From pints to profits: one in five Brits dream up business ideas at the pub

Many associate going to the pub with marking the start of the weekend, catching up with friends, or downing a much-needed pint after a stressful week at work.

But new research from website builder GoDaddy reveals that Britain’s boozers are serving up more than just lager and crisps – they’ve also become an unlikely breeding ground for business ideas, with one in five Brits finding inspiration to start a business while at the pub.

And while some concepts may be forgotten by closing time, others are turning into real businesses – complete with domains, trademarks, and even paying customers.

The “beer mat” revolution

British pubs have long been the heart of local communities, but a new survey by GoDaddy suggests that they’ve also become an unofficial startup incubator.

The data – surveying 2,000 adults across the UK – found that 18% of Brits have come up with a business idea at the pub.

The younger generation (aged 35 or under) was also more likely to find inspiration over a pint, with 32% of under-35s coming up with a venture idea, while 23% devised a website idea.

This comes as UK hospitality continues to struggle with ongoing cost pressures. While the Government has launched a business rates relief scheme for pubs, many venues have been forced to shut their doors in the last year. 

According to statistics reported by The Morning Advertiser, a total of 3,353 accommodation and food service businesses (including restaurant businesses, pubs, and hotels) entered insolvency in 2025.

And while social culture – such as catching up with friends – remains the top reason 51% of Brits like going to the pub, this research suggests the humble local is quietly taking on a second role and becoming a space where casual conversations turn into serious business ideas.

Turning inspiration into infrastructure

While some might assume that business ideas born in the pub are forgotten by the morning, GoDaddy’s survey actually found it was the complete opposite.

After all, it revealed that 12% of respondents have gone on to purchase a domain immediately after leaving the pub. 

Dominic Radcliffe, founder of nettle tea business Heavy Nettle, got inspired to officially launch his business after talking about his idea with a friend at The Army & Navy pub in Newington Green, London.

Radcliffe explains: “I’d come up with the name, Heavy Nettle, but it wasn’t until I discussed the idea over pints with a mate at The Army & Navy that I started to realise it could become a real thing.”

After some encouragement, Radcliffe immediately bought the domain and registered the trademark on the spot.

“Pubs are the perfect environment to discuss and improve on nascent ideas,” he adds. “They are cultural hubs where people come to exchange thoughts and get into topics great and small. With that in mind, emboldened by a pint or two, it’s no surprise ideas start to become a reality.”

What’s on tap? The businesses brewing in local pubs

Between rounds and half-finished packets of crisps, friends are sketching side hustles, debating logo ideas, and daring each other to actually give it a go, making the pub an unlikely launchpad for new businesses.

Further analysis from GoDaddy reveals that retail and ecommerce businesses were most likely to be created in this setting, accounting for 9% of pub-born ideas. This was followed by tech (9%), pet care (7.5%), fashion (7.5%), and hospitality (7.5%).

Some more “out of the box” ideas – possibly thought of after downing a little more liquid courage – also came about later in the night. This includes a Crufts-like event for talentless dogs, a park inside a warehouse, or going full on Willy Wonka with chewing gum that never loses its flavour.

“Beyond being a social space, pubs are increasingly a place for people to gain inspiration, test ideas, and take their first steps towards entrepreneurialism,” says Alexandra Rosen, Economist and Head of GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab.

“Across multiple years of work with Frontier Economics, we’ve seen a consistent relationship: increases in digital microbusinesses correlate with higher wages, additional local jobs and measurable gains in GDP at the local level.”

Discover the ales and ails of hospitality

Planet of the Grapes founder Matt Harris has over 25 years of experience in hospitality. Read his bi-monthly column for Startups now.

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