Gen Z opts for alcohol-free social plans, choosing afternoon tea over nightclubs

Gen Z is swapping shots for squats and scones – preferring to socialise at the gym and over afternoon tea. A poll of 1,000 adults aged 18 to 29 found they’re increasingly choosing lowkey, experience-led ways to socialise, with 53% opting for daytime or early evening get-togethers over nights out.

In addition to the gym (38%) and afternoon tea (24%), those polled also enjoy playing board games with their pals (28%) and crafting together (18%). Book clubs (12%) are also popular, as are running clubs (13%) and wellness classes (13%).

The research was commissioned by Coca-Cola, which launched an immersive Cherry Coke Café experience to celebrate its new range and new flavour Float.

It found younger adults are embracing a nostalgia-led approach to socialising, with 86% saying they enjoy putting their own twist on trends from the past.

More than half (52%) said modern twists on nostalgic experiences appealed to them more than traditional versions or entirely new activities.

Maura Higgins, who has teamed with the brand, said: “I love anything that brings people together in a fun, relaxed way. Anything with a cute twist on something we all know, but with a fresh, playful feel, is a favourite of mine.”

The study found six in 10 prefer to socialise in a lower key way than they did five years ago. For 78%, cost was the main driver in how they chose to socialise with friends, with a third preferring to go for an afternoon tea with friends than a night out.

More than half (54%) said they actively sought out social plans that didn’t revolve around alcohol. As a result, 48% said they felt more present and engaged during relaxed, daytime social plans.

When asked which activities were most enjoyed with friends, shopping proved most popular (52%), followed by trying new food and drink experiences (47%).

Exercise (38%), board games (28%), afternoon tea (24%) and visiting themed or pop-up experiences (24%) also made the list.

Of those who took part in the study, conducted via OnePoll.com, soft and fizzy drinks were the top choice (42%) when socialising in relaxed environments.

Ellie D’Silva, spokesperson at Coca-Cola Great Britain, which saw the café open over the weekend allowing guests to explore the space and book an afternoon tea experience, said: “The results show Gen Z are part of a ‘spin generation’, they love to take elements of the past and reinterpret them in a way that reflects their own style and identity.

“Whether it’s reimagining classic social rituals like afternoon tea or picking a new favourite in the new range, we wanted to create an experience that feels both nostalgic and new.”