The tradition of buying rounds at the pub, while often a gesture of camaraderie, is increasingly becoming a financial strain for many Britons.
As living costs continue to climb, this social custom can quickly deplete bank balances.
“When everybody can afford it, rounds can be a lovely thing, but as prices go up and what we’re earning doesn’t match it, it has become a bit of a trap for a lot of people,” explains Vix Leyton, a consumer expert at thinkmoney.
The pressure to participate can lead individuals to spend more than intended, simply to avoid social awkwardness, Ms Leyton says.
“I’ve been on my way somewhere, so am only staying for one drink, and ended up paying for seven people’s drinks and getting the first round just to avoid looking like I’m somebody who couldn’t stand my round, rather than saying out loud that I’m only staying for one.”
A 2024 survey revealed that a quarter of Britons purchase the initial round solely to avoid social discomfort. This act of politeness costs them, on average, £18.80 – “which is a lot, isn’t it, for politeness?" Ms Leyton says.
And that was two years ago. The cost of living remains sky high, and drink prices can leave ymany shocked at the bar. The average pint in the UK now costs £5.23, but in London, expect to pay more like £6, and at live events, you could even be looking at a £10 beer.
Tax charged on alcoholic drinks rose to 3.66 per cent in February, and with us soon to enter spring bank holiday drinking season, if you haven’t experienced pain handing your bank card to the bartender, you might shortly.
“A glass of wine can be £12 or £13 now, which feels extraordinary, and as soon as someone has a cocktail, you are kissing your money goodbye,” says Ms Leyton.
“You could have had a really frugal month where you made all your lunches and all of a sudden you’ve spent £50 on drinks, and not even for people you actually like.
“You could be in a work situation. You could be with a group of acquaintances. It’s this social contract, that we all feel so strongly, that can leave you severely out of pocket.”
Managing your social spend has never been so important, but how can you do it?
Budget as much as you can
“It’s not something people naturally include in budgeting. When you look ahead to the next month, you can’t know that one evening in the pub, when you’re only planning to spend an hour, somebody’s got a promotion and everybody wants prosecco,” says Ms Leyton.
“You cannot calculate these incalculable moments, but you have to be honest about them.”
A money pot for moments like these can be helpful, if you’re able to set aside an amount specifically for social spending, but also “look back at how much you’re spending and have a think about what you’ve got for that money”, says Ms Leyton.
“This can help you approach rounds differently next time, and give you a bit more oomph to say, ‘Not tonight, thanks’.”
Be aware of your habits
Ms Leyton adds: “If you are somebody who knows you can go a bit far and get a bit generous after a couple of drinks, and the further into the rounds you are, the more generous you become as well, try to be self-aware.
“Have a quick check-in with yourself before saying yes, or offering another round.”
Say something
Gen Z are reportedly better at just saying no than older generations and as a result, better at avoiding expensive nights out they didn’t plan on having – try channelling that habit.
“There are phrases you can use that aren’t, ‘Sorry I haven’t got any money’. Like, ‘I want to drink at my own pace tonight, so I’m just going to get my own’ or, ‘I’m not sure how long I’m staying. I’ll just get my own,’ or, ‘Oh, not for me. I’m not drinking tonight,’” says Ms Leyton.
You don’t have to flag your financial situation if you’d rather not. And if one person is pushing rounds or splitting the bill, be brave and say something. The likelihood is that there are others hoping someone else will pipe up.
“If you can’t do it for you, do it for someone else,” says Ms Leyton.
“You don’t want to look stingy or miserly, we all want to be generous, but we need to protect ourselves. You have to put your own oxygen mask on, and sometimes a round can be at the expense of your essentials.”
Use an app
There are so many apps that exist to help you split bills fairly, from Splitwise to Monzo and Cino. “If you regularly get into rounds with the same people, it’s a really good idea to start implementing that kind of technology,” says Ms Leyton, who also recommends using QR codes where possible.
“Tables now mostly have QR codes and allow you to pay contactlessly,” she says. “So rather than squabbling over a receipt or even asking for a receipt, because typically in the pub, you don’t get one, you do have everything itemised, making it a lot easier to split the bill.”
Get rid of the guilt
Remember, it’s not the end of the world if you stay out of rounds; good friends won’t hold it against you. Plus, “it’s one less pint for another person to pay for” and “nobody is going to be disappointed to spend less money on their round”.
Change the conversation
“Ultimately, rounds come from convenience. It’s easier for one person to go to the bar than eight people queue eight separate times and buy eight separate drinks,” says Ms Leyton. “If it’s not convenient for you, financially, it doesn’t work anymore.”
“We need to stop treating rounds like a social contract that you have to opt out of rather than opt into. It’s entirely opt in,” she continues.
“The economy has changed, and we need to move with it. I think more people will go out if they don’t feel like they’re staring down the barrel of a £40 round.”
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