New data shows cost-of-living pressures have killed off the Australian social tradition of the shout – buying a round of drinks for mates at the pub.

The results of Tyro Payments’ 2025 Eat Pay Love survey indicate 35% of Aussies are less likely to buy a round of drinks for friends now compared to a year ago.

Survey respondents also admitted to using QR codes to avoid shouting a friend a drink, with Millennials the most likely to use the method, at 42%, followed by Gen Z (38%), Gen X (37%) and Baby Boomers (33%).

The insights come from more than 30 million food and drink orders and a survey of more than 1500 Australian consumers and small business owners, which highlight changing social spending habits, tipping behaviour, business decisions around surcharges and pricing predictions.

Despite the challenges, small businesses remain optimistic, with 75% confident about their success in the next year.

Nearly half of Australians have also adjusted their alcohol consumption due to rising costs, with one in 10 cutting alcohol altogether.

Price sensitivity is high, but there’s some movement at the top end. While $5.50 is the average ceiling for a takeaway coffee, and $8.80 for a beer or wine, a notable share of Australians are still willing to pay more – especially for alcohol, where the average acceptable price has increased by 7.3% since June 2024.

Tyro also revealed the top five drinks ordered over the past five years, with Espresso Martinis the most popular.

The top 5

1. Espresso Martini
2. Corona
3. Aperol Spritz
4. Margarita
5. Stone & Wood Pacific Ale Pint

Gen Z drinkers on the rise in Australia