Is high tempo socialising the new cool?
What is high-tempo socialising?
A rising social trend centered on fast-paced and high-energy experience-driven activities. It contrasts with the more relaxed and prolonged low-tempo socialising (e.g., a quiet pub drink or a slow-paced dinner with a chat).
The core element? Engaging activities
At pubs, bars, and restaurants, the crowd is actively seeking experiences and entertainment, not just passive consumption of food and drinks. This includes:
Live entertainment and music
- Karaoke booths
- Sing-alongs
- Open mic nights
- Themed dance/party nights
Immersive group events
- Escape rooms
- Themed trivia nights
- Scavenger hunts
- Murder mystery dinners
Competitive games
- Interactive darts
- Bowling
- Mini-golf
- Arcade games
Experience-driven dining
- Bottomless brunches
- Mixology/cocktail masterclasses
- Cooking competitions
- Bake-offs
When is it happening? Hint: Not just at night!
Modern high-tempo socialising goes beyond the traditional late-night/nightclub scene.
- With more focus on safety, many are drawn to fun, exciting social experiences earlier in the day.
- Venues can capitalise via social activities with more dwell time that attract groups in the daytime. E.g. bottomless brunches
Drink options? The more the merrier
While the atmosphere is fast-paced, food and beverages are still central. Alcoholic drinks are still popular and most patrons seek a wide range of options.
At the same time, there’s also a rise in responsible drinking trends like ‘zebra drinking’. Non-alcoholic beer, fancy mocktails, and soft drinks are growing in popularity.
“A fifth (21%) of those surveyed perceived socialising with zero/low alcohol options as more appealing than before”
Source: CGA by NIQ
Make the food shareable
Food is commonly purchased during these visits, often in forms that don’t interrupt the flow of fun and entertainment.
- Grazing boards
- Sharing platters
- Grab-and-go options
Gen Z and millennials in the charge
- The energetic young crowd is willing to spend more for memorable experiences.
- Hint: The more unique, visually stunning, and shareable your offerings and activities are online, the more digital natives you can attract.
Smart technology to boost the experience
A high-tempo experience requires a high-tempo service, and personalisation is key to satisfying the diverse customer segments.
Enter cloud hospitality tech solutions, such as POS and table reservation systems. They are driving this exciting new era in socialising by:
- Optimising fast-paced operations
- Tracking consumption patterns
- Offering highly tailored experiences
Want to know how IDS Next products will benefit your property?