The night-time economy in the UK continues to face an existential crisis as we move into 2026. A key social and cultural concern is the sharp increase in club closures across the country. In a report released late last year, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) highlighted a 37% loss of clubs since March 2020. These mostly closed as small businesses struggled to operate in the post-pandemic landscape, particularly due to the cost-of-living crisis and rising business costs.
Alongside the gloomy implications for venues, club closures also raise concerns about drug-related harm – especially at a time when drug-related deaths are rising year-on-year. Clubs, particularly those associated with rave culture, have a longstanding association with recreational drug use: attendees show higher-than-average usage of ‘party drugs’, where non-fatal overdoses are a constant risk. These spaces must abide by legal requirements that, on the surface, should guarantee the health and safety of those using them. But what happens to drug use when these spaces disappear?
Are parties safe spaces for drug use?
Clubs and raves are mostly normalised settings for drug use; however, whether they can be considered safe spaces for drug use is another, more complex, matter. Whilst there’s growing awareness of the importance of harm reduction to keep drug using people safe, most club spaces must operate under zero-tolerance drug policies due to strict licensing regulations and pressure from local authorities.
Despite these restrictions, clubs do integrate harm reduction into their operating policies. Chloe, an anonymous director from an independent grassroots music venue in the Northeast of England, highlighted the importance of clubs as hubs for promoting harm-reduction education.
“Our venue’s drug policy is about prioritising safety and harm reduction,” she told TalkingDrugs; they prioritise “creating a safe environment which acknowledges that drug use is a persistent reality on dancefloors.”
However, Chloe also noted that clubs are constrained by “draconian drug laws” and constant pressure from local councils to enforce them.
Despite requiring to have security presence, clubs have the potential to be “high-visibility” spaces for drug use, where help is immediately available to those that need it.
With this in mind, questions emerge about where nightlife may shift next — and what this means for harm reduction. Dr Karenza Moore, a Professor at Newcastle University who researches club culture, suggests a shift to more private parties. She highlighted the work of Jamie Hakim, who documented the changing landscape of queer clubs in London from 2008 to 2017. He noted that rising gentrification led to many venues closing down; as a result, people shifted to private parties instead. This shift correlated with a rise in the chemsex scene in private settings, with different drug using habits and risks than those previously happening in queer clubs.
If this trend extends beyond the queer scene as club closures continue, Moore said: “My main concern is individuals taking drugs in lower-visibility spaces, especially when alone.” Another consideration is whether we may see a drop in stimulant use and an uptick in depressants, similar to increased GHB consumption in the chemsex scene.
Drug use in larger and corporate events
While smaller and independently owned venues – especially those outside major cities – are most at risk of closure, larger, usually corporate-owned venues have filled in the supply gap for those still looking to party. The Warehouse Project in Manchester and the massive Drumsheds in London are prominent examples of this shift. They provide top headliner events for serious fees, as well as capacities that go well into the thousands (with Drumsheds accommodating an estimated 15,000 people alone).
Dr Jessica Williamson, a lecturer and member of the Drugs Policy and Social Change research group at Manchester Metropolitan University, has explored the interrelationship between risk, drug-use and policing practises at British commercial festivals. She highlighted the ongoing trend of falling club attendance and rising festival attendance in the past decade and the potential issues involved.
“Corporately owned festivals and events draw large populations, more diverse crowds, weaker community presence and heavy security. Corporate ownership means multiple stakeholders shaping competing ideas of what a safe, successful party should look like.”
She highlighted that this is a potential breeding ground for riskier drug use. “Security can heighten risk by entrance policing — creating an unwelcoming atmosphere that discourages attendees from seeking help and drug advice from more intimidating security staff.”
Williamson noted that festivals can be riskier for drug experimentation, as they attract larger crowds of potentially more “drug-naïve” punters as well as a broader range of substances used in a single event.
Moore also added that in the past, certain drug sellers were typically associated with specific scenes – usually smaller, local clubs – and often trusted within those communities. With a recent increase in “social media dealing”, which has been suggested to target more at-risk demographics such as students, continued club closures could push drug consumers toward more untrustworthy drug supplies as sourcing shifts online.
New spaces, new drug habits
Exactly how club closures will impact drug use trends is still unclear and relatively understudied; there are also other shifts at play. Moore highlighted that there are new drug use trends in the post-pandemic club era that needs more research. The NTIA recently reported that 61% of 18–30-year-olds are going out less frequently than a year ago, highlighting how social habits are changing. Alcohol consumption has also generally decreased with younger crowds, and other substances have grown in preference. Ketamine use, for example, has grown across the UK, and its related harms are also rising. These trends warrant close monitoring as the nightlife economy continues to shift.
From Moore’s perspective, it’s not all bad news. She pointed out a rise in potentially safer venues and drug using options: “Pop-up raves and day parties are gaining popularity, with venues diversifying their programming,” such as more community-driven spaces that host wellbeing and educational events in addition to the dancefloor.
Free parties continue to be a cost-effective and radical option for those still looking for an independent party. On the surface, free parties (typically illegal events hosted in occupied spaces) might seem primed for exacerbating drug harms due to their unregulated nature. However, Magda from Sound Sanctuary Harm Reduction, a grassroots harm-reduction group operating in free parties, confirmed that there’s a growing acceptance and presence of harm reduction in these spaces.
“Free parties bring out crowds usually well-versed in harm reduction, and they foster more of a community effort to practise safe raving,” Magda commented.
Dealing with closures
How can harm reduction evolve with ongoing club closures? Both Moore and Williamson agree there should be a push toward drug checking and other educational services outside of clubs, festival or music venues.
“Services like these will support safe recreational drug use and reduce pressure on small venues, which must balance licensing laws and harm-reduction practices,” Williamson added.
An example in practice is Bristol Drug Project’s “The Drop”, Release’s “Harm Reduction Hub” and The Loop’s drug checking site in Bristol — all harm-reduction services designed to inform and provide support regarding recreational drug use.
Going further, club director Chloe raised an important point: “Whilst clubs are open, it remains a great opportunity to spotlight drug policies and harm reduction across the scene.” for her, clubs remain an important place to deliver drug safety education and foster environments where “everyone looks out for everyone.” Achieving this is difficult in lower-visibility, private spaces.
Williamson added: “A sense of community is an important aspect of club culture: dancefloors packed with educated, experienced, intergenerational clubbers play a crucial role in creating safe environments where people look out for each other.” This sentiment is especially relevant in environments that are heavily securitised and where seeking help can be intimidating. “Community can manage risk more effectively than security.”
After the recent Autumn Budget announcement, there is limited confidence that the wave of club closures across the UK will ease. Despite more harm reduction practices being adopted, nightlife spaces are changing dramatically — calling for urgent examination of safety concerns related to drug harms by researchers, policymakers and local authorities now.
