Nightclubs in decline: Why aren’t young people going nightclubbing? 🏙️💃 | ABC Australia

Nightclubs have been a rite of passage and weekly rituals for generations of Australia, but it appears the scene is in decline. Industry veterans say rising costs and staff-shortages are an issues, but also the changing lifestyles habits of young people. As ABC reporter Erin Parke discovers, it appears younger Australians are drinking less, going to bed earlier, and using dating apps rather than dancefloors to find love.
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[@rebecca_stone]

I'm from that "party animal" generation mentioned, clubbing was brilliant fun in the 90s and early 2000s probably because it was more communal and interactive - we'd go out and make bunches of new friends, there were fewer rules, and there were no smartphones or social media feeds to fill. Nights out were were spontaneous and light. People's behaviour in clubs is generally more closed off these days and venues and nights are self-consciously "cool", but often lack atmosphere. Plus, it's just too expensive for young people in cities like Sydney with eye-watering rising rents to pay to their boomer landlords.

[@OS1540]

Happening here in the US too. Looks like it's more of a cultural shift worldwide. Our definition of weekend or nightly fun across the board is not just all clubbing and partying anymore. For better or worse I honestly don't know

[@octorok]

​@@OS1540Better for our health, that's for sure.

[@BitKing_Ross]

Who the heck wants to spend time in a club with a bunch of people on their phones? 😢

[@Swingman30]

Exactly

[@gossipboynyc9625-VN]

@@Swingman30 Yup yup

[@Melly16yr10]

No one

[@lilsinga17]

Spending 400 just to get a table then 100-300 for a bottle just to sit on your phone all night 😂

[@treasurethetime2463]

Bingo.

[@thomasandrewmcgonigal5150]

Nightclub only function by fleecing guys out of money.However they treat guys badly,their business model regarding fleecing guys is over.

[@obzy6685]

$25 door charge $15 beers

[@JamesParadiso]

@obzy6685

[@mrxiong2567]

Drinks are so damn expensive. Who would want to go bankrupt after 1 night of dancing and drinking. Young people are also more broke these days.

[@Sir.VicsMasher]

I blame dating apps, bad music, increased BMI and people would rather look at their phone than dance.

[@itsme-ih2cx]

And social media too!

[@CopiousDoinksLLC]

Damn, that's all true. Especially the terrible music part.

[@eray9934]

It's not just nightclubs, they just don't go out in person much anymore. My kids are in high school and they just wanna stay home and be glued to their phones. I try to get them to go out with friends, but they say none of their friends would want to do anything. Of course alcohol/drug use by young people is also at the lowest point in decades, and I should be happy that they aren't going out and possibly getting pregnant or in a wreck or other trouble. But I just think it's sad they don't have the fun time I did in the 90s...

[@mrxman581]

That's also why young people today don't develop the interpersonal skills to deal with people of all types. Going out with friends to a club helps you learn about being street smart. You learn how to deal with all kinds of people in a relatively safe environment while you're having a good time.

[@Gary-vv5gt]

I feel those kids will be worse off in terms of being well rounded than them going out (sure not drunk or getting hooked up, but even that a slightly better case than them staying at home being glued to their phone and whatnot). Street smarts isn't taught by staying at home at all and seeing stuff on the internet and doing it in person is whole different ballgame and you won't learn things at home even tho you have the internet.

[@misscbrown9179]

I think because the music sux now!😂😂

[@nicolemonrue]

1995-2008 were the best club years. There was ALWAYS a scene

[@mrxman581]

So we're the 80s.

[@chongarcia977]

And even though it wasn't my time yet..I heard the 70s is what started it all...

[@themadmgtow5196]

$20 drinks + $25 entry fees endless queues pretentious stuck-up patrons a "set-men-up-to-fail" atmosphere too many women looking for free drinks, validation/attention and dodgy "business deals" (pregnancy trap to get on cento/child support) fights galore give me a quiet neighborhood bar any day

[@jo4285]

Don’t forget group of women that would dance with each other and have a competition of which one can diss the most men!

