High tempo occasions remain a core part of Britain’s On–Premise—but they are being radically reshaped by changing lifestyles and expectations.
Exclusive analysis for NIQ’s High Tempo Report shows how pressure on consumers’ spending has affected big nights out, with the frequency of these visits dropping 4 percentage points year-on-year. Nonetheless, demand remains strong and 15% of consumers still typically visit the On-Premise for memorable occasions, with birthdays a particularly important trigger.
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Value in focus
These can be lucrative opportunities for venue operators and suppliers, but it’s vital to understand consumers’ latest high tempo expectations. The High Tempo Report reveals that price is now a top priority for many guests, with more than a third (36%) feeling that the cost of a high tempo night out has risen too much, and nearly as many (31%) say they can’t afford these occasions as much as they once did. The result is that visits have become less habitual and more intentional—which emphasises the need for venues to deliver top-value drinks and experiences.
Evolving habits
High tempo occasions have also been impacted by major changes in people’s lifestyles. These include a move towards afternoons and early evenings, with nearly three in ten (28%) now preferring to go out earlier. The trend is reinforced by NIQ’s trading data, which shows that the 5pm-to-7pm slot now generates more revenue than the later 7pm-to-10pm period.
People are also demanding more variety from their visits. Nearly two thirds (61%) say they are seeking new types of experiences when they go out, and a similar number (60%) are visiting different venue types than they were a year ago. High tempo occasions now stretch across many more times and preferences than they did in the past.
Pubs the winners
These evolutions have created both winners and losers, and the High Tempo Report indicates that pubs have benefited most. Their ability to adapt and appeal to a wide range of preferences—lively when needed, relaxed when it suits, and strong in the early evening as well as later—matches today’s broader need states. As a result, around a quarter (24%) of consumers who previously favoured bars or late-night venues now choose pubs for their high tempo visits. For suppliers, it’s more important than ever to understand how expectations differ in pubs, bars, clubs and other channels, and identify ways to stand out in each of them.
The importance of events
Suppliers and operators also need to look beyond in-venue factors and consider the wider moments that shape high tempo behaviour. Major events continue to act as reliable drivers of these occasions, creating concentrated, high intent footfall. Close to half (44%) of consumers say they go out for food or drink before a ticketed event, and more than a third (36%) do so afterwards. These occasions are cues for activations like event-day menus and offers, themed playlists and ticketholder perks.
Why discovery and reputation matter
Another key to winning spend on high tempo occasions is to understand how people find their venues in the first place. NIQ’s research shows well over half (55%) use Google search to identify destinations, while a third (31%) look to social media and a quarter (26%) use AI tools—especially when they’re navigating unfamiliar cities or looking for convenient locations near an event. Recommendations from friends and family are another powerful driver, with around half (51%) of consumers citing them as a factor in their choice of venue for a high tempo occasion.
The importance of online platforms makes digital discoverability essential to attracting footfall. As recent research from NIQ and Reputation shows, AI tools are likely to make online reviews and recommendations even more powerful in the years to come, so all On Premise brands will need to optimise their digital reputations and visibility to stay relevant.
It’s clear that the high tempo occasion isn’t diminishing—it’s evolving. Visits are becoming ever more nuanced, segmented and shaped by value perceptions and lifestyle rhythms. For operators and suppliers alike, understanding these shifts and tailoring experiences accordingly is key to capturing demand.
NIQ’s 2026 High Tempo Report delivers deeper analysis of these and other behaviours, with actionable insights exploring which high tempo occasions are growing, motivating factors, category consumption and the drivers of venue choice and purchases.
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