Gen Z ditching nights out for gym sessions and afternoon tea in major shift

Gen Z ditching nights out for gym sessions and afternoon tea in major shiftGen Z are increasingly choosing low-key, cost-effective ways to socialise, with over half opting for daytime or early evening activities over traditional nights outCommentsLifestyleJasmine Lenthall07:00, 19 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesTV personality Maura Higgins hosted the Cherry Coke Café this weekend(Image: PinPep)Gen Z is trading shots for squats and scones - favouring socialising at the gym and over afternoon tea. A survey of 1,000 adults aged 18 to 29 revealed they're progressively selecting low-key, experience-driven methods to socialise, with 53% choosing daytime or early evening gatherings over nights out.‌Alongside the gym (38%) and afternoon tea (24%), respondents also appreciate playing board games with their mates (28%) and crafting together (18%). Book clubs (12%) are equally 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.‌View 3 ImagesThe Café is a playful take on café culture (Image: PinPep)It revealed that younger adults are adopting a nostalgia-driven approach to socialising, with 86% stating they enjoy putting their own spin on trends from the past. More than half (52%) said modern takes 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 also discovered that six in 10 prefer to socialise in a more low-key manner than they did five years ago. For 78%, cost was the primary factor in how they chose to spend time with friends, with a third preferring an afternoon tea over a night out.More than half (54%) said they actively sought ou...