[Updated May 2025]
In today’s evolving leisure landscape, customers are seeking much more than just a meal – they want an immersive, interactive and above all, fun outing that allows them to connect with friends, family and even strangers in new and exciting ways. This is where competitive socialising comes into play.
It’s an innovative fusion of entertainment, social interaction and dining, turning ordinary venues into buzzing social hubs where guests can eat, drink and engage in friendly competition. The momentum behind this emerging trend is undeniable, with the competitive socialising sector seeing a15% expansion in 2024 and forecast of 5.8% growth in 2025.*
In this blog, we’ll explore what competitive socialising entails, why it’s gaining popularity and most importantly how operators can tap into this sub-sector to create engaging, profitable and unforgettable guest experiences.

What is competitive socialising?

At its core, competitive socialising is all about merging great food and drinks with engaging, interactive activities. From mini-golf, bowling and axe-throwing to newer, tech-driven experiences like interactive darts, virtual reality games and hybrid quiz nights that blend physical and digital play – competitive socialising is continuing to evolve.
These activities create an environment where guests aren’t just passive diners – they’re participants, competitors and collaborators. It’s all about bringing people together through shared experiences in a way that goes beyond just sitting at a table. They invite people to engage in playful, often new activities they might not have tried elsewhere, making each visit feel fresh and memorable.
Competitive socialising presents a huge opportunity to diversify the traditional dining experience, drive foot traffic and boost your venue’s revenue. The longer guests stay to play, the more they’ll eat, drink and spend. Moreover, competitive socialising allows your venue to stand out from typical restaurants or bars by creating unique and memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression on your guests and encourage them to come back.

Why is competitive socialising so popular?

The rise of competitive socialising has opened the doors for hospitality venues to thrive, attracting a diverse crowd of customers. According to recent insights, 53% of UK adults are visiting these venues more frequently compared to two years ago, with 67% of Gen Zs and 64% of parents leading the charge**.
People are no longer just looking for a meal; they want a fun, shared experience, where food and drink enhance the competitive edge. The emphasis is on creating memories that combine social interaction, entertainment and, of course, high-quality food.

There are several reasons competitive socialising can benefit your business:

• Experience-driven dining: Today’s customers, especially Millennials and Gen Z, crave experiences over material goods. They’re looking for unique outings where they can make memories and engage in something more interactive than just a meal.
  
• Social media buzz: Competitive socialising venues are highly “Instagrammable.” Customers love sharing photos and videos of themselves playing games, adding to the venue’s free marketing buzz. The more unique your venue looks and feels, the more likely it will get shared, driving more footfall.
  
• Appeals to a wider audience: Unlike traditional restaurants and bars, competitive socialising venues attract a wider demographic. From Gen Z and Millennials to families and even older adults. Activities are often adaptable and accessible, making your venue welcoming to all kinds of customers widening your potential earnings.
  
• Nostalgia and novelty: Many competitive socialising activities tap into a sense of nostalgia. Games like bowling, mini-golf and arcade machines remind guests of their childhood, but with a modern, adult twist (and craft cocktails). This fusion of old-school fun with new experiences creates a unique, memorable environment.
  
• Team building and group events: These venues are popular for corporate team-building events, birthdays and celebrations because they encourage teamwork and friendly competition. Group bookings can significantly increase your revenue, especially during off-peak hours.

The role of food in competitive socialising

Food is at the heart of competitive socialising. Whether your customers are refuelling between rounds of mini-golf or winding down after a competitive shuffleboard match, your menu needs to be designed for convenience, speed and taste. Your menu should complement the activity guests are engaging in.
When people are playing games, they want food that’s quick to serve, easy to eat on the move and perfect for sharing while also catering to a wide range of dietary needs and preferences.

Don’t be afraid to get creative and theme your food and drink offering around the activities. If you’re running a mini-golf venue, for example, you could create a signature cocktail named “The Hole-in-One” or serve food in creative ways like mini-golf course-themed platters.
For a bowling experience, serve “Strike Sour” cocktails alongside bowling pin-shaped pizzas or “spare” nachos. Even at a karaoke night, you could serve “Singing Snacks” like mini pizzas, chicken bites, and potato tots or “Mic Drop Margaritas” to keep the energy high and fun.
These small touches not only enhance the atmosphere but also provide guests with a memorable, immersive experience that they’ll want to share.

Adapting your offering to align with trends

Diners are becoming more adventurous than ever, seeking out unique and innovative dining experiences that reflect the latest culinary trends. One way to meet this demand is by embracing the rising interest in global cuisines.
Our Flavours Less Travelled world food trend 2025 identified that Argentina, Greece, Turkey, Portugal, the American South and Switzerland cuisines and flavours are set to be the most popular in 2025. These offer a wealth of ideas for incorporating diverse, exciting flavours into your menu, helping you capture the interest of adventurous diners and also work brilliantly for both grab-and-go and sharing formats.
Explore how these global flavours can elevate your menu and excite your guests!

