A Generational Shift in Culture: Gen Z Drinking Declines
EU Junior Sara Pilkati sings at a Wednesday night karaoke event at Fitz Pub in Elmhurst on April 1. (Star Herring)
Teenage years and early 20s are often said to be the “best years of our lives” with rager parties, constant drinking, and endless memories. Alcohol has played a big part in a lot of people’s social lives for a long time, but in the past 20 years or so, there has been a decline in those deciding to partake in drinking or heavy drinking.
This is a result of Generation Z’s decision to resort to sobriety. Generation Z is classified as anyone born between 1997 and 2012. One reason there is a decline is that a large percentage of those in this generation are not 21 yet, but even those who are of age are deciding to cut back on alcohol use.
Sophomore Ava Arthur is one of these participants who has found herself able to have a good time with her peers without drinking or heavy partying. She thinks that one reason people drink during college is that they are experiencing freedom for the first time and want to try new things, but says she sees the idea of drinking differently.
“I feel like I know a lot of people who do or say things when they’re drunk that are hurtful and harmful to other people, and I don’t want to be that person,” Arthur said.
Arthur elaborates that it can be a little awkward when she is the only one not drinking, and everyone else is, but she likes that her social time is not being influenced by an outside factor like alcohol.
One of the reasons Gen Z is deciding not to drink is due to health concerns. A 2023 survey from Gallup, an analytics and advisory company, reported that 52% of young adults hold the view that moderate drinking is unhealthy, in comparison to 34% holding this view five years ago.
Gen Z holds a higher interest in exercise, eating the right foods, and looking their best. Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism George Koob says he has seen a culture shift with Gen Z becoming more mindful about how much they drink, and keeping in mind what negative effects drinking can have later in life, like liver disease.
“Gen Z probably sees their parents who have had a lot of medical problems that are alcohol use disorders and chronic disorders, and they seem to embrace this kind of lifestyle where they enjoy good things, but they do it carefully with their health in mind,” Koob said.
Although there is a decline with Gen Z drinking overall, Koob says that there is still a good amount of Gen Z-aged people binge drinking, which is concerning. According to a study conducted by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2024, 26.7% of young adults ages 18 to 25 reported binge drinking in the last month.
Brendan Fitzharris, owner of Fitz’s Pub in Elmhurst, says he has seen an increase in Gen Z buying non-alcoholic drinks. He says non-alcoholic beers are selling more than he has ever seen since being in this business, and that Fitz’s is going to create a mocktail menu as they have become so popular.
“Socializing is still a part of life and the college experience, so I think it’s still important to go out with your friends and do things,” said Fitzharris. “It might not be good for my business, but it’s not a bad thing not to go out and get drunk.”
Fitz’s has added events to try and increase attendance, as he has noticed a decrease on the days where, in years past, the bar has been busy. The bar has added karaoke and trivia nights, which Fitzharris says has increased some attendance.
Arthur believes the generation as a whole may be realizing they can still have fun without alcohol and that it is important to have the ability to choose whether you drink or not without any peer pressure or judgment.
