British drinkers are increasingly spurning pubs and bars, preferring to chat over a bottle in restaurants or in the privacy of their own home, according to a survey.
The research by market analyst Datamonitor has also suggested beer is losing its appeal in favour of wine, with wine sales up by more than 15%, reaching £6b last year.
Sales are expected to grow by another billion to £7b by 2008.
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Part of the reason for this is that Britons are becoming more continental in their attitudes, either drinking at home or in restaurants, said Datamonitor.
More women are drinking wine, too, accounting for more than half of all wine consumption.
Report author and Datamonitor drinks analyst John Band said: “Local pubs will continue to lose out, squeezed between wine drinking at home and the big night out venues in the town centre.”
He added: “Specialising in wine and good food may be the only way some can survive."
Britain is currently fifth in the European league table of wine drinkers, the report said.
Consumption had increased from 14 litres a head in 1998, to 16.6 in 2003 and is forecast to reach 19.3 in 2008.
Top of the list is France, followed by Italy, Germany and Spain, with Ireland coming in behind the UK.
by Nic Paton
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