After a long week, one man looking forward to a night out with a friend was extremely disappointed when he saw a once bustling night life scene looking ‘like a ghost town’
The weekend arrives and many of us look forward to some down time, having fun with loved ones and enjoying a tipple or a boogie on the dance floor to take the edge off, knowing you won’t have to wake up early for work in the morning. However, nightlife has completely changed and it was apparent over the weekend as one man went out and declared British night life has “well and truly lost it”.
Ross was looking forward to a night out with his friend in Reading last Friday [September 19], but was shocked and disappointed as it seemed “like a ghost town”. He said night life is “over”.
He shared a video on TikTok, showing the Friday night scene. Ross said: “Back when I was a teenager and we were 18, there would be queues… it’s Friday night in Reading… there would be queues down here. We used to queue up outside Revs all the way up to the end of the street.”
And Ross was gobsmacked to find not one person queuing to get into the establishment. He also observed there used to be plenty of promoters on the streets “trying to convince you to go into a club or bar” – and he did not see one on his recent night out.
He described the once bustling town centre as “like a ghost town”. He was baffled after seeing a nightclub’s doors shut. “It’s Friday night and it’s half 10… what!” he added. “Where is everyone?” he further questioned.
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‘There used to be queues outside of these places’
He noticed that Walkabout looks a lot different to how it used to. “The amount of times I’ve thrown up in this venue… now look at it… remnants of the past.” Walkabout in Reading is due to permanently close from October 1.
Ross also sadly observed his former favourite, Bed Bar, has also closed. Plus The Monks Retreat had a few customers but looked a lot different than Ross expected. “There used to be queues outside all of these places,” he insisted.
“Lola Lo’s is still here but it’s dead,” he observed. Plus, he went into Purple Turtle bar and was shocked to get a seat. Ross added: “Back when we were growing up, you would not be able to get a table in Purple Turtle. This whole floor would have been completely rammed and now… how are they going to stay open?”
Sadly, post-pandemic pressures, shifting habits, and rising costs have all led to a decline of the nightclub industry. Lots of us are going out less as we can’t afford it – and many say it is sad that young people cannot experience ‘going out’ culture like previous generations have.
In the last five years, almost 380 nightclubs have shut their doors, with a third of those being some of the UK’s most loved venues. Some of the most recent closures include MooMoo in Essex, which shut after seven years, and Motion in Bristol, which was known for hosting some of the world’s top DJs. In addition, Rekom UK, Britain’s biggest nightclub operator behind the Atik and Pryzm chains, went under in February last year, closing a long list of their beloved venues.
‘A night out is a luxury now’
Commenting on Ross’ video one individual said: “Nobody can afford £20 for 2 drinks.” “Used to be able to afford a whole night out for £20,” pointed out a second.
One other wrote: “I would bring out £30 with me. I would have enough for all my drinks, food at the chippy after and a cab home. Let that sink in. That was 15 years ago.”
Another agreed that night outs have become too expensive, and wrote: “A decent night out is at least £100, at the minimum. People simply can’t afford it. A night out is a luxury now.”
One other shared: “Feel for Gen Z. We were fortunate enough to go out with £20 and enjoy a night out. £3 night bus, free entry before 12 midnight and £2 vodka mixer. Students today don’t have the same disposable income as we did. Student loan if you’re lucky just covers rent now.”
Another Brit has observed similar scenes in Brighton. They said: “Just said this last night walking around Brighton! So glad I didn’t miss out of the best clubbing years! What do people do now?”
“Same problem in Brighton it’s done mate,” agreed another.
Young people ‘worried about having fun’
One parent said: “My 18-year-old son was in the gym at midnight. Kids are not interested, complete culture change.” Another noted: “There is no sense of fun anymore with the younger generation.”
Some believe that phones have had an impact on night life too. One said: “I spoke to a 20-year-old. They don’t go out as they’re afraid of getting drunk and letting their hair down as phones are everywhere and you can’t have fun without it going on social media.”
Another agreed, and said: “Young kids these days just don’t know how to have fun anymore. Too worried about what social media tells them to think.”
Do you agree? Comment below.