[@BlackManTravels]

Clubbing in the 90s... 1. Entrance was $5 to 10 2. Drinks started at $5. Happy hour was 2 for 1 specials 3. We were actually dancing and sweating. Dancing was fun. 4. VIP was not to be scene but to be hidden 5. Women were socialable and more attractive that today's woman with all of the fake shit. 6. We had an amazing time and people actually smile 😃

[@mizkomunikation9478]

It’s so odd how men cry about women being nicer in the past, after at least a decade of males going out of their way in every environment to be as rude, crude, and as insufferable as possible.

[@Calvinmob681]

​@mizkomunikation9478 you just made his point. Thank you.

[@amazonqueen5694]

i don't go to clubs because i am not pretty, not medusa just not pretty. just saying.

[@mrxman581]

​@@amazonqueen5694That was not as important in the 80s and 90s because it was also about being with friends dancing abd having a great time. For me it was mostly about the music, dancing, and friends. If I met someone, that was icing on the cake.

[@housepianist]

@@mizkomunikation9478 as a male, I agree 100%. Maybe women were nicer back then but they still had to endure fake males with inflated egos and an imaginary belief that women were really interested in them. Today, it’s no different. So if women are indeed “fake”, it’s a simple response to the mindset of men. Real people will find each other and fake people will find each other.

[@bizznick444joe7]

Men are no longer getting scammed by expensive drinks to give to drunk 304s. They saving their money for a better future.

[@contracthit9839]

Rude staff and tuff guy bouncers

[@marcusr3795]

Could have said better myself guys.

[@marblehillpjs]

it's happening here in america too.

[@transforgoku]

Glad to hear it pal.

[@kemangraya2382]

After covid lockdown. Everything has changed. Nightclubs is no exception. Cost of living sky rocketed and less jobs. Nightclubs become too expensive and ppl are tired playing the dating games. Who wants to pay hunderds of dollars for drink? It isn’t worth it

[@MyNameisGrex]

I disagree with the reasons stated. I’d say in AUS it’s a mix of the over commercialisation of music genres being played in venues charging an entry fee (not many big venues playing what you’d hear in the US / EUR clubs), therefore crowds who actually enjoy the dance music culture don’t go out as much and the other “normies” get bored of the same tracks on repeat. 2. We don’t have the culture europe and USA does. Nor the population. Meaning that in Europe, TALE OF US (a popular melodic techno act) will sell out an arena. Here they’d struggle to pull 1-2k people to a venue. And their fee would be too ridiculous for people to cop as the door entry price. This has led to more commercial 🧀 being played at the clubs here, deterring people from spending big bucks as the older generation 23+ don’t go out as much due to this and the lack of quality music and now it’s up to the covid 18’s (those turned 18 during covid) to spend on vip tables / drinks / tickets weekly. Finally: we don’t have big international acts like overseas do daily. Where it’s a special event. Thousands of People will flock and pay €70-200 to just enter to see big name acts (on top of drinks). That just isn’t the case here, so you’re relying on profit to be brought in by what then? Mediocre djs and expensive tables + expensive door tix ? (Let alone living costs on top of someone’s night out). That’s why festivals get sales in big part. Big name acts bring people out. We don’t have that here due to our distance and lack of budget that clubs have. Look at the big djs instagrams of them touring daily in big clubs PACKED (or those clubs roster and attendance) and you will see what I’m trying to say. Some other factors too but these are the main in just opinion as someone who’s played for many years here in aus & in Europe and speaking from experience.

[@johnnyhaiku8521]

dude. you nailed it.... I would like to see a movement where people are confronting the night clubs for being mediocre and Triple J for promoting bands that all sound the same.

[@mrxman581]

Clubs are disappearing in the USA too.

[@raygrooves2666]

Clubs are also dissapearing in the UK. The new generation have been brainwashed into staying on their phones, they don't know how to party anymore thats why there has been no new music genres in decades, they have failed, bunch of zombies 🧟‍♂️🧟‍♀️

[@Jhihmoac]

Social Networking and strictly interracting with others through devices with computers in them has killed clubbing and clubs just like online shopping killed most of the shopping malls... The few clubs that are still around often get extremely nasty because many that frequent them don't know how to properly interract with one another anymore, except through a screen... It's a different age now... I'm glad I was clubbing back in the 70s, 80s, and 90s when you had to _"Get out and Go to"_ when you wanted to meet others... I don't think I've been to an actual club in the better part of 25 years now, and I'm getting too old for that garbage anyway!

