The UK's Nightlife Report

Brighton

Our research found that the best location for a night out in the UK is Brighton, located on the south coast of England. With 20 clubs and almost 14 pubs and bars per 10,000 people, it offers a variety of options. 

Known for its LGBTQ+ friendly venues, live music scene, and eclectic mix of bars and clubs, Brighton attracts a diverse crowd, earning average ratings of 4.4 for pubs, bars, and clubs. While cities like London, with its own major tourist draw, should naturally have a bustling nightlife, Brighton stands out with its buzzing seaside location, keeping the city’s nightlife busy all year round.

Bath 

With a total of 15 clubs and just over six pubs and bars per 10,000 people, Bath’s thriving nightlife scene is bolstered by popular spots like The Bell, Komedia, and The Saracens Head. The city’s high customer satisfaction, reflected in average venue ratings of 4.3 out of five, speaks to its vibrant appeal. 

Bath’s picturesque setting, steady flow of tourists and students, and compact size create a lively, community-driven atmosphere, making it easy to hop between a diverse range of venues.

Bristol 

In third place is Bristol, a vibrant city in the South West known for its creative energy and eclectic charm. With a total of 60 clubs and 260 pubs and bars, Bristol offers one of the most extensive nightlife scenes on this list. Although its club, pub, and bar density per 10,000 people is slightly lower than some competitors, the city still shines with an impressive average nightlife rating of 4.4. 

Whether you're after underground clubs showcasing cutting-edge music or cosy pubs full of character, Bristol’s nightlife caters to every taste and style.

The UK cities losing their nightlife scene

Nightlife has long been a cornerstone of social life in the UK, but in some areas, the once-thriving scene is starting to fade. As UK nightlife faces uncertainty, which regions are experiencing the biggest loss?

Leicester

Once a thriving hub for students and weekend partiers, Leicester tops the list for the city with the biggest declining nightlife in the UK, offering just 0.7 clubs per 10,000 people and 2 pubs and bars per 10,000.

Leicester’s nightlife hotspots, such as the Cultural Quarter and Braunstone Gate, have seen a noticeable downturn in recent years. With a 12.49% decline in nightlife venues between 2022 and 2024, the city reflects a broader trend of nightlife disappearing, as even larger urban areas struggle to sustain their once-thriving late-night economies.

Hull

The North of England has been known for its bustling nightlife, but in recent years, venues have rapidly declined. Hull comes in second place, offering only 15 clubs in total, or 0.5 clubs, and only four pubs and bars, for every 10,000 people.

Once home to a more vibrant nightlife, Hull's Old Town and Waterfront areas are now struggling to keep their venues open. With an 11.75% decline between 2022 and 2024, the city’s nightlife scene is slowly fading, highlighting the challenges even smaller cities face in keeping their nightlife alive.

London

Closing the top three of the fading nightlife hotspots is London, offering 0.6 clubs and 2.9 pubs and bars per 10,000 people. The UK capital has experienced a sharp 11.78% decline in nightlife from 2022 to 2024. 

This decline highlights the ongoing challenges London faces in maintaining its once-renowned nightlife scene amidst changing trends and rising costs.

The places with the highest demand in the UK 

As nightlife fades in some UK cities, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find the perfect spot for a night out, revealing a growing appetite for a revival in certain areas. 

To explore where the demand remains high, we’ve analysed UK nightlife search trends and the percentage change in club and pub numbers over the past three years. These insights highlight the areas with the most demand for nightlife:

Manchester 

Manchester ranks first among the cities with the highest demand for nightlife. With 7.39% of venues disappearing, the city still sees strong demand, with 1,613 monthly searches per 10,000 people, making it an ideal location for an entertaining escape.

Renowned for its music scene, youthful vibe, and diverse crowd, Manchester provides a lively atmosphere for night owls, with its constantly evolving nightlife continuing to attract a vibrant demand.

Edinburgh 

Edinburgh comes in second, with 1,301 monthly searches per 10,000 people and an 8.38% decline from 2022 to 2024. Known for its rich cultural scene and a steady flow of tourists, the city offers strong potential for nightlife seekers.

Edinburgh's unique blend of locals and visitors presents a promising landscape for those looking for fun and late drinks.

Brighton

Not only is Brighton the best destination for nightlife in the UK, but it also ranks third for nightlife demand, with 1,445 monthly nightlife-related searches per 10,000 people. Despite a 9.85% decline in venues since 2022, this high level of interest suggests that supply and demand remain well-matched. While the city has experienced a dip in clubs, pubs, and bars, the city’s night-time culture remains strong, highlighting Brighton’s continued appeal as a vibrant coastal destination. 

What’s next for UK nightlife in the coming five years?

The future of UK nightlife stands at a crossroads, with the ongoing decline in venue numbers leading to an uncertain scenario in the coming years.

To better understand what lies ahead, we’ve developed a formula to forecast the state of pubs and clubs in each city by 2030. We used the number of pubs, clubs and bars in each city as of 2024 as a baseline, then applied quarterly decline rates to project the number of active venues each subsequent year. These decline rates were calculated from recent historical trends dating back from 2022 up to 2024, allowing us to forecast the number of venues across the UK by 2030 should these trends continue.