73 per cent of people say Dublin's nightlife is poor, according to a survey by Dublin City Council.
Only 13 per cent of respondents named it in their top three European cities for nightlife, significantly behind Berlin, London and Amsterdam.
Cost was the main barrier to a night out in Dublin with 41% saying that it was too expensive, while infrequent transport options also emerged as an issue.
The survey, conducted pre COVID-19, asked Dubliners about their engagement in a variety of activities at different time slots between 6 pm and 6 am. It found that early evening was the only time when there was widespread activity. The majority indicated that they shop, eat out, go to cafes and exercise between 6 pm and 9 pm. After 9 pm activity narrows to the pub while after midnight, it becomes confined mainly to dance clubs. However, with the exception of music related options there appears to be little demand for other activities after midnight.
There is also support for a Night Time Manager, someone to coordinate nightlife and culture in Dublin, with 70% somewhat or strongly in favour.
Juliet Passmore, economist at Dublin City Council says: "While priorities following COVID-19 will have changed, the re-opening of the city offers an opportunity to innovate and improve on what was available in the evening or at night in Dublin. Previous engagement patterns, highlighted in the survey, suggest that there was strong demand for activities up to 9 pm."
