Is buying a round at the pub on the way out with cost-of-living pressures, new drinking habits & technology?

Once a sacred social tradition, the days of “buying a round” at the pub may be on borrowed time as cost-of-living pressures, changing drinking habits and technological advances encourage Aussie drinkers to skip the shout.

In growing numbers, Australians are opting to split the bill or pay for their own drinks — something that has never been easier thanks to instant bank transfers and the popularity of QR codes in pubs.

Younger drinkers, who are likely to be both more tech-savvy and — increasingly — drink less or abstain from alcohol altogether, are the most likely to buy their own drinks.

National Australia Bank research last year showed more than half of adults admitted they were unlikely to shout their mates, with that number rising to nearly three-quarters for 18 to 29-year-olds.

NAB personal banking executive Kylie Young said she had no doubt the trend had only increased since the research was done six months ago.

“What we’re seeing is that across the board, Australians are making changes to their spending in the face of cost-of-living pressures,” she said.

“There’s a lot more thoughtful spending behaviours.

“When we did this research we connected with 2000 Australians and showed that, across all age groups, one in two were more likely to split the bill, and that number across younger Australians is more like seven in 10.

“It really chimes with the fact that this is a generation that is far more conscious about spending and trying to cut back where they can and save where they can, but they’re also far more comfortable talking about how they’re managing their money.”

Frisk Small Bar owner John McAndrew said his bar’s location close to the marriage office at Old Tower House meant he saw “quite a few people keen to get the first round in — grooms, father of the bride etc”.

But otherwise, he said: “I think ad hoc drinking and going out for one or two doesn’t relate to round-buying culture anymore. Maybe it’s for financial reasons or maybe just culturally people aren’t out for a whole ‘night out’ as often.”

Drinkers at The Royal in Perth’s CBD this week were on the fence about whether shouting a round was a dying tradition.

Dave Everett, enjoying a pint with friend Bill Gillespie, said if he was out with friends and they all arrived together, it made sense to take turns to buy a round.

“I still think it (the tradition) is there,” Mr Everett said.

“I would rather buy the first round because then I know I’ve bought one.”

Mr Gillespie said he believed the cost of living was having a big effect on drinking habits.

“My kids can’t afford to go out these days,” he said.

“If I went out with family and friends we’d tend to buy our own because otherwise it’s too expensive.”

Kate Stafford said she still believed in buying a round.

“I would say I still definitely do it,” she said.

Others said their willingness to shout a round depended on what the group was drinking.

“I’m open for it if everyone’s drinking the same thing,” Dom Driscoll said.

Chris Eyres and Claire Dewhurst agreed there was a big difference between shouting a beer and buying cocktails all night.

Ms Dewhurst said when she was younger shouting a round meant “$10 for a jug of beer at (Nedlands hotel) Steve’s” but it could be a lot more expensive now.

Mr Eyres said he recently shouted a round and the bill for four Aperol spritzes came to $100.

“You think ‘I’m not getting my money back on this’,” he said with a laugh.