(credit: coolitliverpool)
Liverpool’s night clubs are facing a period of being ’empty’ due partly to the number of people attempting Dry January, according to an event organiser.
Almost one in three Brits were planning to give up alcohol for the month according to charity Alcohol Change UK, with partakers doing it for a variety of reasons.
The latest Night Time Economy Monitor showed one in four late-night venues in the UK have shut their doors since 2020 with Liverpool seeing a 13.9% decrease up to June 2025, according to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA).
Nick Ryan, co-owner of popular Liverpool nightlife event Shindie said: “You have so much in the middle and end of December and then a drop off in January completely.
“It’s been busy every night of the week since December started and now places are empty again.”
The hospitality and events industry is facing financial challenges resulting from the cost-of-living crisis as well as rising bills and rent, meaning one bad month can often decide a venue’s future.
Nick added: “In January it always seems to be the month when you see people who own places change the format or ownership, or you often see ‘oh, we’ve decided to close this venue’.”
Liverpool saw 22 music venues close in 2024, according to the Liverpool City Region Music Board, and more have shut in 2025, most recently being The Zanzibar.
“And again, I think everyone feels a bit the same, what’s 2026 going to be like, will it be a bit of a continuation of the last few years or is everyone sort of ready to maybe get out a bit more?
“Are people wanting to get back into pubs and clubs a bit more, or maybe there’s been a bit more of a focus on not drinking.”
However, Nick believes it can be possible to use strategies such as cheap tickets and drinks deals to avoid the start of the year lull, as well as relying on their core student audience who will be excited to go out again.
He said: “In the middle of January when everyone comes back, it feels like the students are almost happy to get back and drinking again.”
Shindie have achieved a loyal fanbase, but other venues may not be as lucky, with Nick also acknowledging things might be a bit different this year, with more students taking part in Dry January.
Students at Liverpool John Moores University have spoken about why they are attempting the challenge.
Ben Brown, 21, said: “I drank too much over Christmas and November so its time to just slowly have a chill and have a reset.”
Sophie Mansfield said: “I just wanted to start the year off right and be a bit healthier and I think not drinking will definitely save me some money.”
Emily McNaught, 24, said: “I feel like I’ve drank a lot of alcohol over Christmas, and I also stupidly decided to sign up for a half marathon having not run for over two years, so I feel like a bit of a health kick is needed.”
Featured image: coolitliverpool.
