The UK’s club scene is in freefall. Once the heart of youth culture, nightclubs are disappearing at an alarming rate. In the past year alone, 125 grassroots venues have shut down. But while small clubs struggle, mega venues like Printworks and Drumsheds are thriving, offering high-budget experiences to thousands.
So what’s killing local nightlife? And why are only the biggest clubs surviving?
“The late-night industries are dying in this country—that is a fact,” says Gary Walker, a former assistant manager at a Bournemouth nightclub. “There will just be fewer of them, but they’ll be much bigger.”
His words ring true for club owners across the country. As drink prices rise, wages increase, and audience habits shift, independent clubs are struggling to keep up.
Walker, who worked at Halo Bournemouth before its closure in 2024, says the nightclub industry has changed permanently. “People still go out, but they don’t want to stay out until 4am anymore,” he says. “Pubs and bars are getting busier, but clubs are closing.”
The nightclub industry has experienced a 32.7 per cent reduction since March 2020, with 405 venues shutting down. The Music Venue Trust (MVT) has also reported a “catastrophic loss” of grassroots venues in the past year.
It’s not just changing habits that are forcing clubs to close—it’s also the cost of staying open. Walker explains that Halo’s financial troubles started before the pandemic, but COVID accelerated its downfall.
“They spent £750,000 on a refurbishment in 2019, but when COVID hit, they had to pay rent and salaries using cash reserves,” he says. “When we finally reopened, people were spending less, but our costs had gone up.”
Walker describes the financial nightmare of running a nightclub. “By the time I left, we were paying £15,000 for gigs, expecting £35,000 in return, but only making £20,000. We were paying 50p above minimum wage, the highest rate of any club in the area. Meanwhile, I was on £23,000 for 50-hour weeks—which worked out at about £6 an hour.”
At the same time, booking artists has become unaffordable. “Craig David cost £140,000 for a one-hour set at SandFest. Chase & Status now charge £150,000. Even mid-tier DJs cost at least £500 per set. Smaller clubs just can’t afford that anymore.”
Despite the collapse of small clubs, major venues in big cities like London and Manchester are still going strong. Alvaro Estrada, an A/V technician at Ministry of Sound, says large clubs are adapting by focusing on brand identity and high-production experiences.
“Ministry is a club with one of the most recognisable names out there,” he says. “There’s a brand to uphold. It’s spotless, the lighting and sound are carefully designed, and the experience is polished. That’s what people expect from a high-end venue now.”
Estrada says that while cost-of-living pressures mean fewer people are going out every week, they still want big experiences when they do.
“Not everyone can afford to go out all the time and still pay their bills,” he says. “But what I’ve noticed is that instead of going out every weekend, people save up for bigger nights at places like Printworks or Drumsheds.”
Walker agrees, saying that people in smaller towns are choosing to travel to cities for big nights out rather than spending their money locally. “People would rather save up and spend £400 on a night in London once every two months than £70 a week at their local club.”
Both Walker and Estrada believe UK nightlife isn’t dying, but it’s evolving.
“I don’t think clubbing is over,” says Walker. “But in smaller towns, it’s going to become less common. There will be fewer clubs, but they’ll be much bigger.”
Estrada believes that small venues need to rethink their approach to survive. “You don’t need great production, or an amazing light show. Even if the sound system isn’t great, if the music is great and people are having a great time, then you’re gonna have a successful venue,” he says.
For grassroots venues, the strategy is completely different. “Focus on vibe. Focus on a good time. Do whatever you can to get everyone to have a good time there,” Estrada says.
The numbers suggest he’s right. While traditional nightclubs are closing, music festivals, warehouse raves, and large club venues are seeing record attendance. In the last year alone, Warehouse Project in Manchester and Drumsheds in London have seen ticket sales soar.
The UK club scene is at a turning point. Whether small venues can adapt, or be replaced by mega-clubs, remains a question.
Cover photo: Isabel Gallagher
