In the almost 13 years I've worked in food, drink, restaurants and bars, I've never seen it change at such a pace as it does now. From the expectations of drinkers and diners, to the capabilities, functionality and tech of operators. It's all go, all the time at the moment.
And while all of the talk in 2025 was about closures, the cost of living and the necessity of pubs in social culture, we wanted to take a look at next year, and strike up conversation on what might be some of the biggest going out trends we'll see in 2026; Whether you own a hospitality venue or experience, or you're excited to see what might change when you go out from breakfast, through to dinner and beyond.
Below's trend suggestions are a mix of experience, genuine DesignMyNight data, and the occasional hunch.
Hospitality trends 2026: as chosen by us.
1. Competitive socialising will continue to grow
In 2017, there were only 250,000 searches on DesignMyNight a year for activities. In 2025, this has more than tripled. The general nature of going out hasn't shifted from being social, that's mostly always been a reason for leaving the house, but going out has transformed itself into an experience-based opportunity. According to KAM Insight's latest competitive socialising report: 'Nearly 1 in 3 UK adults have visited a competitive socialising venue in the past year, and among those who go, 41% are now returning at least once a month, up from 35% last year. Even more striking? Over a third say they’re visiting more often than they were 12 months ago.' From experiences like Fairgame, giving adults the chance to have all the fun of the fair, to activity pioneers Flight Club reinventing darts, we expect that in 2026, more new concepts will dominate the scene to attract hospitality goers. Question is, what concept would you like to see?
Games at Fairgame City.
2. Maximalism over minimalism
In September, Vogue detailed that fashion is seeing a continued move to maximalism, and Who What Wear labelled an 'end to quiet luxury'. So how does this apply to restaurants and bars? In a shift to what is being described as 'dopamine decor', clean lines and muted tones are being replaced in homes, in bars and in restaurants with some major storytelling and in-your-face interiors. There's always been the wild whimsy of a venue like Sketch, but 2025 has shown a continued shift to big textures, vibrant patterns and big, theatrical environments when going out. From Big Mamma's new Canary Wharf opening, another 70s paradise of chandeliers, texture and porcelain, to the boujie and boutique karaoke rooms of BAM Karaoke Box, we're expecting this trend of big styles to continue to dominate food and drink openings in 2026.
Big Mamma's glamorous new opening in Canary Wharf.
3. Fine, but casual dining
Everyone is looking to make their money go further at the moment, but when it comes to luxury, food is still where Londoners often refuse to scrimp. However, it's not just the white tablecloth settings that consumers are after these days. In a shift to what is being deemed as 'quiet luxury', high-end quality is being met with casual experiences. Formality is being replaced with authenticity, and while these restaurant types are still promising high-end beverage programs and chef-led experiences, you're not being asked to think flashy. The Restaurant Times reported that 'this innovative modern dining restaurant concept offers the best of both worlds—elevated cuisine, stylish ambiance, and attentive service, all delivered in a more relaxed setting and accessible format'. Think the likes of Brat, Oranj and Chishuru.
Casual but fine dining at Chishuru in Fitzrovia.
4. Nostalgia
In a world of growing tech, we think nostalgia could be a bit of a secret weapon for hospitality in 2026, as guests are continuing to crave comfort and familiarity. Butterfly clips are kind of back in, Y2K trends are all over major social feeds; and while we think skinny jeans are probably done (sorry, not sorry), we're seeing throwback-themed Abba events by the dozen, searches for 90s events in the hundreds of thousands on our site each year, and new restaurant openings adopting chic 70s era that Cher, in her finest decade, would have been proud of. In Booking.com's 2026 travel report, they're singing to this too, predicting that in the year to come, people will travel with nostalgia in mind, looking to destinations and experiences that help relive and rekindle past memories.
Throwback Abba nights and experiences are going to stay big.
5. Feast-style dining for groups
We're of the mind that group dining, while not a new concept, will have more of its moment in 2026. Especially feast-style dining. With searches for group-friendly restaurants up 28% in the last 6 months, we've not only seen interest in dining becoming more occasion-led than ever, but restaurants are jumping on the wants and needs of customers to celebrate around the table with large family-style portions and upfront prices. This means you know what you spend when you go out, you're not limited to one dish, and you get to spend a great time with the ones you love. Win all around.
Big feast dining at Amazonico.
6. Late-night dining
While many may think that the 7pm dinner reservation is the hardest to get, some London restaurants, in particular, are seeing an uptick with late-night tables past the 10 o'clock mark. This has very much been a style aligned to both New York, and Europe, but it's now something that UK diners can tap into to aswell. You've got a late-night menu from Oriole that starts at 10:30, who has reported a 15% increase in post-10pm reservations, and King's Cross' Decimo also offering their menu until 2am, just to name a few. Is it time that London finally staked its claim as a 24/7 city, and will the regions adopt?
