Image by Gabriel Doti from Pixabay
By Mhia Vignoulle
London’s nightlife is changing fast. As many clubs struggle with closures, licensing pressure, redevelopment and rising costs, young people aren’t simply “going out less”, they’re going out differently.
But with clubs fast disappearing, where will people go out at night?
This is the story about the mutation of London’s nightlife, rather than its death.
On Oxford Street, explaining why clubs aren’t fun anymore. Video by Mhia Vignoulle
Creating new spaces
London’s nightlife is moving, changing, transforming into something that would have been unheard of just a decade ago. Young people are increasingly turning to alternative spaces. Creative events are what are most interesting for them today. They are very much on the rise, with lots of free events offered all around major cities.
Various apps and sites offer guidelines advertising upcoming events such as Buzz, Eventbrite, Major Players, Creative UK, Dazed Club and many more.
“I find creative events to be way better than clubs ever were. They allow a better environment for socialising and networking,” said party girl Leah Clark, 21, a fashion designer and Londoner.
“Don’t get me wrong: nightclubs are great to party but nothing more happens from it whereas for a creative event everyone share passions and ideas as well as partying, which overall creates more interaction and more excitements.”
Spinning disks at a London event. Video by Mhia Vignoulle
Getting creative
Clubs have become a way for people to come together and represent launching pads for music, subcultures and creative scenes. Their closure means losing important cultural infrastructure. This change predicts the future of youth culture in our city, and youths are the ones keeping London’s nightlife alive and awake.
According to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), Britain has lost 26.4% of its late-night venues since March 2020, and London is one of the hardest-hit cities. A report by Capital on Tap warns that 57% of London’s pubs and clubs could close by 2030, predicting a drop from 8,457 venues to just 3,617. Meanwhile, between June 2020 and June 2024, 480 UK nightclubs closed – more than three per week.
Creative events often incorporate music, drinks, live performances and visuals, clothing, as well as props pertaining to the specific creative subject. They are a great way to meet like-minded people and get inspired about projects. They are much more affordable than a £100 concert – and they show no sign of disappearing.
Clubbing in London. By Mhia Vignoulle
Many young people are bored of regular nights out, and are hungry for human interactions. With society’s increase in loneliness and increased screen life, people want to go to designated areas that push them to socialise.
The younger generation is also eager to grow their business, make a name for themselves and create their passions.
Creative events are the exact right spaces for this new generation, for this new change in London’s nightlife. And the best bit? “You form stronger connections with new people as you are there sharing an interest in a similar event so you have already something in common,” said Clark.
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