In light of the recent launch of Give Us The Night’s report, The Rhythm of the Night, GCN reached out to queer people involved in nightlife in Ireland to ask their thoughts on the current state of LGBTQ+ nightlife nationally.

One of the main factors making Berghain, Berlin’s iconic nightclub, so famously hard to get into is taxes. That’s right, the coolest thing in the world meets the least cool thing in the world. Part of the seeming exclusivity is, of course, down to the conservation of the vibe.

Another reason is that if Berghain were a tourist attraction, it would fall into a different tax bracket. Berghain pays a lower tax, which venues like opera houses benefit from due to their cultural significance. Berliners fought hard for electronic music to formally receive the cultural recognition it deserves.

If they started letting anyone into the club willy-nilly, it would begin to feel more like big Tesco than big Techno, they would have to pay more taxes, and the business would likely go under. 

The intention might be less about exclusivity and more about inclusivity for people who actually enjoy and respect techno culture. People need a place to enjoy the things they enjoy with other people who enjoy those things. People need to belong.

This mirrors what Mafi of Dykon tells us: “People want connection and a sense of community, not just somewhere to drink and dance […] Queer nightlife has always been about belonging, celebration and visibility.”

Ireland doesn’t have a Berghain. That’s not to say we don’t have the talent, the DJs, the organisers or the fans. “Ireland has so much potential, with some of the most talented artists at our fingertips”, says Michal of Rathaus.

We don’t have the space. We can’t afford it. Michal states, “With real government support and licensing reform, Dublin could easily stand alongside Europe’s most exciting nightlife capitals.”

“Nightlife has always been such an important outlet for me and so many others, especially within the queer community. It’s a place to let go, connect and be yourself in ways that might not feel possible during the day,” Jwy of Foxgluv tells GCN.

“With rising costs, strict licensing rules and high insurance prices, it’s getting harder for venues to stay open.”

Before we can explore what kind of nightlife entertainment the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland wants or needs, we must address the larger issues.

It’s about space and money. “I think the community needs access to space more than anything. Without having adequate, accessible, affordable spaces for us to come together, it’s difficult to understand what a community is,” says Robbie Kitt.

It is a selfless, often not-for-profit venture to create a space for queer people to have a good time. Meanwhile, club-goers struggle to find the headspace or the euros to go out-out.

People can’t afford to live in communities. They can’t simply choose to live near friends or the places they frequent. They are trying to keep their head above water in a world that is making it increasingly difficult. 

Give Us The Night’s recent report provides some harrowing statistics. Some reveal that keeping bars open later and staggering closing times would reduce criminal and anti-social behaviour on the streets at night, while providing crowd control for late-night restaurants and transport.

While measures like this would be invaluable, they are merely a starting point. The underlying issues causing anti-social behaviour and discontent require addressing.

The government keeps increasing taxes on substances like alcohol and nicotine, which is not the answer to dissuading consumption. People will still buy them, taking the financial hit, or find cheaper, often illegal and unregulated alternatives.

“People can’t afford to pay a tenner at the door, buy a drink, and get home safe… so they stay in or turn to cheaper, riskier alternatives. And then we act shocked when drug culture spikes,” says Lavender, the drag queen.

“This isn’t about ‘bad behaviour,’ it’s about a government that’s squeezed us dry and left us nothing but escapism as a coping mechanism.”

“For things to grow, we need more places where people can come together, in physical space, and share their emotions and their identity. As simple as this sounds, unfortunately, the lack of access to that basic social infrastructure is directly linked to the wider housing crisis in the country, so solutions will likely have to be found outside the box,” says Robbie Kitt.

Speaking about queer nightclubs, Michal of Rathaus said: “They’re essential third spaces – where people return not just for music, but for connection, expression, and community. Promoters and artists are doing incredible work with limited resources, but for these spaces to truly thrive, we need serious investment and cultural recognition.”

People need queer nightlife and “third spaces”, but for many in Ireland, finding and holding onto the first and second places of home and work is challenging enough.

Lavender gets to the heart of the issue: “Dublin is choking. The cost-of-living crisis, rising rents, and relentless austerity are pushing people out of nightlife altogether […] Queer spaces are essential.

“They are lifelines. And right now, they are at risk of disappearing if we don’t fight for them. […] If we lose these spaces, we risk losing our community”.

We will always need nightlife and queer community, and it’s important to have it in Ireland. We can work together to create a better society for all so we can enjoy our lives, both in the day and the night.

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