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Rescuing our nightlife – from Germany to Canada

Laura Puttkamer

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The cities that never sleep are famous for their nightlife and for their transit systems operating round the clock. Now, more and more cities want to stay open for 24 hours. Montreal even plans opening a dedicated 24-hour zone to boost its nightlife economy.

New York City is the epitome of the city that never sleeps, although the mandated “last call” happens at 4 am. In cities like Berlin or Tokyo, alcohol can be served 24 hours a day. The list of true 24-hour cities is relatively short, with Mexico City and Cairo topping the list. Now, the Canadian city of Montreal aspires to make it on the list. Currently, bars and clubs in Montreal close at 3 am. But new plans for a 24-hour zone in a downtown neighbourhood are part of the city’s efforts to invest more in its nightlife.

The rationale for rescuing our nightlife is mostly driven by bars and clubs. But on top of alcohol consumption and parties around the clock, there are economic factors that make urban nightlife attractive. In London, nighttime economic activities contribute over 30 billion euro and over a million jobs every year. 24-hour policies show that a city and its economic activities never stop, creating tourism opportunities and spaces for everyone in the city, regardless of their schedule.

Supporting creative space around the clock

In 2013, Amsterdam began issuing 24-hour operating licences. Since then, the idea has been slowly picking up steam across the world. Around 100 cities have a “night mayor” now, for example London and Zurich. In Berlin, the phenomenon known as “techno tourism” attracts over 3 million visitors every year, and in New York City, nightlife generates billions of income for the city every year.

Nightlife is often defined as a city’s food, drink, and entertainment offerings between 6pm and 6am. Supporters of 24-hour policies want to support nighttime economic contributions by giving them the same attention that daytime contributions have gotten. In Amsterdam, the new 24-hour licences included multifunctional spaces outside the city centre. For example, a large tower block with offices, cafés, restaurants, and an underground club in the mixed-use Overhoeks neighbourhood is now open around the clock. This is to ensure that nightlife happens not only in city centre, but also in other places in order to improve the quality of life of residents.

To create cultural vibrancy in a city, creative space is necessary. Beyond alcohol consumption, nightlife includes affordable and accessible spaces, good public transportation, and connections to places outside the city centre. In Berlin, public transportation runs all day and all night long, for example.

Nighttime mayors and 24-hour public transport are some strategies for increasing safety in cities at night. Credit: Levon Vardanyan via Unsplash

Soundproofing opportunities in Montreal

Supporting nightlife industries also has other positive effects. For example, in Sydney and New South Wales, residents are reportedly feeling safer on public transport and in their neighbourhood after a 24-hour policy was introduced. This followed the “party-pooper” lock-out regulations in the last decade, where many rules around when and what kind of alcohol was available to the public. Now, citizens have reclaimed Sydney’s nightlife around the clock. With initiatives such as “Take Kare” ambassadors and programmes to improve safety after night, the city actively supports a 24-hour culture.

Vibrancy leads to safety in cities. Of course, there are challenges when extending nightlife hours, such as rowdy tourists and more waste in the streets, but so far, the benefits of 24-hour cities seem to outweigh the challenges. Importantly, cities need to listen to their residents and potential complaints and concerns. In 2018, Berlin’s government promised to soundproof clubs after noise disputes with residents.

To truly support culture in the city, Montreal has announced a grant programme for alternative performance venues that have less than 400 seats. This funding will include soundproofing opportunities, but it will also offer general support to staying open for 24 hours.

Culturally vibrant and inclusive cities offer experiences and services around the clock. Credit: Frida Aguilar Estrada via Unsplash

Using the cooler nighttime hours in hot cities

Night economy initiatives also need to take services and amenities in the city into account. For example, people working at night pay the same amount of taxes as everyone else, but they usually have less access to services during their working hours. They can’t easily buy food or go to the library. In Montreal, advocates of the group MTL 24/24 want to make sure that services are also extended to 24 hours. This would make the city fairer and more inclusive, they say.

The 24-Hour Cities Network also supports these initiatives. Chaired by Bogotá and New York City, this multistakeholder community of cities, academics, experts, activists, and private sector partners wants to create safe, inclusive, and enjoyable nightlife for cities. Thematic workshops help member cities to explore challenges and innovative solutions. Adapting labour laws and working with residents are usually some of the main challenges.

With the night-time economy worth billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of jobs, rescuing our nightlife in cities seems to be worth it. By focusing on providing reliable services and improving safety, cities can take full advantage of the second half of the day. And the experience of hot cities shows that shifting some activities to the cooler nighttime hours can be part of cities’ adaptation strategies.

Read more about Amsterdam’s night mayor here.

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