Bars and nightclubs in the U.S. - statistics & facts

The bar and nightclub industry in the United States is a lucrative part of the larger food and drinks services industry. Bars, also known as pubs or taverns, are establishments that serve alcoholic, and other, beverages, often with a light food menu. Nightclubs also serve alcoholic drinks, but they typically contain a dance floor with a stage for DJs or live music. Revenue of both bars and nightclubs comes primarily from the sale of alcoholic beverages. Prior to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, total alcoholic beverage sales in the U.S. had been rising for years. However, 2020 saw an abrupt reversal of this trend. Although not yet reaching pre-pandemic sales of 2019, sales in 2021 totaled 247.3 billion U.S. dollars. During that same year, the number of businesses in the bar and nightclub sector in the U.S. was roughly 67 thousand.

Types of bars and nightclubs in the U.S.

There are many different types of bars and nightclubs in the United States. For example, sports bars show sports games on televisions for their patrons to view and cheer on their favorite teams. In the U.S. there are many well-known sports bar chains, when considering the leading sports bar chains by sales, Buffalo Wild Wings was the leader by far in 2021 with nearly four billion U.S. dollars in sales. Wine bars are also common in the U.S., over the past decade, the number of wine bars in the U.S. remained relatively stable. In contrast, the number of karaoke bars in the U.S. decreased year-on-year over the past decade. Karaoke bars provide either small private rooms or a public stage for consumers to sing along to instrumental versions of popular music.

Impact of COVID-19 on U.S. bars and nightclubs

The bar and nightclub industry was heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic with social distancing measures resulting in the temporary closure of many establishments. Similarly, restaurants were forced to close indoor dining facilities but were still able to offer takeaway food for sale. Bars and nightclubs, however, were not able to remain in operation as their primary source of revenue is not food but alcoholic beverages. This can be seen in the large drop in the number of employees in the bar and nightclub sector in the U.S., which reached its lowest value of the entire decade in 2020. The crisis also affected the market size of bars and nightclubs in the U.S. which declined by over 12 billion U.S. dollars that same year. One figure that did increase in 2020 was the overall consumption of cordials and liqueurs in the United States.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.

Market size of the bar and nightclub sector in the U.S.: 26.67bn USD

Number of employees in the bar and nightclub sector in the U.S.: 353.85k

Total alcoholic beverage sales in the U.S.: 247.3bn USD

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Market size of the bar and nightclub sector in the United States from 2012 to 2021, with a forecast for 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs

U.S. bar and nightclub market size 2012-2022

Number of businesses in the bar and nightclub sector in the United States from 2011 to 2021, with a forecast for 2022 (in 1,000s)

Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs

Bar and nightclub business count in the U.S. 2011-2022

Number of employees in the bar and nightclub sector in the United States from 2012 to 2021, with a forecast for 2022 (in 1,000s)

Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs

Bar and nightclub employee count in the U.S. 2012-2022

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