A report at Planet Money suggests that Americans are getting our wallets lifted at the bar these days. In 1982, 24% of our liquor budget went to bars and restaurants; today it’s 40%.
This isn’t because we’re eating or drinking out more, it’s because the price of spirits has gone down at the grocery store, but way up at establishments.
On average, $1 out of every $100 earned by Americans goes to liquor, and that hasn’t changed since 1982. But how much we pay where has shifted quite dramatically.
Lisa Wade, PhD is an Associate Professor at Tulane University. She is the author of American Hookup, a book about college sexual culture; a textbook about gender; and a forthcoming introductory text: Terrible Magnificent Sociology. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Comments 13
Legolewdite — July 7, 2012
People don't go to bars to drink, and they never have. Oh, they may drink while they're there, but any real drunk'll tell you, there's always been cheaper methods...
ididthatonce — July 7, 2012
I wonder if the prices of drinks have changed dramatically over the past 30 years. A single beer can be $3 at a restaurant, whereas it's $7-10 for a six-pack at the store. If restaurant drinks have raised in price at a more rapid rate than in the store, it would be very easy to explain the change.
midwestrugger — July 7, 2012
word. bars are expensive. they're selling more of an experience I feel like (being out with friends, socializing, food, etc.)
decius — July 7, 2012
With the price information, it becomes clear that a smaller proportion of alcohol is being bought at bars. Based on the total expenditures remaining constant but bars getting more total income with higher prices, I'm going to conclude that bars have found that higher prices put them at a higher point on the Laffer Curve.
Where's the sociological angle?
ewriouo324 — July 7, 2012
Makes sense. The impression I get from old books and movies is that people used to drink out at bars and restaurants a lot more than they do now. Especially lower income people, because these days drinking frequently at a bar is just way too expensive for us to do it. At some restaurants a drink might cost more than an entree.
I guess this is good for reducing drunk driving, but it's really bad for our society that so many of us have to just drink at home, alone, instead out of being out with friends.
visitor — July 8, 2012
I had a drink at a near-empty outdoor cafe yesterday. My glass of wine was $19. With tip, I spend over $22.
kaileyverse — July 8, 2012
I'd rather spend 8 bucks on 1 twelve pack at the store than 8 bucks on 2 beers at a bar..