London nightlife to fall by 50% by 2030
According to a study by Capital on Tap, London is faring better than many cities in the UK when it comes to nightlife, averaging 2.9 pubs and bars per 10,000 people.
This represented an 11.8% fall in the past two years.
The worst-affected city was Leicester, which has just two pubs and bars and 0.7 clubs per 10,000 people – a 12.5% decline between 2022 and 2024.
Second was Hull in the north of England, with just 0.5 clubs and four pubs and bars per 10,000 people – an 11.8% decline.
The cities that had the highest number of pubs and bars per 10,000 people were Brighton (13.7), Bath (6.3) and Bristol (4.2).
The study claims Brighton is the ‘best’ UK city for a night out, with 1.4 clubs per 10,000 people – twice the number of London – and 190 pubs and bars. Brighton’s on-trade venues had an average rating of 4.4 out of five.
The study also calculated which areas had the highest demand, analysing nightlife monthly search volumes versus the change in the number of clubs. Manchester, Edinburgh and Brighton topped this list.
Using this data, Capital on Tap created a formula to forecast the state of pubs and clubs in each city by 2030. It predicts the areas worst affected by 2030 will be Leeds, which may see nightlife venues fall by 69.4%; Hull (-68.9%) and Brighton (-65%).
Despite being among the cities most affected by closures between 2022 and 2044, London did not feature in this top 10 list. The report anticipated London’s nightlife venues will decline by 49.96%.
Kamilla Fernandes-Pickett from Capital on Tap concluded: “Understanding what locals and visitors are seeking – whether it’s cosy pubs, vibrant clubs, or relaxed bars – will help tailor your business to meet their preferences.
“Stay ahead of the curve by keeping an eye on emerging social trends, such as pop-up events, alcohol-free nights, or lively dining experiences, to ensure your venue remains a popular choice.”
This month, National Insurance contributions and minimum wage increased, with one trade body calculating that UK hospitality businesses are facing an annual cost upturn of £3.4 billion (US$4.4bn).
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