Montreal will be the first Canadian city to allow 24-hour drinking. In Toronto, venues close by 2am, and in Vancouver, by 3am.
When Frank Sinatra sang about “a city that never sleeps,” he likely wasn’t thinking about the economic benefits that a bustling nightlife and 24-hour drinking can bring to a city. Yet, an increasing number of cities worldwide are focusing on enhancing their night-time economy. Around 100 cities now have a “night mayor” or “night tsar” to promote this initiative.
However, most of these cities, including London, Sydney, and Sinatra’s beloved New York, don’t permit bars and nightclubs to stay open and serve alcohol 24/7. Later this year, Montreal, Canada’s second-largest city, plans to dive into 24-hour nightlife. Following Berlin and Tokyo’s lead, venues in a new all-night district in Montreal’s city center will be allowed to stay open and serve alcohol all night. City officials expect this move to generate hundreds of millions in additional revenue, as bars and clubs currently close by 3am.
In the US, Las Vegas and New Orleans have long permitted all-night operations for bars and clubs as 24-hour drinking hub, while New York and Los Angeles have cut-off times of 4am and 2am, respectively. Across the Atlantic, pubs in London typically close at 11pm, though a few nightclubs and bars stay open all night due to flexible licensing laws.
On a warm Friday evening in July, Montreal’s bustling city center is filled with busy bars and restaurants lining the pedestrianized streets. Ericka Alneus, the city councillor behind the 24-hour plan, sees this as an economic growth opportunity and a way to enhance Montreal’s cultural scene. In 2022, Montreal’s nightlife was valued at C$2.25bn ($1.6bn; £1.3bn), with C$121m going to the government in taxes. Alneus hopes these figures will increase with the extended hours.
However, not everyone supports the change. Concerns include insufficient security and lack of 24-hour public transport. Sergio Da Silva, owner of Turbo Haus Club in Old Montreal, feels the planned changes haven’t been well considered. He points out the need for infrastructure and security to support 24-hour operations.
In contrast, Michel Lavallée, owner of L’ile Noire, believes extending hours could reduce problems. He argues that the current 3am closing time leads to chaos, which might be alleviated by spreading out closing times. Alneus agrees, suggesting that staggered closing times could improve safety in nightlife areas.
Mirik Milan, former night mayor of Amsterdam, claims that during his tenure, alcohol-related violence and nuisance reports fell significantly, proving that well-managed nightlife can benefit cities. Milan, now a nightlife consultant, asserts that embracing nightlife as a cultural asset can significantly boost the local economy, attracting tourists, creative businesses, and skilled workers.
Lutz Leichsenring, co-founder of VibeLab and part of Berlin’s Clubcommission, emphasizes that nightlife is crucial for attracting and retaining talent in a city. He also notes that rising temperatures due to climate change will make nighttime activities more vital during summer months.
Efforts to create all-night cities have had mixed results. London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s 24-hour city proposal and Sydney’s nightlife plan have faced criticism and skepticism. Jess Reia, assistant professor of data science at the University of Virginia, highlights the challenge of maintaining good policies despite changes in government.
In Montreal, the start date for 24-hour opening is yet to be determined, but Alneus aims to launch in the autumn. She envisions this initiative as a way to highlight the city’s vibrant night-time culture and drive economic growth while reinforcing Montreal’s cultural identity.
