I’m sick of glugging pints – the humble half is far more chic

I wanted to sleep, not to socialise, which is why I decided to order that half-pint (Picture: Esme Craig) I’ll have a half’, I said pointing to the lager tap in front of me and smiling at the bartender. It was a Tuesday evening, and after-work drinks were in full-swing, though I was more than ready to say my goodbyes. I wanted to sleep, not to socialise, which is why I decided to order that half-pint; it was relatively cheap, cheerful, and could allow me to head home in a matter of minutes. That, however, was not why I ordered my next four half-pints, nor why I accepted my last one which (I’m proud to say) was on the house. No, the reason for ordering those had nothing to do with time or economics but everything to do with the Hollywood-handsome bartender pouring me my drinks. I admit, there is something deeply embarrassing about choosing to order four half-pints instead of two whole ones, just so I could keep returning to the bar to chat to the bartender. But I’m single, desperate and a hopeless romantic. There’s nothing quite like flirting with a hot bartender (Picture: Getty Images) There’s nothing quite like flirting with a hot bartender, and ordering double the drinks gives me twice as many opportunities to go up and attempt to spark a flame – not very successful. And while this resulted in no number exchange, but a free drink for the road, I still count this as one of the many reasons why I always opt for half-pint over a whole. It began just over a year ago during my sister’s lunch break. She asked me to grab her a half, so I did the same for myself. Cheaper and easier to carry through a bustling crowd I found myself immediately intrigued in this 284ml lifestyle. Before then, I considered the half-pint to be an almost anti-social drink, like wielding a sign that read: ‘I’ll be off in five’. In some London pubs a pint now costs a shocking £10 (Picture: Getty Images) Add this to the fact that a pint is a staple to British culture – you’d wonder why anyone would choose to humiliate themselves with such a subordinate beverage as the half pint. Well, it turns out I’m not alone – a lot of us do. Sales of half-pints have risen by 27% in a year according to the payment company, Square. I sometimes wonder if I started a new trend. And a trend it most certainly is, or at least it is amongst my generation – Gen Z. Because, though Square’s data doesn’t go into generational differences, I know from lots of anecdotal experience (going to the pub often) that many in my age bracket are ordering halves. What's your preference when enjoying a drink at the pub? A pint - it's the classic choice!Check A half-pint - more opportunities to enjoy.Check I don't mind either, depends on the mood.Check I don't drink alcohol but enjoy the atmosphere.Check Sign up to Metro's Puzzles Newsletter and get your favourite puzzles sent directly to you every day! Cost obviously plays a major role. As a generation we’re being crushed, financially and emotionally, by the cost-of-living crisis, with soaring rent prices, mounting student debt, and unprecedented levels of unemployment. Match this with the fact that in some London pubs a pint now costs a shocking £10, and you can understand why we’re cutting down. Likewise, we do have a more sensible relationship with alcohol (or boring as some elders will suggest). There is so much more to a half-pint than its cost efficiency and low alcohol level (Picture: Esme Craig) This is not to say we don’t drink, despite the sobriety stereotype. In fact, recent data shows that 74% of Gen Z who are at legal drinking age reported drinking in the past six months, up from 66%, three years ago. Nevertheless, we are more familiar with moderation and balance. Essentially, we want to enjoy the pub and still be able to do a park run the next morning. But there is so much more to a half-pint than its cost efficiency and low alcohol level. Take my love life for example – ordering a half at the beginning of a Hinge date is a necessary precaution. If you discover immediately that the man’s a lunatic or just unbelievably dull you can down a half in seconds and be off before he returns from the loo. Also, in terms of what I find attractive, there’s certainly nothing that gives me the ick more than watching a guy down a pint or trying to impress me by ‘splitting the G’ on a Guinness. To me, it feels more sophisticated, and dare I say – it’s the epitome of cool for us Gen Z. There’s a particularly epic pub in Soho called the French House. It only serves beer and cider in half-pints – a half is now tres chic (and only £3.90) Ordering half a pint doesn’t mean you drink less (Picture: Getty Images) I’m well aware this will only add evidence in support of Gen Z being ‘generation boring’, the generation sucking the joy out of everything life has to offer in the name of being responsible. A pint of beer is a pillar of British culture, messing with such a thing isn’t going to do much to improve our reputation. But maybe it’s time we question the perks of a pint. Consider this, ordering half a pint doesn’t mean you drink less, it means you engage with pub culture more. More time at the bar chatting up the barmen, more time in the crowd bumping into friends or making new ones. And after all, nothing tastes as good as that first cold, crisp sip. It’s the best part of the whole drink. Ordering a half means you get that joy twice. You see, loving a half really doesn’t mean I’m drinking half-heartedly. More often, it’s that I’m having double the fun. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk. Share your views in the comments below. Arrow MORE: Exact salary you need to earn in each major UK city for peak happiness Arrow MORE: The real dark horse of Celebrity Traitors season 2 will probably surprise us all Arrow MORE: I deserve the pension triple lock – Andy Burnham shouldn’t scrap it Puzzles Newsletter Get your favourite puzzles when they are ready to play on the website sent directly to you every day and track your daily streak!