The research examines affordability, representation, safety, and cultural infrastructure through 30 indicators.
Photo credit: Amsterdam Dance Event / VibeLab – Official
Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) and VibeLab have launched the Nighttime Culture Index, a research initiative measuring nightlife and cultural activity in Amsterdam, Lagos, New York, São Paulo, Seoul, and Sydney.
Introduced during the 30th anniversary edition of ADE, the project provides a comparative dashboard and summary report examining the conditions that support or restrict nighttime culture.
Led by VibeLab and local research coordinators, the study covers six dimensions: Creative Ecology, Space & Infrastructure, Diversity & Representation, Community & Belonging, Policy & Civic Health, and Sustainability & Environment.
Researchers analyzed more than 12,000 event lineups, assessed over 3,000 venues, and examined nearly 30,000 non-musical cultural events. The research also included a public survey with more than 700 participants, 67 focus group participants, and 14 nighttime culture experts.
One of the findings concerns the affordability of nightlife. Measured against local minimum wages, entry to a typical club night costs approximately one hour of work in Sydney, 1.3 hours in Amsterdam, 1.7 hours in Seoul, and 1.8 hours in New York. The equivalent rises to nine hours in São Paulo and approximately 25 hours in Lagos, excluding drinks and transportation.
The study also identified persistent inequalities in representation. Women and gender-diverse artists account for between 27% and 32% of event lineups across the six cities, while experts in five cities rated diversity in venue ownership and leadership as poor.
Safety presents another challenge. In São Paulo, 73% of surveyed respondents reported feeling safe inside venues, compared with 11% in surrounding streets. In Lagos, the corresponding figures were 74% and 20%.
“You can’t have a nighttime industry without a nighttime culture, and that culture depends on people being able to take part. When a club night costs a day’s wages or more in some cities, that is a question for all of us, including the industry.” said Jan-Willem van de Ven, Managing Director of Amsterdam Dance Event.
The report further examines how local governments approach nightlife, noting that several cities increasingly recognize nighttime activity through dedicated offices while continuing to prioritize its economic contribution over its cultural role.
The Nighttime Culture Index establishes a research baseline intended to help policymakers, cultural organizations, artists, and venue operators evaluate conditions and track changes over time.
Explore the Nighttime Culture Index dashboard and summary report here.
