The UK's Nightlife Report

Bath

Our research found that the best location for a night out in the UK is Bath, England.

With an impressive 38 clubs and 260 pubs 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 5, 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.

Leeds 

In second place is Leeds, nestled in the heart of Yorkshire. While the city has fewer pubs (103) and clubs (30) than Bath, it stands out for its lively clubbing scene, earning a slightly higher rating of 4.4 for its venues. Leeds ranks as one of the best UK nightlife hubs, particularly for those seeking an exciting clubbing experience. From intimate pubs to large-scale clubs hosting well-known DJs and live music, Leeds offers a wide variety of options for its diverse crowd.

Brighton 

Claiming the third spot in the UK nightlife scene is Brighton, located on the south coast of England. With 21 clubs and 120 pubs 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.

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?

London

London ranks as the UK city where nightlife is vanishing the most, with just 1.5 clubs and 9.7 pubs per 10,000 people. The UK capital has experienced a sharp 17.79% decline in nightlife in the past three years. 

Ongoing challenges, such as rising costs and changing trends, have significantly impacted its current vibrancy.

Hull

The North of England has been known for its bustling nightlife, but in recent years, venues have rapidly declined, leaving even its most popular areas struggling. Hull comes in second place, offering just 5 clubs and 37.4 pubs per 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 a 20.16% decline between 2022 and 2025, the city’s nightlife scene is slowly fading, highlighting the challenges even smaller cities face in keeping their nightlife alive.

Glasgow 

Closing the top three of the fading nightlife hotspots is Glasgow, offering 3.5 clubs and 23.2 pubs per 10,000 people. Once known for its thriving nightlife, areas like the bustling Sauchiehall Street and the trendy West End are now facing a decline, with a 15.91% drop in the number of clubs and pubs. 

This decline highlights the ongoing challenges Glasgow 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 13.03% of venues disappearing, the city still sees strong demand for nightlife 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 a 14.03% decline in the last three years. 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.

London 

London rounds out the top three, with 1,630 monthly searches per 10,000 and a 17.79% decline in venues. While the capital has been labelled as one of the fading hotspots, its high demand continues to offer opportunities for fun within its iconic and ever-evolving night-time landscape.

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. Using annual predictions for each year leading up to 2030, we’ve estimated the number of venues each year, ultimately forecasting the closures and trends for nightlife across the UK by the end of the decade.