Nights out aren’t what they were, Brits say – and two things are to blame

Four in 10 Brits mourn the loss of a ‘proper’ night out – with the 90s voted the best decade for an evening out on the town.

A survey of 2,000 adults revealed that 57% believe nights out are no longer what they once were, with the use of mobile phones (38%) and rising costs (68%) cited as the main culprits.

Only 16% of Gen Zs and 13% of Millennials say they enjoy clubbing nowadays, yet 72% wish they could have experienced a 90s night out for themselves.

This is down to what they consider to have been better music (54%), a livelier atmosphere (56%) and not having to spend a fortune on a few drinks (54%).

Meanwhile, 73% of those who hit the clubs in the 1990s said there was a distinct ‘energy’ that today’s younger generation simply wouldn’t understand.

A spokesperson for cider company, Crumpton Oaks, which commissioned the research, said: “There’s a clear sense that the classic night out has changed, with many people feeling it is missing something that existed in the 1990s.

“For those who remember earlier decades, there’s a strong attachment to how simple and social those nights felt.

“Whether it’s technology or cost, modern nights can feel more curated and controlled.”

Of those who clubbed in the 90s, the biggest difference between a night out now is how much cheaper it was (63%), how it was more social (53%) and how it’s less influenced by social media (44%)

Consequently, 39% actually feel sympathy for younger generations who never had the chance to experience a 1990s night out. The study revealed that 72% of those surveyed had not set foot in a nightclub over the past year, with 61% citing the ever-rising cost of a night out as a factor in how often they choose to go.

More than half (51%) believe drinks have become too expensive, while 36% feel entry fees are too steep and a further 36% consider transport costs excessive. As such, 67% said that soaring prices have stripped away the spontaneity of a night out.

A spokesperson for Crumpton Oaks, which has revived its beloved Happy Applecore campaign for the summer, added: “Rising costs are clearly having a knock-on effect, with fewer people going out regularly and spontaneity becoming harder to justify.

“At the same time, many still compare today’s nights out to the 90s, where they felt more affordable, more social and less shaped by technology.

“While music and DJs remain central to a good night, the overall experience is changing – and that’s something people are increasingly aware of.”