Traditional bar snacks are on the way out as pubgoers turn to gourmet flavoured crisps and olives

Pubgoers are shunning traditional bar snacks such as salted peanuts and pickled onions in favour of gourmet-flavoured crisps and olives, a study has found. 

Drinkers across the UK are turning their backs on traditional crisp flavours and nuts, with artisan nibbles such as cashew nuts and popcorn proving more popular instead.

A survey of 1.5million orders conducted by ServedUp – a mobile order-and-pay system – from April 12 this year after Covid restrictions were eased found punters are choosing trendy treats over classic ones.

Drinkers across the UK are turning their backs on traditional crisp flavours and nuts, with artisan nibbles such as cashew nuts and popcorn proving more popular instead. The hospitality technology business witnessed demand for gourmet flavoured crisps rise by 16 per cent and olives eight per cent during the same period

Since April, the appetite for healthier baked crisps has risen by 23 per cent, while interest in cashew nuts and popcorn has risen by 20 and 12 per cent respectively.

The hospitality technology business witnessed demand for gourmet flavoured crisps rise by 16 per cent and olives eight per cent during the same period. 

Low-carb diets like paleo and keto have risen in popularity, as have high-protein snacks such as Biltong and the traditional South African cured meat snack, the ServedUp study found. 

A survey of 1.5million orders conducted by ServedUp – a mobile order-and-pay system – from April 12 this year after Covid restrictions were eased found punters are choosing trendy treats over classic ones (stock image) 

CEO Hugo Tilmouth said: ‘Brimming with life, creativity, great minds and innovative start-ups, the north is a cosmopolitan, vibrant melting pot. And with that has come prosperity – and a love of the finer things in life.

‘While there will always be a place for traditional bar snacks it is clear there is a revolution underway as smart, upmarket bars and restaurants open offering a wide range of more eclectic snacks.

‘Obviously our data reveals a snapshot of life in Britain’s bars and pubs, but could it be that the north has overtaken the south and is now the epicentre of the upmarket bar room nibble?

‘What’s similarly interesting is that technology seems to have influenced how experimental we are with our ordering habits. 

‘Lots of us can relate to that pressure cooker moment at the bar, where we revert to autopilot ordering in a bid to be quick and polite. But as we’ve embraced mobile menus, we’ve seen consumers increasingly trying new and alternative options too.’

Servedup’s app is available in thousands of pubs and restaurants around Britain enabling them to provide a snack map which shows which treats are frequently consumed in specific areas.

According to the map the towns and cities with increasingly sophisticated snack palates include Manchester, York and Aberdeen.

Possibly driven by formerly London-based hipsters heading for the coast, the data also revealed Margate’s genteel nature based on punters’ appreciation for Pipers Sea Salt crisps, an elevated gluten free and vegan approved interpretation of a British crisp classic.

But if you still prefer the more traditional pack of Monster Munch or Mini Cheddars with your pint, Middlesborough or Swansea is where you want to head to.

The data reveals a southern contingent of crisp snackers while the ‘nut hub’ appears to be the Midlands. Snacks sold in pubs pre-lockdown were worth £24million and are set to increase further according to experts.

After pub gardens reopened on April 12 sales of snack items in supermarkets began to slow down. Around one in five pub punters are estimated to buy a snack with their drink. In March a poll of 2,000 adults revealed pork scratchings as the country’s favourite bar snack.

A spokesman for ServedUp confirmed bar snacks have finally come to the attention of foodies who like to give off an air of sophistication while sipping their sauvignon blanc.

Mr Tilmouth added ‘If we look back, searching for the little blue sachet in a packet of Salt and Shake crisps was possibly the most novel and exciting as snacks got. So it’s great to see Brits are being more adventurous as flavours and choices evolve.

‘Snacks can be a great way for businesses to increase sales, so it’s important for publicans to always be on the lookout for new and inspiring options.

‘Whether you’re a plain crisp purist or prefer a pretzel or pistachio to accompany your pint, ServedUp will have them at your fingertips in a matter of minutes.’