Young Britons Say Pub Visits Boost Wellbeing More Than Gym Sessions, Survey Finds

Young adults in Britain are more likely to say that a visit to the pub boosts their wellbeing than a session at the gym, according to new polling by YouGov for the British Beer and Pub Association. The survey, conducted between March 20 and 23, 2026, included responses from 2,006 adults across Great Britain. Among those aged 18 to 24, 52% said socializing with friends or colleagues at the pub had a positive impact on their wellbeing. This figure was higher than the 41% who cited going to the gym or doing solo exercise, and the 38% who pointed to self-care activities.

A similar trend appeared among respondents aged 25 to 34. In this group, 49% said time spent socializing at the pub benefited their wellbeing, compared with 44% for solo exercise and 43% for self-care. The findings come as official data from the Office for National Statistics shows that younger people are among those most likely to report feelings of loneliness in Britain. According to the ONS Opinions and Lifestyle Survey published in January 2026, 27% of people aged 16 to 29 said they felt lonely often, always or some of the time. The ONS survey collected responses from 3,090 individuals between January 7 and February 1, with results weighted to reflect the wider population.

The data highlights the role of pubs as important social spaces for young adults. More than a third of pub goers aged 18 to 24—34%—said they visit pubs for activities such as quizzes, live music or sports events. This compares with just 22% of all pub goers surveyed. Pubs also appear to be places where young people expand their social networks: nearly half (44%) of young pub goers said they had met new people during a visit.

Looking ahead to the Easter holiday period, more than half (51%) of pub goers aged 18 to 24 said they planned to visit a pub during the break. The British Beer and Pub Association says these figures show how central pubs remain to social life for younger generations.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said that pubs provide a form of “social infrastructure” that is difficult to replicate elsewhere. She warned that every pub closure removes opportunities for community building and combating isolation. McClarkin called on the government to introduce permanent business rates reform and address regulatory costs in order to protect both the industry and its role in supporting community wellbeing.

Since 2020, more than 2,000 pubs have closed across Britain as rising energy costs, high taxes and regulatory pressures have weighed on the sector. Publicans say they see firsthand how important pubs are for young people’s wellbeing. Hannah Lawson, publican of The Wheatsheaf in Ealing, London, said she regularly observes young people spending quality time with friends and family at her venue. She described her pub as a place where genuine community can be found.

Conor Petch, publican of the Dame Alice Owen pub in Islington, London, echoed these views. He said that after nine years working in pubs he has seen how important these spaces are for young adults seeking real-life connections outside digital environments.

The British Beer and Pub Association is urging support for its Long Live The Local campaign, which calls for tax changes and regulatory reform aimed at helping pubs remain viable for future generations. According to the association, more than 250,000 people have backed the initiative so far.