Emily Velasco6d ago

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 threadNeil6d ago
@MLE_online Some restaurants have started adding a “labor surcharge” to the check, often accompanied by a big explanation somewhere on the menu, which all comes across as a backhanded way to build animosity towards minimum wage hikes. Rent is also an escalating cost for restaurants but I’ve yet to see a one collect a landlord surcharge.
Show threadGeorge B6d ago

@gneilyo @MLE_online

One time i saw a place write some bullshit like "in order to keep prices low with the increased minimum wage we are adding a 10% labor surcharge to your bill" on their menu.

It was the last time I ate there

Show threadNeil
@gbargoud @MLE_online Right? They don't cry about increases in the price of steak or the gas bill, why this?
Mar 16 at 10:35pmWeb
Show threadEmily Velasco6d ago
@gneilyo @gbargoud They do complain about the price of meat, but only when it's in relation to something like California requiring cows to not be held in steel cages where they' can't turn around for 19 hours a day. They don't complain about the massive meatpacking corporations that are raising the price of meat