The pandemic changed the way Americans drink. But you probably didn’t need me to tell you that. When we were all stuck at home it seemed like any hour could be happy hour. And recently consumer trends show that to be the case. According to Top Agency, happy hour bar visits have increased 54% compared to pre-pandemic statistics. This statistic comes from a study conducted by Top about cocktail trends in the contiguous United States. The study also looked at the favorite cocktail in each state and well North Carolina, we certainly are not unique.
TopAgency looked at the most popular cocktails in each state and the margarita took that title in 22 of 48 states (Alaska and Hawaii were omitted). I have to say that comes as a bit of a surprise. Don’t get me wrong I love a good margarita, but I very rarely will order one outside of a Mexican restaurant or beach bar. But a lot of people in landlocked states must be! Other popular cocktails were Pina Coladas (again who is ordering these not at the beach?), Martinis, and Blood Marys.
One additional statistic Top Agency tracked the states that have the most bar visits per 100K inhabitants. And neither North or South Carolina was near the top of that list. The winner? North Dakota. I haven’t visited the Dakotas and I’m sure they are lovely places but I’m not surprised as I don’t think there are significant options for things to do.
How was this data collected?
The TOP Agency data team analyzed digital commerce trends in 2022. They used a combination of GPS tracking data from bars and a survey of 1,000 Americans, to determine the frequency of visits to these establishments and the most popular cocktails in the United States. Keep reading to see the states with the most bar visits as well as each state’s favorite cocktail. Cheers!
1. North Dakota
22.4
Favorite Cocktail: Martini
2. Nevada
21.4
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
3. Wyoming
20.6
Favorite Cocktail: Old Fashioned
4. Arizona
19.7
Favorite Cocktail: Pina Colada
5. Colorado
18.8
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
6. Florida
18.1
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
7. Wisconsin
18.0
Favorite Cocktail: Bloody Mary
8. Montana
17.5
Favorite Cocktail: Cosmopolitan
9. Michigan
16.5
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
10. Minnesota
16.5
Favorite Cocktail: Pina Colada
11. South Dakota
15.6
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
12. Oregon
15.0
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
13. Rhode Island
14.5
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
14. Ohio
14.2
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
15. Illinois
14.1
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
16. Washington
14.1
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
17. Nebraska
13.7
Favorite Cocktail: Bloody Mary
18. Iowa
13.6
Favorite Cocktail: Martini
19. Pennsylvania
13.5
Favorite Cocktail: Pina Colada
20. California
13.3
Favorite Cocktail: Martini
21. Delaware
13.0
Favorite Cocktail: Bloody Mary
22. Kansas
12.9
Favorite Cocktail: Bloody Mary
23. Idaho
12.7
Favorite Cocktail: Pina Colada
24. Missouri
12.7
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
25. Indiana
12.4
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
26. South Carolina
12.3
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
27. Massachusetts
12.2
Favorite Cocktail: Martini
28. New Hampshire
11.8
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
29. Connecticut
11.7
Favorite Cocktail: Pina Colada
30. New Mexico
11.1
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
31. Texas
11.1
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
32. Tennessee
10.5
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
33. New Jersey
10.4
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
34. New York
10.1
Favorite Cocktail: Martini
35. North Carolina
10.0
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
36. Maryland
9.9
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
37. Oklahoma
9.7
Favorite Cocktail: Pina Colada
38. Louisiana
9.6
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
39. Georgia
9.1
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
40. Virginia
8.9
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
41. West Virginia
8.9
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
42. Maine
8.3
Favorite Cocktail: Pina Colada
43. Utah
8.3
Favorite Cocktail: Bloody Mary
44. Kentucky
8.2
Favorite Cocktail: Margarita
45. Vermont
8.1
Favorite Cocktail: Pina Colada
46. Alabama
7.6
Favorite Cocktail: Pina Colada
47. Arkansas
6.1
Favorite Cocktail: Bloody Mary
48. Mississippi
5.5
Favorite Cocktail: Martini
