BEING in my mid-20s and living in the UK’s bustling capital, I often feel the overwhelming pressure to go ‘out-out’ and get hammered.
But I’ve realised that these boozy nights out were costing me more than holidays to Europe – so decided to ditch them entirely.
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It’s not just me who feels the pressure – I know the feeling is mutual among many Gen Z young professionals.
Heading on a night out in the city can set you back £100, easily.
From my Zone 2 home, heading into Soho and back home will cost me £8.90.
And while I do try to pre-drink at home, sometimes time runs away and I’ll end up going to a pub or cosy bar for a couple of tipples, adding around £25 to my night out (I do realise I could make this cheaper, but I am unfortunately not a Guinness, beer or cider drinker).
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Once it is time to head to a club, like Piano Works in Covent Garden, you’ll usually be faced with an entry fee often upwards of £15.
And even when I stay closer to home in South West London it doesn’t cost me less, with entry into Margot Robbie‘s favoured spot Infernos, easily setting me back £12 or more on event nights.
That just gets you in the door – add in the cloakroom then that’s a couple of quid and drinks will quickly add up (a cheap night out for me once in the venue would be around £60).
Adding all that up, a night out would easily set me back over £120 – and that’s not to mention the urge once home to grab a takeaway.
And if you do this a few times a month, you are easily saying goodbye to over £300.
So a few years ago, I decided to swap the lingering headaches and sensitive stomachs on a Sunday and use the money for holidays, staycations and extreme day trips instead.
Plus, I have found that I am even saving money by cutting down from around three big nights out a month to just one every other month and travelling as well.
For example, on one occasion I decided to adventure off on an educational day trip that was on my bucket list – Auschwitz in Poland.
Located about a 44-minute drive from Krakow Airport, Auschwitz-Birkenau was the largest and most lethal Nazi German concentration and extermination camp complex during the Second World War.
Today, Auschwitz Memorial and Museum still stands with the remains of the camps.
It was a life changing experience to visit – especially in -15C – where I was able to explore the original barracks, watchtowers and ruins of the gas chambers.
At the time, I flew from Exeter Airport, which cost around £80 return – but there are several other airports across the UK with flights to and from Krakow, with fares as little as £27.
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Entry to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is free, but you need to book in advance.
And then a train ticket costs between £1.50 and £14.25 to Oświęcim.
In total, I spent just over £100 for the day trip.
Thanks to keeping up the habit, I am already planning some trips for the future.
For example, I am planning on heading to Carcassonne in France on October 2 and returning on October 4, from London Stansted for £42 with Ryanair.
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The historic hilltop city in south France is known for its well-preserved medieval walled city, La Cité, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Located right in the city centre, I am planning to stay at Le Couvent Hostel in a six-bed female dorm for £30.20 a night (£60.40 in total).
The hostel is set inside a 17th century convent and still features some of the original vaults.
Valencia in Spain is another spot I am keen to explore, with return flights in October available for as little as £40 per person.
Another trip that I managed to go on thanks to splashing less cash on nights out was Edinburgh, in Scotland.
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For five nights, my trip cost a total of £150 – most of which was spent on my accommodation.
I paid £75 (£15 a night) staying at Kick Ass Grassmarket hostel which is conveniently located in the centre of the city, with all the main sights within walking distance.
My flight from London Stanstead cost just £35 return, and then the rest of the money I spent on food, cutting costs by using the hostel’s kitchen.
Admittedly, I decided to not splash money on visiting some of the city’s sites including the castle, but I still could see it from the outside and learn about the history from several information boards.
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Other major tourist destinations across the city are free to visit including the Greyfriars Kirkyard, Arthur‘s Seat, Dean Village and the National Museum of Scotland.
In fact, Edinburgh is a great place if you don’t want to be paying admission fees to things.
The money I have saved on nights out hasn’t all gone on trips away either.
Since cutting back on nightclub outings, I have also managed to explore more of my own city including now seeing at least one stage show (a usually expensive hobby) each month.
Why Gen Z are ditching boozy nights out for 6am raves
Travel writer Jenna Stevens explains.
As a Gen Z, my idea of a good night out is a run along the Thames with my mates, followed by veggie pizza and kombucha in the park.
For me and many others, the buzz of group exercise and sober socials beats drugs, booze, and queueing for grimy nightclub toilets any day.
I decided to swap my pub night for an evening coffee rave – and instantly I was hooked.
The energy of caffeine, daylight and dancing with strangers was addictive – and it proved that I didn’t need booze to have fun.
And London’s sauna raves are cranking up the heat to another level.
I turned up to Shoreditch’s The Sanctuary and Soul at 6:30am, where DJ Rob da Bank performed a live set inside an infrared sauna.
With exercise, a sauna session and raving all ticked off before work, I can’t think of a better way to start the morning.
One mum has also found an incredible cheap UK holiday park that brings the best bits of Center Parcs, Butlin’s and Haven to one site.
Plus, the cheap winter sun holiday destination that Brits are flocking to – where you can still sit on the beach in November.
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