A 44-year-old man from New York, Joshua Alvarez, recently took to Instagram (@imthejam) to highlight a stark contrast between millennials and Gen Z in their response to snowy weather. He shared his own experiences of partying every night during his twenties, which would have included braving the cold, and noted that this kind of behavior is "totally foreign" to Gen Z.
Alvarez observed that when he noticed how empty the local bars were due to recent snowfall, it was strikingly different from his past experience. He explained that in his time, partying every night was a norm, and socializing after work or after a long shift at his job as a server would always lead to late nights out.
This stark contrast between millennials and Gen Z has been highlighted by the IWSR Drinks Market Analysis Limited data, which indicates a decrease in alcohol consumption worldwide due to rising costs and a preference for moderation. A 2025 Gallup poll found that just 54 percent of Americans self-reported drinking alcohol, with young adults being even less likely to consume.
The reasons behind this shift are multifaceted, including mental health awareness, clean-living lifestyles, education, and concerns around binge drinking. However, Alvarez finds the Gen Z's focus on their health inspiring, attributing it to expensive places closing down and the impact of social media.
As for himself, he hardly drinks now but admits that his younger days were unforgettable. He acknowledges both the benefits and drawbacks of each generation's lifestyle, emphasizing that there is no better or worse – just different experiences shaped by the world they live in.
The Instagram post has garnered over 2 million views and over 55,000 likes, with many comments expressing nostalgia for snowy nights out at bars and appreciating the intentional approach to health and boundaries among Gen Z.
Alvarez observed that when he noticed how empty the local bars were due to recent snowfall, it was strikingly different from his past experience. He explained that in his time, partying every night was a norm, and socializing after work or after a long shift at his job as a server would always lead to late nights out.
This stark contrast between millennials and Gen Z has been highlighted by the IWSR Drinks Market Analysis Limited data, which indicates a decrease in alcohol consumption worldwide due to rising costs and a preference for moderation. A 2025 Gallup poll found that just 54 percent of Americans self-reported drinking alcohol, with young adults being even less likely to consume.
The reasons behind this shift are multifaceted, including mental health awareness, clean-living lifestyles, education, and concerns around binge drinking. However, Alvarez finds the Gen Z's focus on their health inspiring, attributing it to expensive places closing down and the impact of social media.
As for himself, he hardly drinks now but admits that his younger days were unforgettable. He acknowledges both the benefits and drawbacks of each generation's lifestyle, emphasizing that there is no better or worse – just different experiences shaped by the world they live in.
The Instagram post has garnered over 2 million views and over 55,000 likes, with many comments expressing nostalgia for snowy nights out at bars and appreciating the intentional approach to health and boundaries among Gen Z.
but also kinda wrong? like, his whole thing about partying every night in the 90s/2000s was probs a product of its time, you know? it wasn't always cool to be out late or have a few drinks 
. and I get that Gen Z is all about self-care now, but at what cost? like, are they really missing out on the whole "wild child" vibe? 
. I'm all for being healthy and responsible, but let's not forget that there's still a time and a place for letting loose 
!
i feel gen z 
they're so focused on their mental health 
it's amazing 
the world is getting bigger and we need to take care of ourselves 
too many ppl drink 2 much & get hurt 
but at least gen z is trying 
Josh alvarez seems cool 
his story is like a time capsule 
i wish i could party like that tho 
but im all about self-care now 
. It's like he's saying sorry not sorry lol 
. I mean, who needs that kind of lifestyle anyway? All the snow and bars closing down just makes sense now. I was at a party last year and it got so loud I thought someone was gonna get hurt 
. Now I'm all about those late-night pizza runs and gaming sessions with friends 
. Plus, have you seen how expensive places are? Who can afford that lifestyle anymore? 
they're not stupid, they know excessive drinking is bad and they're making conscious choices. like mental health awareness is real now lol 
. and let's be real, social media does play a role in how we live our lives... i can see why gen z would wanna prioritize their health over some wild party nights 
and it got me thinking - have you ever noticed how everyone's a pro at Instagram but in real life, like, nobody can even do a simple backflip 
? and speaking of skills, did you know that there's this one restaurant in NYC that has a secret menu item for under $10? I'm totes craving it rn 
. It's actually kinda inspiring 
He's totally got some amazing points, like how social media is changing the way we interact with each other and experience things. Like, back in his day, bars were always hoppin', but now they're empty because people are all about moderation 
. And honestly, I'm a little jealous of how carefree and present his younger days were 
. Guess you could say I've got some work to do in the self-care department... 
what's up with this shift towards moderation? I mean, I get it, Gen Z is all about that self-care life 
. I'm all for living healthy and being responsible, but can't we still have some fun without having to justify every drink? 
, and seeing Josh's pic made me chuckle. I mean, who doesn't love a good night out with friends? It's crazy how much things have changed since our twenties. My younger sis is always on my case about moderation too, but sometimes you just gotta let loose 
. Maybe we can all learn from each other?
. At the same time, I think it's rad that Gen Z is prioritizing their well-being and boundaries 
?