Nearly three quarters of UK pub and bar operators say they can't afford the ever-climbing energy bills and many expect to close down this winter.
And hard-up landlords are calling on the government to act now by capping energy costs, reducing VAT and freezing business rates.
In a survey by The Morning Advertiser, 65% of landlords said their utility costs had risen by over 100%, 30% said by 200% and 8% reported increases of more than 500%.
Unsurprisingly 80% of operators said they were unable to pay the increases.
Ed Bedington of The Morning Advertiser said action is necessary now and not when the new Prime Minister assumes office next month.
"This situation is untenable and we’re likely to see the closure of huge swathes of pubs and bars across the UK unless something is done to tackle these spiralling costs," he said.
"This crisis is being described as an “extinction event” for hospitality and that’s no exaggeration."
The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) earlier said the majority of its members are experiencing a minimum 300% increase in energy costs.