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 threadEmily VelascoMar 16
There are limits, and if I can buy two bottles of vodka from the grocery store for the price of a single cocktail, I'm going to opt to not have that cocktail most of the time
Show threadJohn WilsonMar 17

@MLE_online at some point I realized it was cheaper for me to buy ingredients at Aldi and teach myself how to cook my favorite dishes than it is to go out to eat at a restaurant - same energy.

It’s always been cheaper, I know that, but it’s rarely worth it at this point, at least for the whole family. 70 bucks to take everyone to McDonald’s!??!

Show threadEmily VelascoMar 17
@crazybutable yeah it's nuts. I haven't had McDonald's in a couple years now
Show threadJohn WilsonMar 17
@MLE_online The actual taco truck by my work is amazing, but 3.75 for one taco. So I get three and cry, and I don’t know if I am crying from how good it is, the price (remember when these were a dollar each?), or how spicy the salsa is
Show threadEmily Velasco
@crazybutable that is way too much for one taco, especially from a taco truck. yeesh
Mar 17 at 3:54amWeb