Irish nightclub scene on 'brink of collapse', say campaigners 

Nightclubs now account for only 0.6% of the country’s 14,085 active liquor licence.

Ireland’s nightclub scene is on the “brink of collapse”, with just over 80 nightclubs remaining across the country, according to a group campaigning for positive changes to Irish nightlife.

New figures from Give Us The Night found only 83 nightclubs remain open in Ireland to date, marking an 83% decline within this century.

Nightclubs now account for only 0.6% of the country’s 14,085 active liquor licences, the advocacy group says.

Of the 83 regularly active nightclubs in Ireland, 23 of these are situated in Dublin, the highest number in any county.

This is followed by Limerick, which has eight nightclubs and Donegal, which the group says has six nightclubs. The group says Cork has five nightclubs.

Nine counties in Ireland have just one nightclub within the county, including Tipperary and Wexford. Kilkenny is the only county in Ireland without a regularly active nightclub.

Advocate Sunil Sharpe says these figures may vary due to classification differences between late bars and nightclubs.

The Give Us The Night figures focused on venues where “dancing is the key offering” and those which actively promote themselves as nightclubs.

“Some clubs don't open regularly anymore either, which we had to take into account. It's sad, but there are some incredible club spaces in Ireland that are little more than private hire event spaces now,” Mr Sharpe said.

Rising costs

These changes have crept in as a result of many difficulties, including the cost-of-living crisis, insurance costs and changing consumer trends.

As a result of this, the industry has called for a reform of licensing laws, including licensing costs, opening hours, and the recognition of nightclubs in the legislation.

Mr Sharpe said reform "may provide a bit more flexibility in terms of how and when these spaces are used".

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He said insurance costs still prove to be a “critical issue” for businesses.

“It is very difficult to cover the running costs of a nightclub and be in profit over a calendar year. Most venues manage to do it as an add-on to a more profitable daytime hospitality business," Mr Sharpe said.

“Running a sustainable, standalone late-night venue is quite unusual now,” he said.