Next City Op Ed Response

A recent op-ed in Next City argued that U.S. nighttime economy offices must evolve to prioritize preventing violence in nightlife environments rather than adopting a more expansive role focused on economic development, planning, small-business support, and advocacy for nightlife culture.

Our fundamental concern and disagreement with this op-ed is that the authors reduce the nighttime economy to primarily nightlife and entertainment districts with a high concentration of bars and clubs (presumably with a focus on bar-hopping and high-volume alcohol sales). Then, based on this reductive idea of the nighttime economy, they conclude that the primary purpose of the Nighttime Economy Manager role must then be to address the “issues of violence and alcohol-related harm occurring in nightlife and entertainment districts.” 

To arrive at this conclusion, the authors compare and contrast the European and U.S. models for this role. They argue that because the police aren’t sufficiently focused on alcohol-related offenses in the U.S., and because there is more violent crime in nightlife districts in the U.S., Nighttime Economy Managers should be primarily focused on public safety, violence, and alcohol-related harm in nightlife districts. 

They claim that the European model’s focus on mediation, cultural advocacy, and advocacy for nightlife-sector jobs and economic growth doesn’t translate to the U.S. Further still, if the role focuses on things like economic development, planning, small business support, and advocating for nightlife culture, it is reduced to a “symbolic figurehead” position and lacks legitimacy.

We fundamentally disagree with that framing, premise, and conclusion.

While the nighttime economy certainly takes place in nightlife and entertainment districts, and districts with a high concentration of bars and clubs exist in many, if not most cities, this is only a small portion of what comprises the nighttime economy in cities. 

Independent music venues, neighborhood bars, theaters, LGBTQIA+ spaces, comedy clubs, third spaces, cocktail bars, art galleries, dive bars, and other creative and innovative spaces are located throughout a city, and it is in these spaces where a city’s unique nightlife culture is created and fostered. 

In addition, the nighttime economy encompasses more than just nightlife; it includes the broader "Life at Night" ecosystem. This ecosystem involves sectors such as health care, the service industry, third-shift workers, and other industries that operate during nighttime and overnight hours. We believe that a key role of the Nighttime Economy Manager is to support businesses, strengthen communities, promote nightlife culture, and improve the city government's effectiveness during nighttime hours.

Nighttime Economy Management is an emerging field; there is no single definition of a Nighttime Economy Manager, and each city must tailor the role to its unique needs and culture. That said, NITECAP has established a broad definition:

A Nighttime Economy Manager:

• Works within a local government agency or business improvement district

• Advances policies and/or programs that improve the delivery of city services to support a vibrant nighttime economy

• Advocates for a vibrant nighttime economy within local government

• Serves as a liaison between nighttime stakeholders and government agencies
  

While for most Nighttime Economy Managers public safety and violence prevention in nightlife settings is a focus area, this emphasis is not a strict requirement of the role. 

Public safety is undeniably important, and so is the enforcement of city regulations. However, reducing the role of nighttime economy offices to merely addressing alcohol-related violence misrepresents their broader purpose. The most effective nighttime economy offices do not replace public safety agencies; instead, they act as collaborative partners.

The value and legitimacy of Nighttime Economy Managers should not be measured solely by their effectiveness in preventing alcohol-related offenses and violence in nightlife districts. Instead, their value should be measured by how effectively they address a wide range of issues, support local businesses, strengthen communities, promote nightlife culture, and improve the overall functioning of city government during evening hours.

-NITECAP Alliance