Our ‘Lets Play’ 2024 Bidfood food and drink trend perfectly complements competitive socialising by introducing fun, sensory-stimulating elements into dining.
Consumers are attracted to flavour contrasts and visually engaging presentations, so consider incorporating creative touches such as salted caramel with spicy notes or cocktails with theatrical effects like smoke or colour changes.
This trend enhances the dining experience and adds excitement to your offerings.

By aligning your offerings with these trends, you can attract a diverse customer base and enhance their dining experience. For more inspiration, check out our 2024 top food and drink trends guide and resources, and our Top food and drink trends 2025.

Efficiency is key: how to streamline your kitchen

Competitive socialising venues are fast-paced environments, and customers expect quick service. Kitchen efficiency is crucial to ensuring the dining experience complements the overall fun atmosphere without lengthy delays but its also about cost control. As energy costs continue to rise, finding smarter ways to operate can benefit both your bottom line and your brand reputation.
Preparing your ingredients in advance is a great way to ensure efficiency in your kitchen. By pre-chopping, marinating and portioning ingredients, you can significantly cut down on preparation time during peak hours, allowing your kitchen staff to operate more smoothly and manage busy periods with greater ease.
Utilising productivity-boosting products is another crucial strategy. We offer a range of meal solutions designed to enhance kitchen efficiency without sacrificing quality. From ready-made accompaniments to versatile proteins, these products can streamline your kitchen operations and speed up service, ensuring that you meet customer expectations promptly.

Streamlining your menu also plays a vital role in enhancing kitchen efficiency. Focusing on dishes that are quick to assemble and serve simplifies kitchen operations and maintains consistent quality. Additionally, it’s important to cater to diverse dietary preferences and allergens, as today’s diners are increasingly conscious of these considerations.
For support on catering for allergies, check out our dedicated allergen support page: Allergens | Bidfood UK

Even small changes like turning off idle appliances, batch cooking and limiting fridge access add up. Encourage your team to be energy-conscious and use energy-saving best practices by assigning “energy champions” and using tools like our Daily Kitchen Checklist. Our free customer e-learning platform, Caterer’s Campus, has modules to support your team with kitchen efficiencies and cost control, saving you up to £1,590 per employee annual in development costs.***
For more ideas on how to streamline your menu and improve kitchen efficiencies, visit our Unlock Your Menu support hub, which offers tailored advice, tips and cost-saving strategies to unlock your menu’s full potential and deliver real value.

Packages and discounts

Competitive socialising venues are prime spots for group gatherings – birthdays, corporate outings or just friends looking to have a good time. Offering group packages that combine food, drinks, and game time can be a huge revenue driver. Create tiered packages that include game tokens or reserved lanes/courses, plus food and beverage options.

Additionally, off-peak pricing and “happy hour” promotions can help draw crowds during quieter times. Group bookings, especially during weekdays, can fill seats and keep the energy alive even during traditionally slow hours.
Top tip: make sure you have lots of places customers’ can put their drink down while they play!

Sustainable practices in competitive socialising

Sustainability is no longer a nice to have, it’s a growing priority for today’s environmentally conscious guests and many view it as a key factor in where and how they choose to spend their time and money. For venues offering competitive socialising experiences, integrating sustainable practices isn’t just good for the planet but a smart business move that appeals to a growing audience.
Start by reassessing your packaging choices. Swap out single-use plastics for recyclable or compostable options for food served in game zones. Finger foods and sharing platters can still be presented beautifully with eco-friendly materials like bamboo boards or wooden trays.
Take a look at our catering supplies webpage for packaging options with sustainable features and innovation.
Expanding your plant-based menu is another impactful move – make these dishes easy to find by clearly flagging them on your menu.
Take a proactive approach to minimise food waste. Use portion control, store ingredients correctly and design your menu to incorporate seasonal produce and versatile ingredients that work across multiple dishes. Get creative with repurposing leftovers into new offerings or introduce a discounted “last hour” menu to reduce surplus while attracting value-driven diners.
Find all our food waste resources in one place, offering strategies and tips to help you reduce waste on Unlock your menu.

Small, visible changes like labelled recycling bins or messaging around your sustainable practices can go a long way in showing your commitment to responsible hospitality.
Competitive socialising offers foodservice operators a unique opportunity to transform their business into an experiential destination. By combining great games with an even better dining experience, you can create an environment where customers not only eat and drink but stay longer, spend more, and keep coming back.
With the right menu, efficient kitchen practices and a focus on customer experience, your venue can tap into this growing trend. For more tips, recipes, and industry insights, check out our brand new competitive socialising webpage, where we’re dedicated to helping you stay ahead of the curve.

*Future of Foodservice Report 2025 by Simon Stenning
**Mintel leisure outlook report UK 2022
***UKCES; Employer Investment in Training