is, too.

The New York Times
Show threadB's wild, wild world 🌱🐛🎼Mar 16
@MLE_online Exactly! I watched a special on Vegas that essentially stated that Vegas was no longer for the regular folks, they are catering to the affluent. It's like that everywhere. Don't got the dough, oh well, guess you can't go. It's ridiculous and also the same reason home ownership is unattainable for many. We need to tax the wealthy to pay their fair share. Or do like Aerosmith says, "Eat the Rich."
Show threadEmily VelascoMar 16
@BsCreativeLife I wonder if there are enough wealthy people to keep vegas going without regular people also spending time there. Vegas is not Dubai and it's not Monaco.
Show threadB's wild, wild world 🌱🐛🎼
@MLE_online doubtful, but the tickets, fees, Formula 1, and stakes at the tables are what they are placing their bets on holding Vegas afloat... 
Mar 16 at 9:40pmWeb