Why are the downtown nightclubs empty?

[t76turbo]

^^^Disposable income isn’t so disposable anymore. Must haves like phones, internet rent/mortgage schooling all suck more money out of your pocket.
I recall during the early nineties in my late teens, we would gather downtown by Safeway. That’s how we kept our social circle alive. Then off to clubs or bush parties. No one had a cell phone then. If you’d show up late you’d be clueless as to where the party was at!

Things have definitely changed. Clubs remodeled a little here and there, never really became go to places tho.
Failure to keep up with the times, lack of attracting patrons, security outside after closing and *bleep*/costly cab services to get you home after is what made me stop going.
I dropped into FBacks about a year before they closed with some friends. Friday night around 11 and place was dead. We had a drink and went home. Writing was on the wall, this place won’t and didn’t survive!

[60-YEARS-in-Ktown]

I think another thing did not help.. Barwatch..
Having to show ID and getting photographed to go for a drink did not make it any more enjoyable..

[MAPearce]

*bleep*/costly cab services to get you home after is what made me stop going

I'd say that the kids have figured out the the old " Starving Student" line has run it's course and Mom and Dad are fed up with excuses ..

I used to drive a cab back in the day and I always got that line from many looking for a free ride .." I'm a starving student " ..

One of my favourite retorts to that was "Sure , you might be starving , but you sure as Hell ain't thirsty .. PAY UP , or walk "

Like my wife and kids need to give up the milk money for your Jagermiesters ....

[dirtybiker]

I think another thing did not help.. Barwatch..
Having to show ID and getting photographed to go for a drink did not make it any more enjoyable..

The last time I took friends to a club, as the DD, and encountered this, was the last time
I'll ever step foot in one.

[t76turbo]

And the older crowd, such as myself, we were always good to the cabbies. We usually got direct cell phone lines or arrange for a meeting after clubs let out. And yes we tipped well, worked out good for all. Pretty sure that wasn’t done by the young crowd

[t76turbo]

Any of you ever run into your parents at flashbacks? Happened to me a number of times. Nothing like being on the dance floor looking over your shoulder and there is your mom dancing with her friends LOL.

[t76turbo]

I think another thing did not help.. Barwatch..
Having to show ID and getting photographed to go for a drink did not make it any more enjoyable..

The last time I took friends to a club, as the DD, and encountered this, was the last time
I'll ever step foot in one.

Yup, that got introduced to stop gangs and dealers. Not sure if it worked.
Pretty sure it stopped a lot of normal folk from dropping in tho!

[alanjh595]

I think smart phones and social media has destroyed the night club scene.

Why go to a nightclub, pay for parking, or make arrangements for a safe ride, worry about your car being in the same condition that you left it in, personal security, dealing with drunk/stoned strangers, getting all dolled up, having to go outside to smoke, and then having to subjected to dope smoke, paying WAY too much for booze, and you just know that every other person there will have their face buried in their smart phone and haven't got the interest to look up at you.......etc. ??

Just like disco killed rock and roll, social media has killed being social.

[JayByrd]

Yup, that got introduced to stop gangs and dealers. Not sure if it worked.
Pretty sure it stopped a lot of normal folk from dropping in tho!

Gangs, dealers, and making sure people are banned, can't get in. Also handy if a crime occurs, to show for certain who was where at what time. I've never been deterred by using this system, but I suppose some people are. To each their own.

The niteclubs may be empty, but O'Flannigans was packed to the rafters last night...

[Poindexter]

Similar to how Facebook is now how many get together with friends, on-line dating sites are the new way meet the opposite sex replacing nightclubs. Women also want a more secure space to meet men. Besides very few men want to dance or have much success going up to women with modern pick up lines like, "if you were a Transformer, you'd be Optimus Fine."

[60-YEARS-in-Ktown]

O,Flannigans for darts was fun....
It's a pub not a nightclub , far as I know..
You wantvto see busy, should have seen Wet Tee evening , back in the STEAMERS days.
Before that it was the RA..

[one wheel]

I think it's simply the fact that ordinary people don't have the money to go out as much & they pick & choose what they will do ? Not everyone can afford it ?

[cv23]

The niteclubs may be empty, but O'Flannigans was packed to the rafters last night...

Live bands on the weekends. Usually local talent.
Last night was Rumble 100

[Poindexter]

I think it's simply the fact that ordinary people don't have the money to go out as much & they pick & choose what they will do ? Not everyone can afford it ?

Throw in a $50 cab ride and there's truth to that. Everyone loves a designated driver but not everyone wants to be loved if it includes puke in their backseat. Think the notion of drinking and driving has hit a high enough awareness that those who considered a few drinks as fine have even started to figure out that partying at home instead of the nightclub is the much better option.

[vegas1500]

dealing with drunk/stoned strangers, getting all dolled up

You got dolled up? THere’s a term the young people on here wouldn’t have a clue about.