If you’ve ever spent a Friday evening at your local, you’ll recognise the familiar rhythm: someone asks ‘Whose shout is it?’ and the night begins.
From there, a merry-go-round of round-buying takes over—part ritual, part unwritten rule that defines the social fabric of Australian pub culture.
For generations, the ‘shout’ has symbolised camaraderie, generosity and an unspoken pact among mates.
The cost-of-living crunch hits the pub
But times are changing. And if you’ve noticed fewer ‘I’ll get this one’ moments at the bar, you’re not imagining it.
According to a recent report from Tyro Payments, nearly half of Australians—49 per cent—have changed their drinking habits due to financial strain.
One in 10 have stopped drinking alcohol altogether. And those who still head out for a night on the town are 35 per cent less likely to buy rounds than they were just a year ago.
Ordering solo or splitting the bill is becoming more common, a shift that may have seemed un-Australian not so long ago.
Tech takes over
The days of grabbing loose change and heading to the bar are fading. Now, it’s all about tapping cards and scanning quick response (QR) codes.
Tyro’s report found that 42 per cent of Millennials and 38 per cent of Generation Z are now using QR codes to order drinks—often bypassing the shout altogether.
Even Generation X (37 per cent) and Baby Boomers (33 per cent) are embracing the trend.
It’s not just about ease. With digital ordering, people can quietly pay for their own drinks—no pressure, no awkward maths, and no need to remember whose turn it is.
And with instant bank transfers, settling the bill is less hassle than ever.
Changing attitudes
Brian Sarkis, who manages several busy pubs in Sydney, has witnessed the shift firsthand.
‘Buying a round for six people in today’s market—that’s a big hit to the wallet,’ he says.
‘The whole shouting thing has pretty much disappeared. People are more strategic now—they know exactly what they want to spend before they even sit down.’
That strategic mindset is echoed across the country. Pubgoers are entering venues with a set budget, rather than a carefree ‘let’s see how the night goes’ approach.
Sarkis notes that QR code systems have ‘eliminated both the generosity and the guilt of round-buying’.
‘No one has to be the generous one, but no one has to be the tight one either.’
A global trend
It’s not just Australia feeling the shift. In the United States, younger drinkers are also moving away from open tabs, preferring to pay per drink using contactless payments.
Seeing money leave your account in real time has a psychological impact—it’s easier to keep tabs on spending and harder to justify that extra round.
What does this mean for Australian pub culture?
Is this the end of a golden tradition, or simply a new phase of socialising?
For some, the decline of the shout signals a loss of connection—a fading ritual that once brought people closer together.
But others view it as a sensible shift—one that promotes fairness, transparency and flexibility during financially challenging times.
It may even empower those who want to moderate their drinking or stay within a budget without feeling like they’re letting mates down.
And when someone does offer to shout, it stands out as a genuine act of generosity—not just an obligation.
What’s your take on the new shout etiquette?
Do you still enjoy shouting a round, or have you adapted to the pay-your-own-way style of pub outings? Are digital payments and QR codes killing a tradition—or simply making things easier?
We’d love to hear your views, stories and insights in the comments section below.
Also read: Pub sport blackout sparks outrage over rising fees—‘straight up un-Australian’
