Posh snacks are ousting traditional pub favourites in the battle of the bar snacks.
Age-old nibbles such as pickled onions and prawn cocktail crisps are falling by the wayside as punters opt for more exotic or healthier alternatives to tuck into while enjoying a pint.
And surprisingly pub-goers in the north of the UK are most likely to turn their backs on traditional crisps and nuts in favour of ‘classier’ more artisanal choices.
According to extensive data, upmarket accompaniments such as cashew nuts, olives, halloumi fries and gourmet flavoured crisps are now all the rage.
The trend, identified by ServedUp, a mobile order and pay system which enables customers to order food and drinks to their restaurant or bar table, has seen the shift hot up following the lifting of lockdown in April.
And follows the launch of a £25 tub of vegan crisps on sale at upmarket department store Fortnum & Mason recently.
Analysing over 1.5 million orders nationwide, the appetite for healthier baked crisps has risen by 23 per cent, cashew nuts by 20 per cent and popcorn by 12 per cent. Demand for gourmet flavoured crisps rose by 16 per cent and olives by eight per cent.
Hugo Tilmouth, chief executive at ServedUp, said: "While there will always be a place for traditional bar snacks it is clear there is a revolution underway as smart, upmarket bars and restaurants open offering a wide range of more eclectic snacks."
Snacks sold in pubs pre-lockdown were worth £24 million and are set to increase further according to experts.
A spokesman for ServedUp confirmed bar snacks have finally come to the attention of foodies who like to give off an air of sophistication while sipping their sauvignon blanc.
Mr Tilmouth added “If we look back, searching for the little blue sachet in a packet of Salt and Shake crisps was possibly the most novel and exciting as snacks got. So it's great to see Brits are being more adventurous as flavours and choices evolve."
Nationwide bar snack hotspots
Aberdeen - Jalapeno Pretzels
Edinburgh - Buffalo Fries
Liverpool - Sea Salt And Balsamic Vinegar Crisps
Manchester - Tempura Prawns
Leeds - Pistachios
Harrogate - Calamari
York - Beer Battered Halloumi
Middlesbrough - Pickled Onion Monster Munch
Blackpool - Scampi Fries
Wakefield - Pork Scratchings
Birmingham - Salted peanuts
Nottingham - Roasted Peanuts
Swansea - Mini Cheddars
Torquay - Cheese & Onion Crisps
Portsmouth - Sweet Chilli Crisps
London - Salt and Vinegar Crisps
Bristol - Cheesy Chips
Margate - Pipers Sea Salt Crisps
Richmond Upon Thames - Scotch Eggs
Brighton - Cajun Seasoned Fries
Servedup’s app is available in thousands of pubs and restaurants around Britain enabling them to provide a snack map which shows which treats are frequently consumed in specific areas.
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