Gen Z. Millennial. Boomer… I have a serious loathing for those chronically overused labels.

Lumping us into generational cohorts truly is the astrology of our modern era.

I get that cultural, political and technological shifts can define how people of certain ages experience and live life; but using those sociological markers to suggest that everyone born within an arbitrary 15-year stretch is by definition going to be ‘lazy’ or ‘wealthy’ or ‘attention-seeking’ transcends dear old Mystic Meg’s levels of over-generalisation.

And yet you hear it all the time. Apparently, young people today ‘aren’t drinking’ to the bacchanalian levels that most over-40s remember of their own misadventure-strewn youth.

Lots of agendas are at play in this widely accepted, sweeping overview of ‘Gen Z culture’, from public health messaging to well-funded no/low drinks marketing and (of course) the usual deadening impacts of social media on anything that isn’t optimised and clinically stage-managed.

But intoxication is our birthright. Seeking altered states and imbibing things that amplify emotions isn’t something that dramatically goes out of fashion, no matter how much the generational trend forecasters try to spin it. Plus, you only have to read a different report, keen to present a different perspective, and you’ll hear contradictorily evidence such as “four out of five young adults still drink alcohol and are more likely to binge drink, and drink at high risk or dependent levels compared to drinkers aged 25 and over.” That’s from Drinkaware’s The Sober Myth Report, conducted in 2023.

We all know that alcohol has devastating potential to be problematic – for mind, body, family and society – but it also, unquestionably, has the power to facilitate the very best of times, too. And it’s ridiculous to so frequently leave that bit out of the story.

The sheer white-heat, red-faced joy of a raucous pub room in full flight, or swaying home all late-night elated with arms around your mates, gets downplayed in a deluge of negativity, social control or the well-meaning redemption narratives of people for whom consumption is no longer a good idea.

As a result, society’s dysfunctional, over-dependent relationship with booze continues, infusing degrees of guilt, sin and infantilised ‘naughtiness’ into every occasion, famously from births right through to deaths.

Strict regulations forbid promoting drinks as enabling success, too much fun or people looking under 25. The rather poor stock photo I used to illustrate today’s email seems to have got away with the women’s abandoned laughter by making the drinks look like bottles of fizzy pop.

I once worked for a brand, (who will remain nameless but truly should have known better), that I witnessed having to scrap an entire video campaign promoting their new vodka, since it ill-judgedly inferred blowjobs were taking place when in fact - of course! - people were just necking shots of the grain spirit in a darkened toilet. Thank goodness we’ve moved roundly on from an era when that kind of messaging was seen as edgy.

Battling over whether ‘young people’ do or don’t drink like they used is to miss the brilliant truth that, whatever the hell they end up doing on any given day, today’s youth have much more agency over their choices than ever before.

I’d suggest that the percentage drop in drinkers likely reflects those who’d previously have been compelled to get shitfaced - to avoid an extinction-level impact on their social life - now being able to say ‘no thanks’ without shame or censure.

These days, acceptance of a wide range of beliefs, preferences and personalities means there’s simply less crushing pressure on a narrow definition of ‘having a good time’ being based around sloshing back the ethanol. It’s another thing for the pint-wielding Farage to rail against the Muslims for, no doubt.

Among those that remain keen to temporarily pique their brain chemistry of an evening, the biggest factor behind the lazy ‘young people don’t drink’ myth is that it simply costs too much to go out to a pub or club and purchase enough of the stuff to get smashed. (Even that narrative is on shaky evidence though, as the death of cut price midweek student nights has been greatly exaggerated.)

As those assembled for next Friday’s (11th July) delightfully all-ages outdoor picnic/party on Hampstead Heath - Dig It Soundsystem’s annual bash at Parliament Hill Bandstand - will attest, it may also be that younger members of society are drinking relatively less when compared to their enthusiastic wine and beer-quaffing elders.

But woe betide me for suggesting that an entire generation all behave in one homogenous way. Vive la différence - and cheers! 🥂

FOOD & DRINK

🍺 The Grafton’s shock closure - and surprise reopening

There was heavy and immediate consternation to note that the tables remained chained up and the windows uncharacteristically dark at NW5’s classic corner pub at the start of this week.

A disturbing hand-written sign delivered the news that, less than a year after being taken back from bland brewery control to become a proud independent once more, The Grafton was the latest local to have unceremoniously gone dark.

With the spiraling cost of beer, utilities and all the rest, just as customers continue to be squeezed on all fronts too, it’s damn tough out there in pub land. However, that’s not the full picture, as we’re incredibly lucky that pubs ‘round here remain in-demand from operators, regardless.

As the week progressed, it was revealed that the pub will reopen again very soon, after another little spruce up (those oft-funky-scented toilets could do with some pipe work), and under the control of the small group who recently sadly lost the Gipsy Queen, just around the corner. What a twist.

It’s not the first time the two pubs have been linked in a turbulent ownership triangle, either. Exactly a decade ago this month, acclaimed publican couple Joel and Suzy Czopor - who had then recently transformed The Grafton from an over-modernised and overlooked boozer into a national award-winning, wildly busy gastropub - decided to open a second site, and took on the then ailing Gipsy.

Having two locations sadly didn’t last long, and the duo soon quit the capital altogether, citing the stress of the expansion as one of the factors, so it’s intriguing to see how these two beloved local pubs continue to be intertwined as they both face towards new futures right now.

The reopening date and more info on the new operator’s plans are sure to follow in Camdenist in the weeks ahead…

FESTIVALS

More big hitters across the whole weekend

🏳️‍🌈 It’s the overwhelming spectacle of the Pride parade and associated revelries, that will be taking over much of central London this Sat 5th Jul. In amongst it, do make sure to check out Gospel Oak-based MOTHER Canteen's marketplace, who will be showcasing queer artists and makers all day long on St Giles Square by Denmark Street, neatly placed on the fringes before the thronging masses in Soho.

🛝 Peckfest 2025 is the long-standing NW5 Community Project’s annual family-friendly jamboree, taking place on Sat 5th Jul, for a slightly more sedate Saturday afternoon choice.

🥐 It’s the grand finale of Hampstead Summer Festival on Sun 6th Jul with Heath Street closed to traffic and lined with 110+ stalls selling artisan crafts, designer fashions, and a smorgasboard of international food and drink at The Big Fair 2025. There’s also lots of live music from local bands at the big stage up the top too.

🎸 More free street-fest fun can be had down the road on Sun 6th, too, as the massive Cally Festival returns to a large tract of Caledonian Road, packing in over 7k locals with all the usual attractions from music stages to arts and crafts workshops, dance-offs and more.

🎭 Camden People’s Theatre hosts the disabled-led Every Body Festival until 12th July, where you can expect everything from panel discussions and digital shows, to workshops and works-in-progress alongside the big shows, all on the topics that matter most to disabled theatres lovers, writers, producers and audiences.

Popular links you might have missed

🤳🏼 In defence of phone snatchers - wait, I’m not saying what you think

🦹🏼 This is our secret superpower - why going to Camden’s schools is a lifetime asset

🐝 Alert! Wasps (and wildebeest) are on the loose - checking out UCL’s new exhibition

Regular Music and Stage listings are back bigger and better from next week…

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