I remember being 18 and stepping out of a cab on a freezing Winnipeg night. A group of friends and I were shoved into the back seat, with the most charismatic of us sitting up front with the cab driver.
As we’re filing out, it was apparent that the line for the club stretched way down the street. Tonight, girls don’t pay cover, but the wait is still grueling, especially since we’re all in skirts in mid-winter. The energy is high, partly from shivering in the cold and partly from pre-game drinks at whoever’s mom was cool with hosting, but mainly for a fun night out. Every weekend, I would go out when I was 18.
It was almost like a ritual, an unspoken agreement that the weekend meant nightlife. How in the world did we do it? Fast forward to today, eight years later, the scene seems starkly different. The once vibrant nightlife seems to have been replaced by a trend among us young folks — Gen Z: staying in.
Across the globe, members of Gen Z are living more reclusive lives than previous generations. As reported by The Guardian, 71 per cent of Gen Z members go out less, a significant change from previous generations known for their party culture. We are certainly redefining what it means to be young.
However, this trend toward staying in has a complex relationship with loneliness. While some young people find comfort and connection in smaller, more controlled environments, others experience increased isolation. Loneliness and mental health issues are now on the rise among our generation.
This paradox underscores the need for a balanced approach to socializing and well-being. The post-lockdown blueprint for connecting is still evolving, but we’ve started charting a new path. We’re figuring out how to bridge the gap between staying in and the natural human need for real, physical interaction.
While it’s true that many of us are going out less, we’re reinventing what a social life looks like. We’re being more creative with how we choose to socialize.
Instead of hitting night clubs, Gen Z is finding new ways to connect and have fun. We are redefining fun to fit our evolving priorities, spaces where we can be ourselves and where connection feels genuine.
This shift also reflects broader cultural changes. Young people today are more health-conscious and financially minded. We’re opting for more cost-effective ways to socialize, such as gathering at home, meeting online or hitting local bars rather than expensive clubs.
With the rising cost of living, splurging on expensive nights out has become less appealing, forcing our generation to adapt by finding affordable yet fulfilling ways to have fun.
The rise of the “sober-curious” movement, where individuals choose to reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption, has also influenced this shift. Reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption is now not just accepted, but encouraged in social settings. This marks a huge departure from previous decades, where heavy drinking was a norm. Gen Z’s are more conscious of the long-term impact of alcohol on their physical and mental health, which has transformed the nature of our social gatherings.
Additionally, the advancement of social media and digital entertainment has made staying in more appealing. Online platforms like Twitch, Discord and Netflix offer endless interaction and entertainment from home, reducing the social anxiety sometimes associated with physical gatherings. It is socializing but on our terms.
While the stay-in trend has been killing the nightlife scene as we know it, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Nightlife culture is adjusting to suit more diverse interests. We’re gravitating towards more intimate settings like lounges and bars, finding packed clubs less appealing. Rather than lamenting the death of the club scene, we should view it as an evolution, one that matches our generation’s desire for meaning, comfort and authenticity.
The younger generation has always been in the spotlight for its unique characteristics compared to its predecessor. The differences are often noted with criticism and concern.
As the socializing landscape changes, we’re leaving our mark, forging a new definition of connecting, being young and having fun.
