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 threadEmily VelascoMar 16
There's a burrito place near me that I really like, that I've been eating at for years. I used to go once a week or so, but since the pandemic, the price of a burrito went from $5 to $11, and that's just too much! I eat there once every few months now. It doesn't mean I don't like burritos though.
Show threadEmily VelascoMar 17

"Alcohol is a poison. It's good that alcohol is too expensive now."

Shut up and go away

Show threadFurryBeta
@MLE_online I *almost* feel that way about cigarettes (I smoked for 20 years). I still get the craving and urge for one now and again, but at $15+ a pack, I’m too cheap to buy one (not to mention it would start me back smoking again)
Mar 17 at 4:09amWeb
Show threadKilroy_Was_HereMar 17

@FurryBeta @MLE_online

I smoke quite a bit (a pipe, not cigs) but before I quit booze I used to drink whole fifths of 100 proof vodka in a single sitting so for me smoking is an upgrade. No puke, no headache, no blackout, no dizziness, no shouting matches I can't remember.

Show threadFurryBetaMar 17
@kilroy_was_here @MLE_online Ain’t saying that alcohol doesn’t have it’s drawbacks, it can be some nasty stuff, too
Show threadFurryBetaMar 17
@kilroy_was_here @MLE_online Glad you were able to quit
Show threadKilroy_Was_HereMar 17

@FurryBeta @MLE_online

Best thing I ever did. And the 3-day hangovers helped me out lol.

Show threadKevin Santo CappuccioMar 17

@FurryBeta @MLE_online I love that being able to afford to smoke cigarettes is slowly becoming a flagrant show of wealth.

I imagine some silly future scene where some dude rolls up in a Bentley and another person in a leather jacket's like, "oh yeah?" and then casually lights a cigarette (that costs the same as that car.)

Show threadFurryBetaMar 17
@ArchiteuthisFlux @MLE_online It’s pretty much the same as lighting cash on fire anymore. Not quite as flamboyant as lighting a cigar off of a C bill, but getting there
Show threadKevin Santo CappuccioMar 17
@FurryBeta @MLE_online This gives me an idea for increasing international demand for US dollars...