6:12pm is the new 8pm

In 2025, 5,000 British consumers were surveyed about their going out and eating out preferences.
Consumer behaviour is shifting towards going out earlier, with the new preferred start time for consumers’ bookings at restaurants, pubs and bars now sitting at 6:12pm.
This marks a continuance of a trend that started post-pandemic, with consumers increasingly favouring convenience when it comes to their visits to hospitality venues.
But what are the key factors that are influencing this shift towards earlier booking times?
Which consumers are seeing the biggest behavioural shifts?
And what are the biggest priorities for guests when choosing to visit hospitality venues earlier?