BYE-BYE BOOZEY BASHES: A fifth of Brits love nothing more than a “boring” birthday

16 June 2025, London, UK – According to new research, one in five (20%) Brits believe they’re “boring now” and are settling in to more low-key birthday celebrations. 

Further findings from First Bus, the UK’s largest bus operator, reveal that the nation is bidding farewell to big boozy birthday bashes, as getting drunk is a priority for only 7% of Brits. 

TONED-DOWN IS IN 

Simply going out for a nice meal is the nation’s favourite way to ring in another trip around the sun, as rated by nearly half (45%) of Brits, followed by spending time with family (22%). Shockingly, the third favourite celebration is having a quiet night in (18%), and despite assumptions of being “young, wild and free”, the survey finds Gen Z and Millennials are most likely to keep their birthdays “in house” – at 20% and 21%, respectively, the highest of all age groups.  

According to the research, over a third (36%) of Brits agree that their attitude has shifted away from big parties towards quieter celebrations like small gatherings with close friends and family. In fact, intimate gatherings were rated as the top choice across the board – from Gen Z to Baby Boomers. Following that, nearly a fifth (19%) prefer a more chilled birthday celebration like getting a takeaway and watching a film.   

THIRTY AND THRIVING 

The research comes as First Bus celebrates a milestone birthday this year – the big three-zero. The findings also reveal this as the age at which over one in 10 (14%) Millennials started lying about their age. 

But First Bus is not shying away from going big to celebrate three decades of service with its passengers.  

In fact, the company is giving out free single tickets to lucky passengers also turning 30 this month – so whatever your plans are for the milestone birthday, you can count on a free bus journey to start the party with a saving and connect you to thousands of activities in your local community. 

To be in with a chance of claiming a free ticket, customers need to visit https://www.firstbus.co.uk/first-bus-birthday and submit a short entry. Limited-edition birthday tickets will appear in the First Bus app for those lucky enough to get a free ride. 

Martin Hirst, Director of Revenue and Customer Proposition for First Bus said: “We are incredibly excited to be celebrating 30 years of service, and what better way to do it than taking inspiration from the people we take on over 1.5 million journeys per day, and that we’ve been serving over the past three decades.  

“Whether you’re going out to dinner with your family and friends, or grabbing a takeaway for a movie night, there’s no wrong way to toast your 30th birthday. And if it’s this month, what better way to get there than with a free bus journey!” 

For more information, please visit https://www.firstbus.co.uk/first-bus-birthday 

ENDS