Pub Games Surge in Popularity as Gen Z Rekindles Traditional Pastimes

Pub games, once relics of the past, are experiencing a resurgence, capturing the hearts of Gen Z with their nostalgic charm. From traditional darts and skittles to innovative tech darts and crazy golf, these games have evolved to cater to modern tastes, providing a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere where camaraderie and healthy competition thrive.

Pub Games Experience a Renaissance as Gen Z Embraces Traditional Pastimes

For centuries, pub games have been an integral part of convivial gatherings, intertwining variations of timeless pastimes such as coin pushing, cue and ball, bat and ball, cards, dice, and board games with the culture of imbibing beverages. Regrettably, many of these traditional games have receded into the past due to the decline of pubs in recent years.

However, pub culture has undergone an evolution, and so too have the cherished games that have long been associated with it. It appears that these traditional pastimes are experiencing a veritable renaissance, particularly among Generation Z, who have embraced pub games such as darts, skittles, quoits, and crazy golf with great enthusiasm.

Witnessing this firsthand on a recent Saturday outing with my family, which included six young adults in their twenties and three slightly more seasoned individuals, I experienced the intergenerational appeal of these games firsthand. Following a boozy bottomless brunch, during which I would typically indulge in a mid-afternoon nap, I found myself adorned with a complimentary garland of plastic flowers and enthusiastically knocking back strawberry daiquiris. My companions and I set off for a spirited round of darts, much to my initial skepticism.

"Cocktails and darts could pose a potentially lethal combination," I mused, tipsily twirling my garland as we made our way towards the Roxy Ballroom, an establishment that boasts of having "served up booze and ball games since 2013."

This Leeds venue spans two floors and offers a wide array of games, including pool, beer pong, mini golf, basketball, shuffleboard, and "tech darts." Billed as "different interactive games based on traditional darts," these electronic iterations appeared essentially similar to regular darts to my untrained eye, with the notable exception of the automatic scorekeeping displayed on a screen alongside each player's photograph.

My experience with darts had been dormant for so long that I could scarcely recall the intricacies of the game. I required frequent reminders of the rules and the target zones. Moreover, as I stepped up to the oche, I found myself squinting at the dartboard due to two factors: firstly, I was without my glasses, and secondly, the aforementioned strawberry daiquiris had apparently endowed me with the ability to perceive double vision. Despite these impairments, I managed to accumulate a surprisingly decent score, much to my astonishment. It transpired that my dart-throwing abilities were not entirely rusty. Alongside my nephew Jack, I formed a formidable team and surged ahead in the competition.

Unbeknownst to me, darts unleashed a competitive streak within me that I never knew existed. I found myself whooping with joy and exchanging high-fives with my teammate. "Amateurs!" Jack and I would sneer whenever our opponents failed to hit the dartboard. Though the ultimate outcome of our game eludes my memory, we managed to secure a respectable second place.

The experience was both exhilarating and nostalgic. Gazing around the venue, I observed a multitude of young people indulging in darts and other activities—essentially modernized versions of games that have long been enjoyed in pubs. Despite the potential influence of the strawberry daiquiris, I found it heartwarming to witness the younger generation embracing such simple pleasures.

This phenomenon has been aptly termed "Competitive Socialising," characterized by convivial venues with an Instagram-friendly aesthetic that offer games such as pinball, table football, and ping pong alongside food, beverages, and music. These establishments provide wholesome entertainment with ample TikTok potential and have revitalized the leisure industry. My niece and nephews frequent venues such as Flight Club (which offers supercharged darts), Bongo Bingo (a party-infused twist on bingo, complete with dance-offs and "rave intervals"), and Junk Yard Golf (crazy golf courses adorned with scrap yard slides and wrecked car parts). When I inquired about the appeal of such venues for their demographic, they cited the fun alternative to clubbing and the heightened sociability.

While digital gameplay venues continue to proliferate, it is evident that Gen Z still holds a fondness for traditional pub games. The enduring appeal of a simple game shared with friends over a pint or two remains fundamentally unchanged, reminiscent of the dominoes matches my father would engage in twice weekly at his local pub's smoky tap room.

The inclusive atmosphere of our darts game at Roxys (as the younger generation affectionately refers to it) was particularly noteworthy. It felt like a welcoming and safe environment to spend a Saturday afternoon, even for a tipsy middle-aged auntie bedecked with plastic flowers.