![oriole late night dining london]](https://static.designmynight.com/uploads/2025/10/712.png)
Dine after 10:30pm at Oriole.
7. The fast casual makeover
Don't be surprised if some of the high street's historic restaurant chains switch things up in 2026. Legacy dining chains such as Prezzo are rebranding after decades of business, refreshing their looks, menus and overall curb appeal. But it's not just fast casual chains looking to rebrand for new audiences in the new year. Fast food/handheld is making its way into pubs and restaurants too. For example, Greggs opened an actual pub this year, appropriately named The Golden Flake Tavern. We hear McDonald's can actually call itself a restaurant, but who else would you be keen to see move from shopfront to table reservations, or switch things up in the new year?
Prezzo taking its new brand to the streets of London.
8. The pub chat continues
According to Money Week, over 2,283 pubs have closed in the UK since 2020. And in 2025? All talk has been of the future of pubs, how they will weather the increase in business costs, and how to attract punters. We're more than fond of pubs, and feel they're critical to communities, whether you're alcohol-free or not, and we expect that in 2026, unless key changes are made in the budget, they'll continue to be a key conversation. So, our suggestion? Go out, and go to the pub. Remind yourself of the cosy corners and the crisp pints. Remember how important pubs are to hospitality and local life as a whole. They're not all the same, and many now offer diverse menus, entertainment and are more family-friendly than ever. Plus, it's not all gloom, as pub searches are on the up on DMN, with a 10% increase this month compared to last, and gastro pubs like The Devonshire remain notoriously hard to get a table at.
The Devonshire, one of London's most talked about pubs in 2025.
9. Mini cocktails and mini meals
If you thought labubu's were the cutest mini thing to come out of 2025 (maybe you don't), then you're going to love mini cocktails. Hailed by Tyler Zielinski, author of 'The Art of Miniature Mixology' (who also collaborated with Bar Lina to create their tiny cocktail menu) as 'the cocktail equivalent of tapas', we've seen a growing trend of quality liquor-forward cocktail bars offering tiny drinks for as little as £4. Think quality serves, at a fraction of the size and price, such as the 5-serve flight at Archive & Myth. Now, we're not going to speculate that a certain injection may have its teeth in this one, but there's also a chance that mini meals might make a breakthrough on 2026 menus too, with Modern Hospitality reporting a 529% increase in the search for 'mini desserts'.
Mini cocktails from Archive & Myth.
10. Pinxtos and Basque dining
Firstly, what are pinxtos? Defined as 'small bites or snack serves in bars across northern Spain, especially in the Basque Country', think piquillo peppers, skewered anchovies and tortilla de patatas. Pinxtos may feel like it belongs in the 'mini meals' trend above, but we think it stands out definitively as its own 2026 growing trend. Perfect for the casual group, the dining friends and the indecisive couple, these mini plates make drinking wine, or Basque-cider easy. This Basque trend has its hold on the UK too, and we expect that to continue in the coming year, with kitchens across the country adopting its flavours and cooking techniques. Basque cuisine is often over-flame, and dedicated to seafood and seasonal supply chains, with the likes of Bar Valette, Brat, and longstanding Sagardi in Shoreditch setting the standard for these minimal yet maximum flavours.
Basque cuisine at Bar Valetta.
11. Listening bars
Listening bars, while not new in 2025, we predict will continue to grow in their presence across the UK in 2026. Reported by Dazed Digital as 'a new lease of life as young people are increasingly ditching boozy nightclubs in favour of more intentional ways of engaging music', listening bars, such as Spiritland in King's Cross, are where music is the foreground, not the background of a going-out experience. Helping guests celebrate music offline, they're a middle ground between a pub, and a DJ night, meaning you can chat and socialise, but you can find new music, experience new mixes and build a soundtrack to your night out. We don't think this will be limited to listening bars, however. In the past 12 months, we've seen a steady but stable 15% increase in people looking for live music in bars, restaurants and pubs on our site. Sure, the stadiums are packed, but we think local music experiences will shine in 2026 too.
Listening bars like Spiritland will continue to dominate 2026.
2026 going trends in summary
The way we eat, drink, and socialise is changing fast, and 2026 is set to be one of the most exciting years yet. From feast-style dining to competitive socialising, there’s something for everyone. Ready to explore what’s new? Head to DesignMyNight and start discovering the experiences that will define your next year of going out.
