The proportion of nightclubs open beyond 3am has dropped in 12 of 15 global cities over the past 10 years, according to analysis of events on listings website Resident Advisor
The proportion of nightclubs open beyond 3am has dropped in 12 of 15 global cities over the past 10 years (stock)(Image: Universal Images Group via Getty)
Clubs are being killed off by a new Cinderella Generation of revellers who would rather be in bed by midnight.
The proportion of nightclubs open beyond 3am has dropped in 12 of 15 global cities over the past 10 years, according to analysis of events on listings website Resident Advisor. Instead of dancing all night folk prefer to slope off home early. Lutz Leichsenring, co-founder of international night-time consultancy VibeLab, said: “People can only go out for so many hours.’’
He said venue owners are shutting early to save costs as drink sales revenue drops off in the early hours. More restrictive licensing rules since Covid-19 have also had an impact worldwide.
Instead of dancing all night folk prefer to slope off home early (stock)(Image: Getty Images)
While clubbing hotspots had appointed night mayors and adopted “24-hour city” policies added oversight of the night-time economy since the pandemic had resulted in stricter policing of late-night venues, Leichsenring added.
Mike Vosters (corr), whose company Matinee Social Club organises early evening parties in New York, US, said people were still “craving community” and “want to go out”.
“That hasn’t been diminished and music is still the best way to do that.’’
But he said a shift away from a “bottle service” culture and new emphasis on healthy living had called time on late-night raves.
Between 2020 and last June (2024) 480 UK nightclubs – 37% of the total number – have shut down.
That represents an average of 10-a-month.
On New Year’s Eve iconic Berlin club Watergate closed with a 35-hour dance bash.
The Germans have even created a name for the crisis – “clubsterben” or “club death”.
Germans have created a name for the crisis – clubsterben’ or ‘club death (stock)(Image: Getty Images)
Blaming rising costs and waning Generation Z nightclub enthusiasm for Watergate’s demise, a spokesman said: “The days when Berlin was flooded with club-loving visitors are over.’’
More than 100 venues have shut in Australian party capital Melbourne in recent years with fewer of those remaining staying open all night.
One entertainment industry exec said younger folk were less inclined to go raving until 6am as they were more health conscious and careful with cash than previous generations.
Resident Advisor data revealed a rise in daytime parties with several cities showing a surge in events ending at 10pm.
In Dublin, Ireland, campaigners are fighting to change licensing laws requiring clubs to pay £340 to stay open until 2.30am.
Sunil Sharpe, a DJ and co-founder of Give Us the Night, said: “It’s prohibitively expensive to open a venue now. Or to even open your doors for an individual night.’’
The Night Time Industries Association has launched a campaign to highlight the plight of the industry in the UK and put pressure on the Government to act.
It wants targeted financial support for venues, culturally protected status for heritage clubs and a revisiting of licensing laws, business rates, VAT, and planning policies.