This new study looks at why young people aren’t going at night anymore

February 19, 2025 Alan Cross 0 Comments 1 min read

Twenty years ago when I was the program director at 102.1 The Edge, the Toronto club scene was MASSIVE. Even as an alt-rock station, we were caught up in everything. At one point, we have live-to-air broadcasts from clubs on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday (two!), and Sunday. The revenue stream was, shall we say, significant.

Today, though, the club scene is nowhere as big. At The Edge, we have ZERO live-to-air broadcasts. Young people just aren’t going out to dance like they used to. I’ve also had conversations with venues that feature live bands and they’re struggling with low attendance by young people, too.

It wasn’t that long ago that people couldn’t wait until they turned legal age to go out to clubs and bars. Now? Not so much. Why?

I have several theories. Dating apps have made meeting multiple people so much easier. Why go through the hassle of trying to hook up with someone in a noisy club? Another theory is that young people don’t drink alcohol as much as their forebears. It’s easier to stay home with a bottle/case and a few edibles. And finally, COVID. The club-going demo is very narrow. There’s a two-year slice of young people who never went through the glorious feeling of finally being able to go out. They never acquired the habit.

This issue isn’t confined to Canada. The UK is so concerned about the nation’s struggling nightlife that a study was commissioned. The Night Time Industries Association looked at the nighttime activities of 18–30-year-olds. Here are the reasons given for not going out.

68% said it was the economy. Life is too expensive to be able to afford going out.
Safety concerns (especially among women) about being out late at night.
People are choosing not to go out after 10 pm.