A new study by experts from The University of Manchester has revealed a major shift in Britain's social life, as the number of bars and pubs has dropped sharply in recent years while restaurants have expanded.
The research, published in Applied Geography, examined more than 1100 neighbourhoods across Greater Manchester and Nottingham between 2002 and 2019. The team found that bar numbers fell by around 35%, while restaurant numbers grew by a similar percentage over the same period
This trend is part of a nationwide pattern. Across the UK, thousands of pubs have closed their doors in the past two decades, with closures accelerating in recent years as rising costs, changing habits and the Covid-19 pandemic hit the industry hard.
The researchers say the shift is driven by younger generations who are drinking less alcohol and increasingly socialising around food rather than drink. "Our findings show a clear generational move away from alcohol-centred venues," said lead author Jonathan Wood. "Bars are disappearing from many neighbourhoods, while restaurants are spreading into new areas."
While bars and pubs once dominated high streets and local centres, the study found that many have vanished altogether from large parts of both Manchester and Nottingham. In 2002, around 43% of Manchester neighbourhoods and 47% of Nottingham neighbourhoods had no bars at all. By 2019, the number of "bar deserts" had increased nearly twenty-fold.
In contrast, restaurants - once concentrated almost entirely in city centres - have grown and spread into suburbs and residential areas. The study shows the likelihood of a neighbourhood having no restaurants fell by at least five-fold during the period
The research also reveals how geography plays a role. Venues are increasingly clustering in central, well-connected areas, often close to retail hubs and good public transport. Manchester's nightlife, for example, has become more centralised, with popular spots like the Northern Quarter and Deansgate thriving while local bars in outlying neighbourhoods struggle to survive.
By contrast, restaurants have been able to expand further afield, offering more choice in suburban areas. The team suggests this reflects the way people now prefer to spend their leisure time, with eating out seen as a more inclusive and family-friendly activity than drinking.
The decline of pubs and bars has long worried campaigners who see them as vital community spaces. The new research underlines how closures are reshaping neighbourhoods - especially in deprived areas, where pubs once offered affordable social outlets. At the same time, the growth of restaurants may bring new opportunities for local economies, but it also highlights the need for planners and policymakers to adapt to changing consumer habits.