[@Gary-vv5gt]

I feel clubs has been ruined by social media and also many festivals as well. Its not because of organizers but individuals who don't know how to behave. You can get away with shit online but not IRL as you will end up dead or arrested.

[@raychabaharuddin3399]

Clubbing is my favorite pastime despite my infrequent visits, but the only purpose of my presence is to 'dance as much as I want on any dancing style' without any bureaucracy. So to 'preserve' the quality of my dancing experience, I don't drink [alcohol] or/and dating etc.

[@ultramax6442]

well now you can dance at home no need to go to nightclubs

[@gossipboynyc9625-VN]

@@ultramax6442 There's so much accessible technology at home now with soundsystems and lighting - home consumer appliances

[@mrxman581]

​@@ultramax6442Yeah, that's like watching a huge special effects movie at home alone. Not the same experience, not even close.

[@dealerslicenseops]

I went to a big nightclub in Thailand with an Int'l DJ well known. Everyone had their phones out and no one was even "enjoying" themselves. Never go to another club again

[@--Nath--]

Pokies dens replacing the DJ rooms. Also: if young people can't afford it - housing affordability is crazy. Also boomer generation has NIMBYed entire night out districts.

[@pragueexpat5106]

As a Millennial in my mid to late 30s, I guess I'm part of the "party animal" generation, but I've never been to a night club, I find the whole thing ridiculous: I have to wait in line and screened (the sheer audacity of the club owners: determining If I'm worthy to enter their club..) like an illegal migrant, and then pay just to enter and then pay exorbitant amount for drinks?, why would I do that?

[@cashlindontv7293]

Same. I neber cared for clubs, bars was more interesting.

[@transforgoku]

Excellent response, couldn't have said it better, definitely the arrogance of club owners is one of the factors that has provoked their own businesses downfall, I hope to see night clubs gone in the next 10 to 20 years. Nobody to blame but themselves and their abusive policies + greed.

[@gossipboynyc9625-VN]

@@cashlindontv7293 You used to go to hear exclusive music, or exclusive sounds - exclusive thousand dollar plus sound systems. Now it's all so accessible via tube and streaming, spotify soundcloud etc and now home sound systems plus headphones are so top notch audiophile too

[@gossipboynyc9625-VN]

@@transforgoku The exclusive soundsystems and latest technology in lighting used to be a draw too, not just the act or artist

[@mrxman581]

That's very sad. I went to clubs during the 80-90s and I had some of the best times in my life. I think the biggest nail in the coffin for clubbing is the mobile phone and social media. Not sure people in their 20s know how to flirt in person without the use of their phones or social media. I grew up in Los Angeles and we also always had the daytime get togethers too. Things like weekend brunches, beach outings, and beer busts and barbecues. We didn't have music festivals like today, but there were festivals that usually had music. There should be clubs where you are not allowed to bring in any electronic devices. Or, at least a retro club night with 80s and 90s music and no electronic devices just like it was back in those days. And even serve up drinks that were popular back then. One of my go to drinks was the Long Island Ice Tea. Those suckers would sneak up on you and before you knew it, you were drunk, but having a great time. I later learn how to nurse one drink for most of the night. It also helped with me not having a lot of money in those days too.😆

[@mikedonato2977]

In New York night clubs aren't available. Small bars getting all the tips.

[@johnbehneman1546]

SUGGESTION: HEALTHY FOOD AND DRINKS AT NIGHTCLUBS. DANCING IS EXERCISE,

[@benficaM8888]

easy, dating apps killed it. and aussie nightclubs are too strict. door people being smug

[@jstone247]

People are putting their health above mindless fun. Poorly ventilated, crowded and dark noisy venues. Plus drinking spiking, and predators have put female patrons at risk.

[@Melly16yr10]

Perfectly said

[@ursulabklyn_mia6148]

Predators have been around forever. Maybe if you put down the phone and look at the world you'll have fun and spot the Predator a mile away.

[@gregoriopreciado6719]

Gen Xrs were the last Kool crowd in my opinion. Good music good vibes all around. Women seemed more approachable easy going. After the 90s everything went to Shit!

