Survey uncovers public concern with licensing conditions

RTÉ News​

8 hours ago

New findings from a survey about the nightlife industry in Ireland show that 71% of respondents believe that nightclubs cannot survive under current licensing conditions.
The survey of over 3,000 people was carried out online by the 'Give us the night' community organisation which represents DJs, promoters, artists, venue owners amongst others who are advocating for the night life sector.
Called 'The rhythm of the night' the report was co-authored by co-founder of 'Give us the night' Sunil Sharpe, and researcher Ciara Power and is described as the first in depth overview of the Irish nightclub industry in over 15 years.
76% of the respondents were aged between 18 and 34 and drawn from 49 nationalities which 'Give us the night' says highlights its role as an inclusive and dynamic part of Irish social life.
Mr Sharpe said that the figure of 90% of respondents who believe every community should have access to a local nightclub or dance venue is "eye opening, but the equal number who identified nightclubs as safe and inclusive social spaces, particularly for minority and LGBTQ+ communities comes as no surprise to us who witness the unifying power of the dance floor."
He also pointed to the 84% of respondents who said that "more flexible licensing laws would increase the diversity of venues and events at night."
Formed in 2004, the organisation has found that as of January 2025 there were just 83 regularly active nightclubs in Ireland, a decrease from 522 in 2000 which represents an 84% decline.
They also found that nightclubs are increasingly becoming a part time business, with most nightclubs on average operating for just six to nine hours per week.
Another finding included 70% of respondents who believe nightclubs could thrive by offering alternative entertainment such as cabaret, cinema, comedy, or art, and by operating as multifunctional spaces during the day.
Mr Sharpe said that the report today gives a valuable insight into the realities of the industry, and offers a look into the future too.
He believes that the sector should be regarded as offering a different experience to the pub industry, and in this new report, the authors outline the rich and unique Irish dance heritage here going back a century, tracing the development of nightclubs from the early dance halls to the clubs today.
Irish nightclubs are still regulated under the Public Dance Halls Act 1935 which requires a venue to acquire a special dance licence, and the group says it limits nightclubs from developing different experiences.
Mr Sharpe points to the licensing laws, describing them as 'restrictive' and saying that the average closing time of nightclubs in EU capitals is 6.30am, "but in Ireland it's 2.30am."
He also said that the nightclubs and extended hours his group are campaigning for is "not about finding ways to serve alcohol until late, that is an outdated perception of a nightclub."
One of the aspects that the organisation highlights is the issue around nightclubs using SEO's, which are permits that allow licenced premises to extend their opening hours beyond the standard pub closing time.
The clubs are operating with "Special exemption orders SEOs as if they are offering special occasions, rather than having a structured modern business model," he added.
Under the proposed updated "Sale of alcohol bill" which has been a long time in the wings, part of it would relate to nightclubs and it would allow later closing times but progress has stalled on the implementation of it.
Mr Sharpe said "this sector and community needs support and we are calling on the Government to prioritise publishing and enacting The Licencing Bill, which is understood to have been finalised and ready to publish."
Pending this new legislation, his campaign is advocating for a 'warm up period' for proposed new opening hours in advance of the bill.
"This would help everybody involved to get ready in advance of roll out and would give greater confidence to authorities and the wider public about changes," he added.
The survey revealed that just 13% of operators, who indicated varied preferences for bar curfews under the proposed Nightclub Permit, indicated that the latest permitted time of 5am was their preferred option.
"This highlights that the much talked about 6am curfew is only going to apply to a limited number of venues, and this also shows that it remains to be seen how many of these venues will opt to remain open until 6am to provide dancing on their premises," Mr Sharpe explained.
"At this point there has been so much talk about it all, so it's now time to open the doors, and let the venues and promoters work out what is best for them, their customers and staff," he added.