Only Five Nightclubs Remain in Cork as Sector Faces More Closures

Cork: A new report shows that nightclubs are disappearing fast. Only 83 nightclubs are left across the country, and just five are in Cork. That’s a big drop from 110 before the pandemic.

As the group Give Us The Night counted venues, two clubs closed. They worry more might follow. Dublin has the most nightclubs at 23, while all of Munster has only 22.

Back in the day, every town had a dance hall. These places were social hubs for communities. Now, with so few nightclubs, people miss chances to connect and have fun.

The decline also hits industry workers hard. Many struggle to find steady gigs or travel long distances for one-off events. Give Us The Night is urging the government to step in and help.

They want new laws to extend nightclub hours and lower operating costs. Some ideas include special nightclub permits and better transport options for late-night travelers.

The rising cost of living is another issue. Many people have less money to spend on nights out. Clubgoers are now more hesitant to buy expensive tickets or pay cover charges.

Costs are rising for everyone in hospitality. DJ fees are skyrocketing, and these expenses get passed on to customers. Tickets can hit €20 before owners even make a profit.

The group suggests club owners rethink what they offer. They should ensure it’s worth the price. Sunil from Give Us The Night is hopeful about new government measures but worries about how long they’ll take to implement.

There’s also confusion about what counts as a nightclub. Some venues, like Cyprus Avenue and The Pav, fit the bill, but others might not. Sunil explained their criteria for counting nightclubs.

They look for places with significant dancefloor space and a focus on sound and lighting. Most venues call themselves nightclubs, not late bars or cocktail spots.

They also checked if venues planned to open regularly in late 2024. Those that only opened occasionally weren’t counted.

Sunil remembers how the nightclub scene changed after the 2008 recession. He’s hopeful that with the right support, Cork can see more nightclubs in the future.

He said, “Nightclub numbers do fluctuate, and we hope Cork will see growth soon.” There are more than five club spaces in Cork, but it’s unclear if they can open regularly.

While many clubs have closed, some free-entry music bars are stepping up. With investment, these bars could become proper nightclubs. Sunil believes nightlife can grow again, even if it has shrunk for now.