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Designing drunkenness : How pubs, bars and nightclubs increase alcohol sales

Tutenges, Sébastien LU and Bøhling, Frederik (2019) In International Journal of Drug Policy 70. p.15-21
Abstract

Using ethnographic data, this paper investigates the techniques used inside pubs, bars and nightclubs to solicit and sustain alcohol consumption among patrons. Focus is on venues with the majority of patrons belonging to the age group of approximately 15-35 years. The paper identifies a number of techniques, both overt and covert, including: alcohol advertising; special offers (e.g. 'Happy Hours' and 'all you can drink' specials); bartenders' use of strategic intimacy, flirtation, and encouragements to buy more; speed drinking devices (e.g. shot glasses, 'beer bongs' and large pitchers); and architectural features that hamper moderate drinking while accelerating the purchase and intake of alcohol. These techniques were used most... (More)

Using ethnographic data, this paper investigates the techniques used inside pubs, bars and nightclubs to solicit and sustain alcohol consumption among patrons. Focus is on venues with the majority of patrons belonging to the age group of approximately 15-35 years. The paper identifies a number of techniques, both overt and covert, including: alcohol advertising; special offers (e.g. 'Happy Hours' and 'all you can drink' specials); bartenders' use of strategic intimacy, flirtation, and encouragements to buy more; speed drinking devices (e.g. shot glasses, 'beer bongs' and large pitchers); and architectural features that hamper moderate drinking while accelerating the purchase and intake of alcohol. These techniques were used most extensively in low-priced venues with the youngest patrons (e.g. themed chain pubs) and less so in more expensive venues with more adult patrons (e.g. craft beer bars). The paper argues that youth-oriented drinking venues may be conceived as staged atmospheres of consumption where individuals are seduced and compelled into purchasing alcohol. A team of 12 researchers collected the data through interviews and observations in pubs, bars and nightclubs in four cities across Denmark.

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publication status
published
subject
in
International Journal of Drug Policy
volume
70
pages
7 pages
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • pmid:31055239
  • scopus:85065060724
ISSN
1873-4758
DOI
10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.04.009
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
id
f5cd67f0-7f03-4801-945c-59de67d1250a
date added to LUP
2019-05-10 15:04:27
date last changed
2024-06-11 10:46:43
@article{f5cd67f0-7f03-4801-945c-59de67d1250a,
  abstract     = {{<p>Using ethnographic data, this paper investigates the techniques used inside pubs, bars and nightclubs to solicit and sustain alcohol consumption among patrons. Focus is on venues with the majority of patrons belonging to the age group of approximately 15-35 years. The paper identifies a number of techniques, both overt and covert, including: alcohol advertising; special offers (e.g. 'Happy Hours' and 'all you can drink' specials); bartenders' use of strategic intimacy, flirtation, and encouragements to buy more; speed drinking devices (e.g. shot glasses, 'beer bongs' and large pitchers); and architectural features that hamper moderate drinking while accelerating the purchase and intake of alcohol. These techniques were used most extensively in low-priced venues with the youngest patrons (e.g. themed chain pubs) and less so in more expensive venues with more adult patrons (e.g. craft beer bars). The paper argues that youth-oriented drinking venues may be conceived as staged atmospheres of consumption where individuals are seduced and compelled into purchasing alcohol. A team of 12 researchers collected the data through interviews and observations in pubs, bars and nightclubs in four cities across Denmark.</p>}},
  author       = {{Tutenges, Sébastien and Bøhling, Frederik}},
  issn         = {{1873-4758}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{05}},
  pages        = {{15--21}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Drug Policy}},
  title        = {{Designing drunkenness : How pubs, bars and nightclubs increase alcohol sales}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.04.009}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.04.009}},
  volume       = {{70}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}