National poll shows fewer Americans drink alcohol than ever before. Here's how one Jenks bar is responding

A growing number of American adults are saying “no thanks” to alcohol. A new Gallup poll from July of this year shows only 54% of American adults drink alcohol and health concerns may be driving the trend. That's the lowest number since Gallup started recording in 1939. 

Related: Health Matters With TSET: Alcohol And Cancer

Who's Not Drinking?

The poll shows the biggest drops have been among women and young adults, and more than half of Americans now believe even moderate drinking is bad for your health. According to Gallup's data, even those who drink alcohol are drinking less.

The poll says although marijuana use is higher than it was 10 years ago, it’s been fairly steady over the last couple years, so it doesn’t appear to be a factor in people choosing not to drink alcohol.

How Local Bars are Responding

More bars, including some in the Tulsa area, are taking notice and expanding their menus to include mocktails, nonalcoholic beers, and other zero-proof drinks. The Mystic in Jenks has added everything from nonalcoholic beer to handcrafted mocktails, all to meet growing demand from customers who want to socialize without alcohol. 

Amy Smith is the owner of The Mystic and says they’ve seen a big shift in people wanting to go out, have fun, but not necessarily drink. So, she says they’re giving customers more choices, and the customers are responding.

"We’ve noticed a lot of our patrons either totally quitting or taking a break from it, not just dry January but throughout the year, or alternating to where maybe they’ll have a nonalcoholic cider or seltzer, and they’ll have a regular cocktail or a glass of wine," Smith said. "Over the last couple of years, we’ve really seen an upswing in non-alcoholic sales and a desire for non-alcoholic drinks,” she added.