Cost of living crisis is quietly killing the beloved Aussie tradition of shouting a round at pub for mates

The ongoing cost-of-living crunch is quietly killing an Aussie tradition as old as Vegemite — shouting your mates a round at the pub.

New research has revealed drinkers are now more likely to go it alone when it comes to paying for their drinks, as squeezed personal finances make a trip to the bar for multiple beers — at up to $15 a pop — a wallet-shrinking experience.

A survey of more than 1000 people by comparison site Finder discovered almost one in three people had stopped “shouting” food or drinks with friends in the past 12 months in a bid to save money.

A further 17 per cent admit they have cut back on buying rounds of drinks or food while socialising with friends.

While most regular pub-goers have long been used to the sky-high prices charged by their local, lingering inflation means budgets are still being stretched, even as three rounds of interest rate relief from the Reserve Bank have offered some respite for mortgaged households.

Finder’s Rebecca Pike said shouting a round was becoming a luxury many could no longer afford.

“Money is tight for a lot of Aussies right now so even something as simple as buying a round can feel like a financial stretch,” Ms Pike said.

“Many people just don’t have the spare room in their budget or the confidence they’ll be paid back later.

“Sometimes the favour isn’t returned, with some mates consistently avoiding or delaying returning the shout.”

The research also revealed a gender gap between who’s still willing to take a punt on shouting a rounds of drinks.

Women (32 per cent) were much more likely than men (21 per cent) to have cut back on shouting rounds when out with friends.

Ms Pike said gone are the days when shouting a round was a no-brainer.

“Not everyone gets around to paying their share. For someone living pay cheque to pay cheque, that $40 or $50 round could mean going without something essential later in the week,” she said.

“If you do go in a shout, follow the etiquette — buy the more expensive drink when it is your turn and not when it is your mate’s.

“If you’re continuing to buy rounds, always make sure you’re sticking to a budget and that you’re keeping track of how much you’re actually spending.”

She also suggest using bill-splitting apps to help everyone pay their fair share.

The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows the price of alcohol and tobacco rose 1.6 per cent between the June and September quarters — substantially higher than the food and non-alcoholic beverages category, which jumped 0.7 per cent.

It was the third-highest rising category, behind only housing (at 2.5 per cent) and recreation and culture (1.9 per cent)