Global Nighttime Cohorts
Nighttime.org reports, “Since 2001, more than 60 cities have established nighttime commissions or individual leaders who act as conveners, innovators, and strategic thinkers to ensure safety, cultural vibrancy, and economic development at night.
“Sometimes informally referred to as ‘night mayors’ or ‘night czars,’ these roles vary widely from city to city. Some cities appoint or elect nighttime managers within an office of municipal government.
“Other nighttime liaisons or commissions arise from a business-industry or downtown association context, while others emerge from grassroots or nightlife community organizing efforts.”
24HourDallas is one of these not-for-profit grassroots groups.
When it comes to advocacy for the nighttime economy in these 60+ cities, there are not as many non-profit organizations (NPOs) or non-government organizations (NGOs) as there are publicly funded enterprises.
Unaffiliated, and with no shared mission statement that binds us together, we all see value and opportunities in our cities at night.
Meet a few nighttime advocacy enterprises from around the world that have survived the coronavirus pandemic.
Nighttime NGOs/NPOs
Americas
Association of the Movement of the Historic Center of Asunción is a non-profit civil entity that brings together entertainment companies located in the city’s center.
The mission of 24HourDallas is to create a safe, vibrant, and diverse nighttime culture in Dallas for businesses, residents, and guests.
Los Angeles Nightlife Alliance (LANA) is an organizing coalition that works toward safer, more vibrant and equitable nightlife culture in the City of Los Angles.
MTL 24/24 is a non-profit organization that analyzes, animates and provides frameworks for Montréal’s nightlife. Its work aims to enhance the development of the metropolis of Montréal by introducing the night as a new frontier for innovation.
NYC Nightlife United is a non-profit advocacy and resource coalition created by and for NYC’s nightlife community to support BIPOC & LGBTQIA cultural spaces & individuals.
24HRPHL is a civic engagement project within Philadelphia’s nightlife arts and culture community. Its aim is to provide community support and articulate a vision for a better, more progressive Philly nightlife.
Alcaldía Nocturna calls itself the “first night city hall in Mexico.” The organization is a project to promote the economy and culture of the night.
Public Nightlife Offices
Americas
Brian Block serves as Entertainment Services Manager for the City of Austin Music & Entertainment Division. That office is the central liaison and resource to promote job growth, compensation, sector development, nightlife compatibility, and talent in Austin’s music sector.
The City of Detroit Office of the Mayor has designated Adrian Tonon at the city’s 24-Hour Economy Ambassador. “Detroiters should expect a diverse, equitable, safe, healthy and responsible nightlife,” he says.
The Nighttime Economy division of the City of Fort Lauderdale’s City Manager’s Office provides quality services to neighbors and businesses as the nighttime economy within the City continues to grow. Sarah Hannah-Spurlock, Nighttime Economy Manager, works to promote social order, safety, and enhanced service provisions for all those who work, play and live after 5 pm and on weekends.
Even though it is a non-profit organization, the Iowa City Downtown District is a downtown improvement district publicly funded through tax revenue. Joe Reilly is Night Mayor.
The Office of Nightlife at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment serves as a central point of contact among the nightlife industry, community, and city agencies.
Managed by Senior Executive Director Ariel Palitz, the office’s goal is to help ensure a more vibrant, viable, safe, fair, and well-managed nightlife environment in New York City.
The City of Orlando’s Community Redevelopment Agency is conducting a comprehensive assessment of downtown Orlando’s nighttime economy to determine how the city can further grow, manage, and support its diversification.
Through the City of Pittsburgh Public Safety division, the city’s Sociable City Plan is implemented by Nighttime Economy Manager Allison Harnden. She coordinates five action teams focused on: public safety, hospitality, development, transportation, and personal accountability.
NightlifeSF is a project of the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development. It supports the growth of San Francisco’s nightlife and entertainment industry by working with city and industry stakeholders. Benjamin Van Houten is the city Business Development Manager, Nightlife & Entertainment Sector.
The City of Seattle’s goals for the nightlife sector are about increasing public safety, growing the local economy and improving urban vibrancy. Out of the city’s Office of Film and Music, Scott Plusquellec serves as Nightlife Business Advocate.
The City of Toronto’s Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson serves as that city’s Night Economy Ambassador. Toronto’s three main objectives are to plan, protect, and create the social, cultural, and economic activities that take place between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. in Toronto.
The Washington, DC Mayor’s Office of Nightlife and Culture promotes a safe, economically and culturally vibrant nighttime economy and solves nighttime issues through collaboration with District government agencies.
Nighttime NGOs/NPOs
Europe and Asia
Nachtburgemeester Amsterdam is an independent organization committed to a vibrant, diverse and inclusive nightlife. Ramon de Lima is currently the acting Night Mayor.
Comissió Nocturna de Barcelona is a link between the public institutions and all the stakeholders involved in Barcelona’s nighttime culture and economy. It wants Barcelona to have a vibrant, safe, and inclusive nightlife that meet certain standards in quality, sustainability, and safety.
Free The Night is a non-profit organization that is committed to creating a safe, progressive, and culturally rich environment for nightlife in Northern.
Give Us The Night is an independent volunteer group of professionals operating within the night-time industry, campaigning for positive changes to nightlife in Ireland, with particular regard to music venues.
Japan Nighttime Economy Association goal is to make Japanese cities, culture, and tourism at night more fun and attractive from a global perspective. It wishes to utilize the diverse resources of the region to create new night value that contributes to culture and the economy.
Vienna Club Commission benefits the Viennese club culture. It offers advice, workshops, know-how, and a pool of experts, as well as networking and mediation between all players in the club culture.
Vilnius Night Alliance is a pressure group that advocates for better nightlife regulation and development. Its primary goal is to protect the cultural, social, and economic value of nightlife in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Public Nightlife Offices
Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Australia
Helsinki stakeholders wanted less bureaucracy and more courage from the city as it taps into the unused potential of Helsinki at night. Night Liaison Salla Vallius was hired to ensure that nightlife is good life for everyone.
Amy Lamé is London’s Night Czar and is tasked with ensuring that London thrives as a 24-hour city. Amy’s role involves championing London’s nightlife both in the UK and internationally. The Night Czar will also put the Mayor’s Vision for London as a 24-hour city into action.
Greater Manchester’s Night-Time Economy Adviser Sacha Lord was appointed to develop, discuss, and deliver plans that will develop the city-region’s nightlife, making it stronger, safer, better-connected, and an even more attractive destination.
The City of Mannheim operates an urban innovation and startup center it calls NEXT MANNHEIM. In that division, Dr. Matthias Rauch is in charge of Cultural Innovation and Creative Economy, as if thought of as Mannheim’s de facto night mayor.
The City of Melbourne’s Night-time Economy Advisory Committee brings together leaders from the retail, hospitality and creative industries, government representatives, and experts in city safety and urban planning.
The City of Paris Conseil de la Nuit is chaired by Deputy Mayor, Frédéric Hocquard. Far from being just a time of celebration for night owls, the Conseil believe that the night also concerns other areas: work, services, care, transport, cultural activities, safety, prevention and of course everyone’s need to rest.
Prague City Council created a Commission for the Night Mayor, or Noční Starosta, the head of which is Jan Štern. The commission’s main goal is to systematically work on long-term solutions for Prague’s nightlife, reducing negative impacts while simultaneously cultivating its potential.
The City of Sydney has a goal to provide clear direction for its after-hours economy. The interests of everyone – local business owners, residents, and visitors – are being taken into account. Public safety is of course paramount. Libby Harris is Night-Time Economy Manager.
Primary information source: Nighttime.org/map from VibeLab
