Gen Z still drinks, just earlier as the 'daycap' trend begins upending nightlife

Members of Gen Z aren't ditching alcohol altogether. They're just drinking differently — trading bar crawls for brunches, backyard hangouts and beach days, industry experts say.

A growing number of younger adults are opting for so-called "daycaps" instead of the traditional nightcap, incorporating more intentional drinking and calling it a night earlier, as Business Insider reported.

About 34% of legal-age Gen Z consumers say they prefer drinking early in the evening over late-night occasions, according to a 2026 Bacardi survey.