Max HeyraudAccording to Give Us The Night, Ireland now has only 83 nightclubs, down from 110 before the pandemic and over 500 in 2005. If this trend continues, the country could be without nightclubs in just ten years, putting Ireland’s nightlife in serious jeopardy.
If the present annual rate of decline of 20.85 nightclubs continues, we may see the end of nightclubs by 2035. While the decrease is gradual, it is apparent that these spaces are becoming few and far between in Ireland, with some counties now holding no nightclubs at all.
Give Us The Night wrote via Instagram: “From thousands of dancehalls back in the day (some of which the State even paid for) to 83 specialist night-time dance venues (nightclubs) left across the entire country. As Programme For Government details are finalised, we ask all of you to look very closely at the next announcements from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. On one hand, you have a party – Fianna Fáil – that has made the most damaging changes (1935, 2000, 2008) to licensing, while on the other hand you have Fine Gael who have made all types of promises but delivered nothing.”
Over 400 nightclubs in Ireland closed between 2005 and 2025, accounting for more than 80% of the country’s total. At this rate, the future of the Irish nightclub scene looks dismal.
The promised change of licensing legislation in 2024 has yet to materialise, and with a new administration on the way, there is still no clear plan to solve the mounting situation. Small, grassroots venues are often the first to close, and many are now hanging on by a thread, struggling to make ends meet.
Photo Credits: Wibez Photography