[@cobraelectric]

I am part of that Gen Y (Millennial) era. I agree with you. I left the club scene almost a decade ago. These days if you were to go to a club you would spend an astronomical amount of money to be in a room where everyone is on the phone and not interested in dancing or socializing. Women are less interested in being approached and if you are in your late thirties like I am you are better off not trying to engage with impressionable twenty year old women.

[@ursulabklyn_mia6148]

Geez I partied 4 nights a week and still did a great job at work. Gen X here.

[@XR1000]

Gen X❤

[@sonicocr]

I see now a Lonely generation looking to their phones, no real friends ,virtual contacts and relations, video games…… lazy and lonely kids, no money and bad music. Party animales is the worst description to the clubbing generation… house music parties were chill and safe. I keep many friends from those events.

[@Melly16yr10]

Superficial and vanity are most night clubs especially applys if you don't look the way a club wants, I don't drink Alcohol, smart phone 📱, Dating Apps. Would rather a Festival like Easter Show or Christmas Sydney Festival, High cocktail cost, Bastard/ Bitchy Door Man/women.

[@tangaz5819]

Moved to a new country and city just before lockdown. Didnt even bother looking places up. Saying that, i didnt go out to any clubs when i was in Germany. Or when I was at university in England. House parties and dining out was always so much more fun. Last club i went to was probably in leicester.... and london before that.

[@johnbehneman1546]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. GREAT VIDEO AND EDUCATION. THANKS FOR SHARING.

[@StephEWaterstram]

As a Mid-Lifer I just can't do them anymore for the shadowing nostalgia for friends and familiar faces but I left it behind 14 years ago because when I was a weekend warrior even from time to time, it was raising My triglyceride levels. I went out a year ago with a Friend but someone else needed to be there too. Can't go back home.

[@jjgebarowski]

Dating apps

[@RokeJulianLockhart.s13ouq]

This is brilliant.

[@pepsiq11965]

Because New York or London or any other major world city have not come up with a new music scene. House & Techno music has been around since the late 80s. COME UP WITH SOMETHING NEW

[@alexibm2477]

The Global South still makes danceable music. Afrobeat and reggaeton are on their Golden Years. There are still major cities with very good nightclubs but they're all in the Global South: Mexico City, Sao Paolo, Rio, Bangkok, etc.

[@thedrifter1446]

@@alexibm2477no quiero regguetton que eso se escucha en todos lados muy quemado.

[@jakefranchise7463]

Waste of money, time and energy and all you meet is very superficial people there.

[@stevo728822]

It really just comes down to cost. Entrance fee and drink prices. Young people cannot afford to live near the club locations. Safe transport to and from the club has become the cost of a night out in itself.

[@albihysenaj5997]

Times changed people used go clubbing back then today no one is interested

[@JJ-rp2df]

Shame how clubs can't fleece simps with overpriced entry, alcohol amd promoter 304s

[@maureencora1]

Welcome to 21st Century, Nobody Party No More. Guys Dancing with Gals... Toga -Toga - Toga!!! Late 1970s, 80s, 90s.

[@iamapopsicle9457]

Because there was nothing else to do. Video should be a minute long.

[@DavesAdventures933]

It’s a 3 hour long record of the same thing lol

[@VoyageOne1]

Clubbing was already dying by the time I turned 18. I’ve only been to night clubs 3 times in my life, twice I had drunk meatheads try to punch on and the third time the DJ was playing hard bangers at 9PM when the club was almost empty.... it put a really bad taste in my mouth. 🤦‍♂️

[@chongarcia977]

I was gonna do a club a few years ago..I parked and walked to the door,and when i was about to walk in i changed my mind..They were charging $25 cover and there was like 10 people in there @ 10:30 pm..Aside from that the music was horrible..i wanted to hear club/house music..which is why i went..It just simply aint the same as it was in the 90s and early 2000s

[@johnbehneman1546]

I MISS THE NIGHTCLUBS. THERE WAS ONE LOCALLY IN THE HIGH SCHOOL I ATTENDED. I MISS THE NIGHT LIFE.

[@nua1234]

Night clubs discriminating against men is off putting. Charging men in but not women, for starters. Long queues to get in and for cloakroom, even if the place is half empty. Sometimes if feels night club go out of their way to make themselves unappealing.

