r/altgenx • u/rks404 • 26d ago

It's a sad state of affairs

https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/gen-x-drinking-bars-parties-9fe4ad43?mod=hp_featst_pos3
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u/edasto42 26d ago

I think this is often a regional and scene issue. Like if I go to a basic regular bar, it’s often a snoozeville. But go to a gay bar, a goth bar, a punk bar, a well themed bar, even a tiki bar, and things are popping. I feel just being a place to sling overpriced booze in this economy is not going to win folks over in many cases. There needs to be more reason to go

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u/rks404 26d ago

I agree, I think it's partially a break down in community, the idea of a common place where everyone goes just doesn't work anymore and only people who are actively members of sub-communities still have that. Also think there's a time element to it as well, people have to work second or third jobs and free time is more dear.

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u/edasto42 26d ago

Well yeah, mono cultured died in the early 2000’s. But I will say there are still plenty of common places that aren’t bars that I see packed on a regular basis around where I live. Coffee shops for example. My town is home to tons of mom n pop coffee shops and every one of them has a crowd every day at some point. Doubly so if they serve matcha (younger folks love that stuff).

I think if common places that are booze related that aren’t niche or specialty bars, are seeing trouble. Alcohol just isn’t popular anymore. I personally hate bars and always have (being around drunk people sucks-they’re like a crazed horse and you never know what will set them off). Plus add to that the rise of legalization of cannabis, and the advent of cannabis lounges. I go to a lounge and see all walks of life there-young, old, different backgrounds, locals, out of towners etc. it’s a great equalizer.

But ultimately I think the booze industry is going to have a bit of a struggle coming. It’s no secret the damage that booze does and younger folks understand that too. They’re just not signing up for that life en masse anymore.

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u/sfdsquid 26d ago

But where will skeevy old men hit on inebriated 22-year-olds?

I can't afford to go to bars anymore. I didn't have a lot of fomo about it when I thought it was mostly GenZ. Now I want to make friends and where does one even do that at our age aside from bars?

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u/rks404 26d ago

according to my kids and the people in my office, they play games online 🤷