Max HeyraudAccording to Ciara Power and co-founder Sunil Sharpe, the recent Give Us The Night report paints a grim picture of Ireland’s steeply declining nightlife but emphasises that urgent action can still revive a scene full of potential.
The Give Us The Night survey reveals a strong, ongoing demand for safe, inclusive late-night spaces, especially among young and diverse communities. The findings highlight urgent calls for reform to revive Ireland’s club culture and unlock its vast night-time economic potential.
As of January 2025, there are just 83 regularly active nightclubs left in the Republic of Ireland, a collapse from 522 in 2000 — that’s an 84% decline in less than 25 years.
Much of the industry still operates under the archaic 1935 Public Dance Halls Act, a law born out of a conservative, anti-youth agenda that continues to dictate how people can legally gather to dance nearly a century later. While the rise of free-entry late bars, ushered in by licensing reforms in 2000, provided new options for casual nightlife, it also hollowed out Ireland’s dancefloor-focused club culture, pushing traditional venues out of business.
The effects go far beyond music. The disappearance of nightclubs and entertainment venues has contributed to urban dereliction, drained smaller towns of cultural life, and forced younger generations to migrate to major cities or abroad for any kind of healthy night-time or cultural experience. Participation in nightlife now often comes with a higher price tag, both geographically and financially.
Despite all this, the potential value of Ireland’s night-time economy remains enormous, estimated at up to €10 billion if modelled on Northern Irish spending habits. Yet nightclubs today account for only 0.6% of the country’s 14,085 active liquor licenses. Most venues operate only 6 to 9 hours per week, usually over two nights, and face crippling costs to do so: a single club can pay over €21,000 annually in Special Exemption Orders (SEOs) just to stay open past midnight. For clubs attempting seven-night schedules, that figure soars to more than €80,000, before legal fees and insurance, which can reach €140,000 per year.
The barriers are steep, and yet public behaviour has shifted. From 2005 to 2023, liquor licensing offences dropped by 98%, while public order offences tied to nightlife fell nearly 50% since 2006, strong indicators of compliance and maturity within the licensed trade. Meanwhile, alcohol-related harm is increasingly linked to off-licence and home drinking rather than pubs or nightclubs, calling into question the focus of current public health strategies.
Consumer habits are evolving too: lower alcohol consumption, fewer students living in cities, and post-pandemic lifestyle shifts have all changed how and when people go out. Attendance on weeknights continues to drop, making nightlife an even riskier proposition for independent operators.
But interest hasn’t disappeared entirely. A 2024 Arts Council survey revealed that 57% of arts venues expressed interest in hosting late-night events, showing the appetite for late-night culture is still alive, if only the structures existed to support it. Until then, Ireland remains home to some of the strictest nightclub curfews in Europe: just 2:30am in Dublin, and as early as 2:00am in places like Kerry and Waterford. The European average? 6:30am.
Give Us The Night’s recent survey showed that two-thirds of respondents identify as active nightlife participants, with 76% aged between 18 and 34. Another strong statistic shows 49 nationalities represented, proving that club culture in Ireland is as culturally diverse as ever.
93% of respondents cited music as the most important factor, closely followed by quality sound and lighting. But beyond the technical, clubs continue to serve a deeper social function. Nine out of ten respondents believe every community should have access to a local dance venue, while the same number see clubs as safe, welcoming spaces, particularly for LGBTQ+ communities and minorities.
The system doesn’t reflect that demand. Ireland’s licensing laws remain some of the most restrictive in Europe, with even the proposed 5:00am close placing us behind most EU capitals. 71% of people don’t believe clubs can survive under current conditions. 86% support reform, and 84% say more flexible laws would create more diverse nightlife, more venues, more types of events, and more room to breathe.
Almost half of venue operators (46%) would use late trading every weekend if allowed, while 28% would reserve it for special occasions. It’s not about partying nonstop, it’s about having the option. Many respondents also saw potential for clubs to evolve into multifunctional spaces, hosting cabaret, film screenings, comedy, and art, and staying active by day as well as night.
Cost remains a major barrier. 86% of respondents say it’s simply too expensive to go out, including ticket prices, transport, and higher operating costs passed on to punters. For staff, the financial strain is just as real. In most of the country, public transport shuts down between 1:00am and 6:00am, even though clubs are open until 2:30am if they’re lucky. Many workers report spending up to €55 per shift just getting to and from work.
Despite all this, optimism remains. A full 81% of people say nightclubs still have a timeless appeal. In an era where public space is shrinking and connection feels increasingly transactional, the dancefloor still means something. People want more than a night out — they want culture, safety, expression, and community.
The system just needs to catch up.