[@XsweetstarliteX]

Increasingly unsafe and expensive. Simple. The kids would rather leave the house for concerts where there is less chance of alcohol fuelled violence, s*xual violence and delayed in transport. Young people are at bars, day parties, festivals, the local pub and concerts. Nightclubs are not worth the hassle.

[@alexibm2477]

Idk. Mexican nightclubs are on the same popularity they were in the 90s/2000s. Packed every weekend, even in my city which is far from either touristic or massive

[@MrDobberdude]

Women get their validation online now.

[@spark300c]

you pay door charge to listen to music that can listen on KZbin. EDM is not live music. Now the dj will try mix it up but is still not live music. I would rather go to restaurant with live music. which mean people play manual instruments. It does not matter electric key boards or guitars. there alot of local rock bands that never get signed that need outlet and cheap to book.

[@zack7438]

Its just a change in culture, im 24, I dont smoke, drink, do drugs or go to the club and i have a few friends in the same camp. We're all health focused, go to the gym and are pursuing financial security so we can retire in our mid thirties. Life for Gen-Zs has become so unaffordable that we have no choice but to work harder and play less

[@xDOOM95]

Retire in your mid thirties? Good luck

[@jennyhong6746]

Glad you guys are health conscious. It was always my intention (millennial) to help steer your generation away from our toxic lifestyles. Glad it worked, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Get your friends together and create a new version. That’s what we did here. Big Sober movement here with booking local and national acts in warehouses/creative spaces. Yr on a good path, though. Don’t stray!

[@elmemo12352]

Cause of cell phones and probably people inactive can't dance cause they're lazy and fat. Also, not as socialable anymore cause of the stupid phones lol

[@johndasilva2686]

To hell with the expensive night club scene . Imagine spending bucket loads of money to enter, buy drinks and look at prima donna women taking selfies. That’s a load of fart . It’s best to party at your own, a friend or family’s house. It’s more economical safer and you’ll probably know 50% of the people. Food and booze can be delivered to your house. Good luck guys . Stay away from the night club scene, it’s a load of bollocks .

[@shanehester5317]

the pandimic showed u can get together in a home.

[@moto3463]

Phones ruined it. Girls just sit on their phones in the clubs.

[@bobbysolorio1904]

Gen Z ruined it.

[@majeedtaouk3038]

Every party has an end. Sydney’s ended years ago

[@royfr8136]

People went to night clubs for 2 reasons - 1) to get attention and get sex or 2) take drugs - With social media people hook up and get attention - as for drugs... most want to go to the gym to get attention.

[@junkboxxxxxx]

I'm an elementary teacher and warn you that today's children don't want to do ANYTHING but be on their computer and phone. That's all they care about. Minecraft and videos.

[@andyhughes1776]

"'cause your friends don't dance and if they don't dance, well they're no friends of mine." - Men Without Hats

[@mgtowcowboy8159]

Feminism.

[@SVR1968]

The nightclub industry has been in steady decline, long before the pandemic. Anyway I hate nightclubs, I never went to them, I’d rather watch a live rock band in a pub or club.

[@Gary-vv5gt]

As much as i hate the decline of it, i hope the rock band will superseed clubbing in a way (minus the dickheads involved)

[@stevestevens8709]

Who would want to spend 30 dollars on 1 drink not me

[@DaDudeClub]

Pfft. Apps. Gee...

[@AdrianMcDaid]

Is it just easier ho find date online ?

[@klau88873]

A way to kill this lifestyle, by starting this video with outdated techno music to any would-be-watching gen Z that don’t understand.

[@paddybrady5874]

Sticky dance floors the memory’s thank god I’m not 18 anymore how boring the young are

[@carolinegarza8285]

This generation is SOO LAME!!! 😂😂

[@jo4285]

That’s probably what our parents used to say about our generation! lol

[@jefflarson7180]

jeezus this younger generation has gone soft

[@chudchadanstud]

*Wise

[@robinwhite-gough3331]

Take a wise decision today to buy and invest in cryptocurrency.

[@mcrdl76]

The 2 guys with ponytails at 1:41 were having soy beer

[@byronp8158]

So what? People like what they like! How does that bother you?

[@Melly16yr10]

​@@byronp8158Good point ☝️

[@my2cents198]

Woke