Young Australian men swap pub nights for online gaming

Young Australian men are shifting their social lives from pubs to gaming platforms, with new research indicating that online play now rivals the bar as a primary place for meeting friends.

A survey commissioned by gaming brand Logitech G and conducted by Antenna Insights found that 61% of Gen Z Australian men aged 18 to 24 prefer to connect with friends through online gaming rather than visiting a pub or bar.

The study sampled more than 1,500 Australians aged 18 to 45. It reported that nearly half of all respondents aged 18 to 24, or 49%, prefer a video gaming night at home with friends instead of going out to a pub.

Across all adults surveyed, gaming nights also drew significant support. One-third of respondents aged 18 to 45, or 34%, said they would rather stay in and play video games with friends than visit a bar.

The findings suggest a reconfiguration of the traditional end-of-week outing. The research indicates that many younger adults now treat digital spaces as their main venue for shared experiences.

Researchers identified several reasons for the shift. They cited lower cost, relaxation and ease of organisation as key drivers behind the move away from pubs and bars.

Among those who chose video games over going out, 54% said affordability was a major factor. Another 47% highlighted the relaxing nature of gaming. A further 42% said gaming sessions were easier to organise than other activities.

The survey results also point to a broader reassessment of how people view gaming. Respondents indicated that online play now functions as a setting for camaraderie rather than an isolated pastime.

Logitech G said the findings reflected changing economic and social conditions that affect how young Australians socialise. Rising living costs have made regular nights out less accessible for many people in their late teens and early twenties.

"Online gaming has cemented itself as a powerful engine for building and strengthening friendships, with Logitech G's study directly proving this," said Daniel Hall, Senior Category Manager, Logitech G ANZ.

Hall said online play now operates alongside traditional meet-ups rather than replacing them outright.

"Although in-person catch-ups will forever have a role to play, video games are providing an essential platform for digital socialising in Australia and beyond. It allows friends to connect more frequently than they otherwise would, ultimately leading to more long-lasting social bonds," said Hall.

New 'third spaces'

The research also examined where Australians locate their main "third space" for social interaction beyond home and work. Respondents ranked online gaming as the country's second-favourite third space.

Overall, 18% of Australians surveyed said online gaming on consoles, PCs or mobile platforms was their primary third space. Cafes and restaurants ranked first at 32%. Pubs and bars came in third at 16%.

Other organised activities, such as sporting teams and community groups, each attracted less than 9% of respondents as their main third space.

The shift towards online environments is stronger among younger men. The survey found that 38% of Gen Z males identify online gaming as their primary third space for social connection.

The data suggest that this group spends more time in direct social interaction each week than peers who rarely game. According to the findings, frequent gamers record 3.8 more hours of social time with friends per week compared with infrequent gamers.

Hall said the numbers linked regular gaming with reported friendship satisfaction.

"The data demonstrates that frequent gamers enjoy the highest friendship satisfaction out of any cohort, especially for daily male gamers. Evidently, online gaming is a sure way to deepen existing friendships, but it also has the potential to spark new social connections beyond established social circles," said Hall.

Long-distance ties

The survey highlighted the role of online platforms in maintaining relationships across distance. It reported that 73% of gamers rely on online play to sustain long-distance friendships.

Respondents said regular gaming sessions offer a structured way to check in with friends who live in other cities or regions. This gives many players a regular shared activity that does not require travel.

Logitech G said the research underlines the growing importance of digital venues for social contact among Australian Gen Z men. The company said it expects online gaming communities to play an expanding role in how young adults build and maintain relationships in the coming years.