Creating A NIGHT tIME FOR everyone.
ABout us.
Free The Night is a non-profit organisation that is committed to creating a safe, progressive and culturally rich environment for nightlife communities in Northern Ireland.
We refer to nightlife communities as groups of those who share a common identity, interest, or experience in nightlife activities including music, entertainment, late-night events in the same town or city. Those members of the nightlife community involve workers, creatives, performers, attendees, and also local residents. These people interact with and/or contribute to nightlife culture. At its core, nightlife is a shared experience with strong local ties.
We identify and challenge key issues within the night time economy that stops it reaching its true potential. We provide evidence-based best practices and engage with frontline services, policy makers, local authorities, local businesses and the individuals who work in these spaces
We work collaboratively with other organisations to highlight the need for a progressive night time economy in Northern Ireland and further afield. Our supporters cover multiple demographics, ages, interests and cultural backgrounds. We encourage everyone to get involved in building a better future for nightlife.
WHAT DO WE DO?
We foster a Supportive Environment for Creatives at Night: We support and advocate for an ecosystem where artists, creatives and musicians can thrive, removing barriers to their success and providing platforms for their growth.
We elevate the Creative Night Time Economy: We champion a creative night time economy that not only boosts tourism and offers career opportunities but also celebrates creative development and cultural diversity across the UK and Ireland.
We ensure Safety and Inclusivity: We prioritise the safety of everyone involved in the night time scene, including shift workers, hospitality staff, performers and patrons, creating a welcoming and secure environment for all.
We combat Creative Drain: We work to retain our homegrown talent by making Northern Ireland an attractive place for creatives to live and work, reducing the need to relocate to other countries.
We validate Nightlife as Cultural Heritage: We advocate for the recognition of nightlife as a vital component of Northern Ireland's cultural landscape, deserving of support and acknowledgement.
We advocate for Progressive Policies: We take a forward-thinking approach to entertainment and alcohol licensing to ensure our nightlife is vibrant, safe and on par with the best across the UK and Europe.
We improve Night Time Infrastructure: We support the development of late-night infrastructure which includes transport and dedicated venue space, in turn supporting those who work in and use our cities and towns after dark.
What do we want?
We want a safe environment for all members of society in our towns and cities at night.
We want better infrastructure for those who work and go out at night.
The creation of safe, inclusive, multi-purpose spaces for communities.To remove any licensing restrictions which negatively impact the growth of the night time economy.
A comprehensive review of alcohol licensing legislation
If you’d like to read more about our plans, our mandate, or the terms of reference for our organisation you can download them below.
Here’s a short list of opening times in UK cities and further afield. How can our promoters and local artists ever compete?
AMSTERDAM
24HRS
Athens
23:59—0800
Berlin
24hrs
London
23:00—08:00
Glasgow
22:00—04:00
Bratislava
23:00—08:00
Belfast
TBC
“we've had a chance to experience 24-hour nightlife which is a massive improvement on what we had growing up in Belfast.
It seems crazy to eject the entire city at the same time.”
— BICEP
FAQs
What are the current licensing laws?
All establishments, which previously served alcohol until 11am or 1am prior to 2022, will now be able to sell alcohol until 2am. Nightclubs and other entertainment venues can also serve alcohol for an extra hour (until 2am) but must still finish all entertainment by 3am and must now only operate until this time for 104 nights per year.
What are our objections to the licensing laws
Our opening times remain the most restrictive in the UK and Europe. A key opportunity to rebuild and grow the night time economy and creative industries post-pandemic has been missed.
You can read further about our objections here.
What is the night time economy?
The night time economy can be defined as any activity that occurs between the periods of 6pm to 6am, though in some cities this can be later. It is the UK’s 5th largest industry, accounting for 8% of employment.
Restaurants, bars, pubs, nightclubs, live music venues, theatres, DJs, artists, promoters, musicians, bartenders, hospitality workers, security guards, sound & visual technicians, public transport workers, taxi drivers and frontline services all use the night-time economy on a regular basis.
How can I help?
Become a supporter by signing up to our mailing list. You’ll receive regular updates about campaign progress and other ways to help. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and help us to get our message out there.
If you’d like to become a volunteer, email us at info@freethenight.org