The city at night

Nightlife is a key aspect of the attractivity and quality of life of a city, which is why, over the past decade or so, many cities across Europe have named ‘Night Czars’ (or equivalent) and dedicated special efforts to offer a safe, entertaining and varied nightlife catering to different kinds of public with various social and cultural background, age, gender identity and so forth.

For a long time, the main concern of local authorities was to ensure the safety and security of nightlife while balancing the needs of the nightlife public with those of local residents.

Now, in the wake of the Covid pandemic with all its economic consequences, coupled with ever increasing rents and house prices, nightlife is dwindling in many European cities. Local authorities are striving to revitalise their nightlife with an improved offer, and safety and security are a big part of it.  


> Recommendations from the 2025 Security, Democracy and Cities manifesto

> Report from the 2024 Security, Democracy and Cities conference
– How to develop a local nightlife strategy: A guide to nightlife governance

> Positioning

In its 2025 Security, Democracy and Cities manifesto, Efus encourages local and regional authorities to put forward a global, cross-sectoral and pragmatic approach to nightlife that encompasses health, security, the management and use of public spaces, and peaceful coexistence among all relevant actors (nightlife actors, notably the hospitality sector, residents, revellers, etc.). Going further, public authorities and stakeholders could agree on a shared vision of the local nightlife through shared commitments and objectives, and formalise such vision in a Charter. 
Indeed, nightlife policies should be co-designed with the relevant stakeholders to prevent the conflicts that commonly flare up at night and to enable all types of public to appropriate the night-time according to their individual needs. Special attention must be paid to the prevention of harassment and sexual attacks in and around nightlife venues.