Murder of the Dancefloor: Why We are Turning Away From Clubbing

Jova Bostanci, LLM in Human Rights, Conflict, and Justice 09/12/2024

Since 2020, 480 night clubs have closed across the UK, with 65 closures in 2024 alone. In London, 3,011 nightlife economy businesses shut between 2020 and 2023. As more venues close, the future of nightlife remains uncertain.

Beloved London nightclub Tiger Tiger shut its doors for the last time in October 2024, with plans submitted to convert it into a 507-room hotel. Another shocking closure in 2023 was the renowned London club G-A-Y. Like many other bars and clubs, they were ultimately hit by economic challenges that undermined their success.

The Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has called this an "unprecedented crisis," but why are young people abandoning clubbing? Rising living costs, changing social habits, and the lasting impact of COVID-19 have contributed to the decline. Safety concerns for women, particularly spiking and sexual assault, have led to movements like "Girls’ Night In," demanding safer spaces. 

The cost of living crisis has exacerbated the struggles of the nightlife sector. Inflation and skyrocketing energy prices have reduced spending. Issues like rising bills and rent costs have contributed to more than 300 nightclub closures since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

According to the RSA, young people in the UK are spending almost double the national average on essentials, including rent, travel, and bills. A recent survey revealed that more than a third of young people in the UK have reduced how frequently they go on a night out due to the cost-of-living crisis.

Tom Lay, a third-year student from UAL, told The Spirit about his experience: "Rather than going out drinking, I prefer hanging out at people's places to save money."

90% of UK nightlife venues reported struggling with "unmanageable costs" in a new survey by the Night-Time Industries Association. The NTIA has called for urgent government support to help the industry, including an extension of business rates relief.

The boss of nightclub Pryzm has also blamed the lack of students for closures, citing a trend of young people "going out later and spending less." Young people are drinking less alcohol, and the forced quarantine caused by COVID-19 has led many to get used to staying at home more.

With the Labour government pushing for student loans to go even higher, it may become impossible for young people to go on a night out. Many young people, accustomed to staying in during quarantine, now find home a comfortable and low-cost option. With the rise of technology, streaming services, and social media, staying in has become an attractive alternative to going out. The 2024 Youth Voice Census highlighted that 60% of UK youth report experiencing daily feelings of anxiety, reflecting a broader shift in social habits.

The ongoing issue of spiking and broader sexual abuse has also been touted as a major contributing factor. While nightclubs are not the only sites of this kind of abuse, women often feel incredibly unsafe, especially in clubs’ dark, anonymous environments. In recent weeks, Heaven in Charing Cross was temporarily shut down after police arrested a member of its security staff following rape allegations. 

In 2021, the student-led movement ‘Girls Night In’ protested venue conditions, calling for the boycott of bars and clubs. It is clear why many women may be turning away from nightclubs, and further measures are required to ensure their safety in these environments.

Sarah Arsalan, President of the DJ Society at SOAS, commented on the shifting nightlife scene, noting that clubs like Ministry of Sound “just aren’t hitting anymore.” She added, “The music isn’t great anymore, and entry tickets range from £10 to £20—and can sometimes go as high as £30.” 

Arsalan highlighted how the high costs of late-night events make it difficult for student-led societies to host affordable events, asserting that SOAS’s late licence fees are costly. She also recommended smaller, independent venues like The Haggerston pub, known for its live music and lower prices, as a budget-friendly alternative offering for people looking for a more personal night out.