Is Gay Nightlife Suffering Because of Gen Z?

Is Gay Nightlife Suffering Because of Gen Z?

There's been some gay chatter across the nation as nightlife...where is everyone? What has become gay chatter has become the cold, hard truth: gay nightlife is in a state of suffering. Across the nation, even long-standing nightclubs and bars are having to shut their doors. Here at Fleshbot Gay HQ in West Hollywood, we see Boystown changing. A neighborhood that used to be packed for happy hour is a bit of a ghost town. Clubs are reporting lower and lower numbers coming through their doors. A big complaint, and hot topic, in West Hollywood has been the growing throngs of bachelorette parties and straight folk taking over the bars. Being close to a number of employees in gay nightlife, we know, firsthand, that some clubs are behind on paying their staff.

And the big issue, many are sharing, is that even with the clubs full of people, the bartenders are just standing around because no one is drinking. Who is to blame? Many are pointing their fingers at Gen Z because even though they might be going out to dance, they aren't buying drinks. How can nightlife survive if no one is buying drinks? Here are some of the factors as to why Gen Z isn't drinking.

Like many in this economy, Gen Z doesn't want to spend the money on drinks. We can personally attest to the fact that drinks keep getting more and more expensive. We used to have many nights out, but with the costs, we have been brought down to about two nights a week out. Clubs are having to charge more for drinks because sales are going down. Doesn't make sense, does it? Gen Zers can barely afford rent, much less $20 on one drink.

Gen Z is also more health-minded. When we came out, going out in gay nightlife was just like going to the gym. There was a lot of priority put on going out, and not much emphasis on the negative effects of drinking. Gen Z doesn't want to be hungover, and they don't want to waste the calories on overpriced drinks. Even if Gen Z does drink, they will usually call it quits after two drinks. Um, not in our day. We'd pound the drinks until we woke up in a stupor the next day.

Gen Z relies on other things to let loose - like cannabis. Cannabis is more affordable, has become socially acceptable, is widely done (even by sober people - it's called California Sober), and doesn't have hangover effects like alcohol does. Gen Z will also look for group events that are more health-minded, like hikes, beach days, or yoga. Sigh. (We are typing this as we sip our martini, LOL.)

The glamour of drinking has been taken away. We used to see celebs drinking the night away and be in awe of the fun and prestige that came with it, much like smoking was promoted during the 50s. Now, we clearly see the health defects of continued drinking, and seeing someone act like a fool while being drunk isn't funny anymore. Gen Z has less respect or interest in folk who can't handle themselves well.

Tech also has a big part to do with the decline of gay nightlife, and not just within the Gen Z population. We used to have to go out in order to meet guys for dates or hooking up. We used to go out and dance and, gasp!, actually talk to strangers. Now we have Grindr and Sniffies to hook up. Even social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have taken over as a way to socialize with other queer folk. We have more options to meet and connect.

So, with the younger generation not taking over with drinking sales, what is gay nightlife to do? We cringe every time we hear of yet another venue that has closed its doors or has restricted its open times, but we also look at our wallets every time we get the urge to go out. So how do we keep nightlife alive? Some bars are trying to incorporate after-hours or even sober events, but that isn't bringing in the same revenue needed to keep a club going.

Your thoughts?