Just 5% of respondents placed Dublin in their top three European cities for nightlife, according to the Your Dublin Your Voice Survey undertaken by Dublin City Council and Delve Research. This is down from 13% in February 2020.
When asked whether respondents travel abroad to partake in leisure activities every few months, 45% said that they do, with Berlin, London, and Amsterdam the most popular nightlife destinations.
Among those with a basis for comparison, four fifths (78%) of Dubliners believe that the Irish capital’s nightlife is poorer than that of other European cities.
Improved safety, a broader range of transport options, and more free or low-cost activities are high on the priority for those engaging in Dublin’s night-time economy, the study found.
Close to two thirds (63%) of respondents cited ‘better safety at night’ as among their top priorities for the night-time experience in Dublin, with 55% citing ‘improved night-time transport’ and 28% citing ‘more free/low cost activities’.
Overall, 92% of respondents to the survey agreed that the evening-time economy, i.e. between 6pm and 12 midnight, is important to the Irish capital’s economy, while 79% agreed that the 12 midnight to 6am period is important.
Barriers to going out
Despite this positive view, the survey noted a number of barriers that prevent people from going out in Dublin more often. Half (50%) of the respondents cited cost as the biggest obstacle, followed by 42% who said they didn’t feel safe at night, and 28% who found it difficult to get home.
Respondents were also asked for their thoughts on the availability of facilities between midnight and 3am, and also between 3am and 6am.
Between midnight and 3am, respondents felt there was a need for more performance spaces (54%), music venues (61%), cafés (61%), and cultural venues (60%). From 3am to 6am, meanwhile, dance venues (46%), cafés (42%), and music venues (44%) were among the facilities cited.
‘When prompted for suggestions as to what, if anything, could be added to the pillars of the night-time economy strategy, common suggestions related to commerce and economy (including more options / better value for money), accessibility and inclusion, and cleanliness / maintenance / sustainability,’ the study noted.
Overall life satisfaction among respondents averaged 6.7 out of 10, a slight decline from the 6.8 recorded in December 2024.
Improving the night-time experience
“Results from the latest and invaluable Your Dublin Your Voice survey reveal what really matters to Dubliners after dark — with Safety, Transport, and Low-Cost Cultural Activities topping the list of priorities for an improved night-time experience,” Ray O’Donoghue, Night-Time Economy Advisor, Dublin City, said in a post on LinkedIn.
“These findings have already been reflected in the Night-Time Economy Strategy from Dublin City Council — a significant milestone in reimagining the city’s vibrant after-hours offering. This survey has only amplified the strategy, reinforcing the direction of Dublin’s night-time transformation.”
Some 1,025 respondents took part in the survey, which was carried out between 28 February and 2 March. The full study can be found here.
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