Bank of Ireland debit and credit card spending dropped 8% in September compared to the previous month.
The latest data shows that social spending fell significantly last month, down 16% - as consumers cut back amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Spending in pubs dropped 28%, while restaurant spend was down 22% and fast food spend fell 18%.
As children returned to school, spending on hotels dropped 26%.
The figures show that consumers also spent less in the retail sector, with spending on men's and women's clothing down 12%, and spending in supermarkets down 10%.
Spending in popular European destinations dropped in September, with spend down 24% in Greece, 22% in Portugal and 19% in France and Spain.
The figures show that total airline spend throughout the month fell by 8%.
"August is usually a month where workers shut down their laptops, children pack for an adventure and holiday season kicks into overdrive," said Jilly Clarkin, Head of Customer Journeys & SME Markets at Bank of Ireland.
"Therefore, it won't come as much of a surprise for many people to see the September spending stats indicating that consumers nationwide pulled back a little last month and saved up for what could well be a harsh winter," she added.
Ms Clarkin said the data shows that all sectors of society are cutting back.
"From teenagers who posted a 23% spending drop, to young professionals in the 26 – 35 age bracket whose spending fell by 10% in September, all the way up to the over 65s whose outlay was 4% lower than in the previous month.
"With consumers currently enduring cost of living challenges exacerbated by rising energy prices and stubborn inflation hikes, it will be interesting to see if these more restrained spending patterns continue over the coming months," she added.
