Fewer people going out to bars, forcing the business to evolve
Posted February 4, 2016 8:01 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – When’s the last time you went out a bar?
A lot of local watering holes are feeling the pinch, as more people give up on going out for drinks.
Statistics Canada says revenues for drinking establishments have dropped 35 per cent since 2001. We’ve seen closures and even iconic watering holes like The Railway Club in Downtown Vancouver have been put up for sale.
Ian Tostenson with the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association says old-fashioned bars are having to evolve to survive. It’s the niche businesses that are are doing well.
“Craft beer, craft distillers… those businesses and venues are doing great. I think it’s just a bar for the purposes of drinking that are having a tough time. And they are seeing sales decline. It’s just not what we do anymore.”
Tostenson admits times are changing; people now go out for the experience rather than a bunch of drinks.
“People want to do something. They want to do more than sit around and drink. Of course there’s… how much it costs you to do that. Then, of course, public safety around drinking and driving.”
Others say our smartphones are more connected to our lifestyle than ever before. We don’t need to sit down and catch up anymore and singles don’t need to hit the bar to meet others.
