Mexico’s bars contribute $2.7B yearly to economy, study shows

Mexico City — More than 30,000 bars across Mexico contribute $2.7 billion a year to the national economy and generate an additional $500 million in tax revenue for federal, state, and local governments, according to a new study.

The report, “The Impact of Bars on Local Economies, Community & Connection,” was prepared by Oxford Economics in collaboration with AB InBev, the parent company of Grupo Modelo. It also identified a third economic effect: an induced impact of $600 million from spending by bar workers.

The sector sustains more than 163,000 jobs, the study found. An estimated 16.1 million Mexicans visit a bar at least once a month, and 26 percent of them go weekly, underscoring the role bars play in social life.

Oxford Economics also quantified the “social value” of bars in Mexico at $883.5 million a year — benefits to communities that are not captured by traditional financial metrics. That placed Mexico second among the countries studied, which also included Brazil, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The U.S. led with $2.7 billion in social value, followed by the U.K. ($826.9 million), Brazil ($367.5 million), and South Korea ($189.2 million).

The study also asked bar-goers about their motivations. Eighty percent said they feel more relaxed after visiting a bar, and 75 percent said they experience a better mood. Watching sports was a main reason for visiting for 24 percent of Mexican respondents — the highest share among all countries surveyed.

“Bars are not just businesses; they are important social institutions that drive human connection and economic activity within communities,” said Innes McFee, CEO of Oxford Economics.