Almost 50% of Brits go over budget on a night out, new report finds

Almost half of Brits say they go over budget on a night out, according to a new report.

A survey conducted by credit card company Aqua found that 48% of people living in England, Scotland and Wales claim they overspent on a night out in 2025, at an average of £256.

The report also found that nightlife was one of the things Brits admit to spending most on, with those aged between 25 and 34 going most over budget (76%) at an average of £310.

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The survey was conducted by 5,000 adults across Britain, finding that those living in London went most over budget on nights out in 2025, with 55% of people feeling like they overspent.

Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds, Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Cardiff were also amongst the top 10 cities where respondents spent beyond their means.

The study also found that 10% of Brits admit to not setting a budget for their nights out, while 38% said their biggest financial mistake is overspending on things like drinks, entry fees, transport, outfits, and more.

Read this next: What impact could the UK Budget 2025 have on nightlife?

The UK government's 2025 Budget was unveiled last month, detailing plans to implement a “ride-sharing” tax. A 20% VAT will be added on journeys booked through apps such as Uber and Bolt, meaning it could become more expensive to book rides in London and other areas next year.

Calling the budget a “hammer blow”, NTIA CEO Michael Kill said: "With inflation now higher than it's been for some months and the cost of living becoming increasingly unsustainable, disposable income has all but disappeared, swallowed up by rising everyday costs."

Read the full report from Aqua here.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Associate Digital Editor, follow her on Twitter