The 2025 national Barometer data highlights key changes in Irish drinking culture
18th November 2025 – Drinkaware, the national independent charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol misuse, today releases the latest findings from its Drinkaware Barometer 2025, offering a detailed look at adults changing drinking habits and attitudes toward alcohol consumption in Ireland.
Now in its tenth iteration, the Barometer continues to track long-term national trends in alcohol use. The research, carried out by Ipsos B&A in July 2025, points to a changing relationship with alcohol, one that increasingly centres around the home, where drinking is often solitary. While an overall pattern persists of one in four adult drinkers typically binge drinking, it is very encouraging that a growing number of people (particularly young adults) want more alcohol-free social options.
Key findings include:
- One in three adults who drink now drink at home alone at least once a week – making it Ireland’s most common drinking occasion.
- Nearly 1 in 4 (24%) adult drinkers report binge drinking on a typical day when drinking alcohol in the past 30 days, with men reporting higher levels (29%) than women (18%).
- Four in ten adults (rising to nearly two-thirds of 18–24s) believe more sober spaces would help them drink less.
A notable finding in this year’s Barometer is the sustained level of the population drinking at home, which has increased since the COVID epidemic in 2020, and particularly drinking alone. Almost one in three adults who drink (31%) now drink at home alone at least once a week, making it the most common drinking occasion in Ireland. More than half of adults (55%) are most likely to drink at home (over the past 30 days), and half are most likely to report drinking with a partner rather than in groups. At home drinking peaks among adults aged 50-64 years, with almost two-thirds (64%) reporting that this is where they are most likely to be when they have had a drink in the past 30 days, while 21% of the same age group report that they are most likely to drink alone (vs 15% adult drinkers overall).
John O’Mahony, Director of Behaviour and Attitudes Research, said, “The Drinkaware Barometer 2025 continues to build on eight years of data tracking alcohol consumption and attitudes among Irish adults. This year’s findings continue to show the evolving nature of how adults in Ireland engage with alcohol. The continued shift toward home and solo drinking is significant. It reflects changing lifestyles, post-pandemic habits, and how people are managing relaxation and stress.
By maintaining consistent measures over time, the Barometer provides valuable insights into these shifts and the social and demographic factors influencing them. This year’s results highlight how the home has replaced the pub as the main setting for alcohol consumption.”
At the same time, the research points to a strong appetite for change. Four in ten adults (39%) believe that having more alcohol-free spaces and sober events available would help them reduce their drinking, peaking significantly amongst younger adult age groups (64% of 18–24s and 51% of 25–34s) as well as those who would like to drink less (50%).
Late-night cafés (46%) and restaurants with strong non-alcoholic menus (39%) were identified as the most appealing alternatives, showing a growing demand for social connection without alcohol.
Furthermore, almost four in ten rate the current availability of sober spaces in their area as poor, signalling both the opportunity and the appetite for change.
Drinkaware CEO Dearbhla O’Brien comments on the findings, saying, “This year’s Barometer paints a nuanced picture. While weekly drinking has reduced slightly compared to the last two years, binge drinking remains deeply ingrained among 1 in 4 adult drinkers, and the rise in home and solo drinking is a significant cultural development. A very similar figure was found in the HSE’s Healthy Ireland 2025 Report, showing 26% of the Irish population are binge drinkers on a typical drinking occasion. Alcohol is increasingly seen as part of personal downtime rather than purely social occasions, and that requires a fresh approach to how we talk about alcohol, health, and mental wellbeing.”
At the same time, the research points to a strong appetite for change. Four in ten adults (39%) believe that having more alcohol-free spaces and sober events available would help them reduce their drinking, peaking significantly amongst younger adult age groups (64% of 18–24s and 51% of 25–34s) as well as those who would like to drink less (50%).
Late-night cafés (46%) and restaurants with strong non-alcoholic menus (39%) were identified as the most appealing alternatives, showing a growing demand for social connection without alcohol.
Furthermore, almost four in ten rate the current availability of sober spaces in their area as poor, signalling both the opportunity and the appetite for change.
The HSE’s Healthy Ireland 2025 report also found that 25% of adults reported drinking non-alcoholic beer, wine, or spirits. 56% of people who drink non-alcoholic drinks said they do so when they need to drive home. 29% said they drink them to reduce alcohol consumption for health reasons
Dearbhla O’Brien added, “These findings show that while alcohol still plays a major role in Irish life, many adults are looking for balance, and want healthier ways to socialise. It’s encouraging to see that so many younger adults want more alcohol-free options. We’re already seeing this shift reflected in our ‘Here’s to Change’ podcast series, where guests have shared how making small, positive changes to their relationship with alcohol has improved their sleep, mood, and overall well-being.
Ireland is ready for more choice and more conversations about what healthy, mindful drinking looks like.”
To read the full Drinkaware Barometer 2025 report, visit www.drinkaware.ie.
ENDS
For interviews or media enquiries, please contact:
Ciara O’Driscoll | Etch Communications | ciara@etchcomms.ie | 087 689 3600
Sarah Kate Spratt | Etch Communications | sarahkate@etchcomms.ie | 089 611 5041
Notes to the editor:
About Drinkaware: Drinkaware is a national charity working to prevent and reduce alcohol misuse in Ireland. It is governed by an independent board and regulated by the Charities Regulator. Registered Charity Number: 20204601
For more information on research projects and publications, visit www.drinkaware.ie/research
References
1. The Drinkaware Barometer 2025 is a national population-based survey of 1,062 adults aged 18+ conducted by Ipsos B&A in July 2025. It included a series of internationally recognised modules on alcohol consumption and mental health.