Drinking in different social contexts among white, black, and Hispanic men

This paper describes alcohol use by White, Black, and Hispanic men in eight different social settings. Data were obtained from a multi-stage probability sample of the household population of White, Black, and Hispanic adults aged 18 years and over, residing in the 48 contiguous United States. The response rate was 73 percent for Whites, 76 percent for Blacks, and 72 percent for Hispanics. Results show that Whites go more frequently and drink more frequently than Blacks and Hispanics at restaurants, in clubs or organizational meetings, and in bars. Blacks go more frequently than Whites and Hispanics to public settings such as parks, streets, and parking lots; however, the mean number of drinks consumed in these public places and the proportion of men drinking five or more drinks is higher for Hispanics than for Whites and Blacks. Other places where heavier drinking is common in all three ethnic groups are bars, taverns and cocktail lounges, and parties. In all three ethnic groups, men who are younger and those who are single go more frequently than other men to bars or public places such as streets, parks, and parking lots. Men who are younger and those who are single also have a higher rate of heavy drinking and of drunkenness than other men.