Meta-dining, customised meals and alcohol-free venues will shape the future of Aussie hospitality going forward, finds a new research report from YouGov and me&u.

The ‘Pubs, Pints & Predictions: Hospitality Ten Years On’ report has uncovered what the pub of the future will look like and the trends that will redefine what it means to go out.

“With Australia’s hospitality sector one of the most heavily affected in the world, this has and is still impacting staffing, service and customer experience when it comes to going out,” says me&u’s global CEO Katrina Barry. “The report looks to explore the key themes and developments, uncovering the pub of the future to arm our allies, your favourite venues, with the trends that can help them future proof their offering, and understand their customer a little better.”

How tech will change the industry

Some of the key findings from the report (which was produced in partnership with YouGov) will be eye-opening for many small businesses in Aussie hospitality. Particularly when it comes to how tech will change the industry. For instance, the majority of customers are expecting to see venues use smart technology to enhance their experience. For instance, 57 per cent of Aussies want to use an app or tech platform to make the process of ordering easier.

However, it goes much further than that for millennials. They’d be happy ordering from your venue in the metaverse first. And while they’re there, they’d also like to experience virtual reality activities, such as virtual tours of the region they selected their wine from.

The way venues collect and use customer data is also a future consideration. With the rise of hyper-personalised venues comes the need to tailor the experience to every unique visitor. In the future, consumers might expect the ability to control the music at their table or turn down the lights. They might even expect the chef cook them up something special – consumers surveyed said they would be more likely to visit venues that use technology to give them a personalised menu that’s unique to their tastes, including tailored beverage recommendations.

“Audiences are now used to choice and control – welcome to generation ‘on-demand’,” says Michael Rodrigues 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, NSW Government. “The mistake for Australian venues would be to settle for a rebuilding mindset, when a reforging one is needed. This is an opportunity to think differently.”

Drinking no longer the main event

Findings showed that Aussies have changed their night-out habits in recent years and it’s no longer just about the drinking. The number of Aussies who consume alcohol may be on the decline with 30 per cent expecting to be drinking less in five years time and 22 per cent likely to give up drinking alcohol altogether.

“For pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants globally, we have to acknowledge that our customer has changed, and will change again; and we have to be ready, willing and able to arm ourselves with the right tools, partners and technologies to keep up,” says Barry. “Businesses will need to be creative, to be brave, to try new things whilst remaining agile and nimble within the market.”

Although pub lunches and boozy brunches are far from extinction, 40 per cent of people say they’re happy to visit alcohol-free venues, with a similar number expecting venues to have a good range of alcohol-free options.

They’re also starting and finishing their nights earlier and are less willing to stand in long queues. Future Aussies will also be less likely to bar hop, preferring to stay in one venue. They’d rather use their night out to spend more quality time with friends and family.

Creative, flexible venues are therefore the way forward for Aussie hospitality. A huge 78  per cent of customers are expecting pubs to adapt to different needs across the week. So offering a space for a community meeting, a hub for parents to meet up for coffee, or a working space away from home is the future.

But it’s still really all about the people

Much has been said about the role pubs and bars play in Australia. They act as a midway point between home and work, fulfilling the role of the ‘third place’ where Aussies can socialise and make new connections.

Supporting this, the report found that Australians look for venues which are inclusive of all walks of life. Most Aussies agree that all venues need to be accessible and welcoming for those with disabilities, now and into the future. In fact, 68 per cent agreed that they would only attend pubs, bars and restaurants that support diversity and inclusion.

Which brings us back to the real heart of Aussie hospitality: the people. For centuries, the pub and bar has been the beating heart of communities and while online ordering or metaverse experiences are one thing, genuine interactions and human connections can’t be replaced by technology.

You can read the full report here.

Want more? Get our newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! Follow Kochie’s Business Builders on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Now read this:

https://www.kochiesbusinessbuilders.com.au/the-metaverse-and-beyond-4-ways-the-metaverse-is-set-to-change-how-consumers-engage-with-retailers/