It’s no secret that drug use, legal and illegal, is part of daytime festivals and nighttime socializing. Although “zero tolerance” is still the default in many places, drug policy in the U.S. is shifting. What would it take for cities to adopt a harm-reduction approach in their nightlife venues? Can licensing officials recognize that the role of security and staff at venues is better spent on harm reduction than apprehension? Should training focus on medical intervention for opioid overdose rather than trying to catch patrons with cannabis, coke, and MDMA?

Women experience going out at night differently from men. While women represent half the population, they are the majority of recipients of sexual harassment and violence. Most perpetrators are men, as are security staff, indicating a need for training and education of the other half of the population. However, many campaigns are solely directed at women or encourage changes to women’s behavior. Bring your ideas on making public spaces and social venues safer for female patrons and employees who work and play at night.

They were the first to close and the last to open. Live music and live music venues were greatly impacted by COVID era restrictions. As public demand increases, the music industry faces challenges from  rent, security staff shortages, insurance and competition from festivals and events.

The lighting of the street with gas in the early 1800s created a safer life at night. The lamplighter became the foundation for modern-day policing. Yet as late-night problems emerged, police and policymakers debated closing hours for alcohol service.  Today, this debate continues throughout the world, attempting to balance the social needs of adults and impacts on public safety and residential quality of life. Closing hours are the focal point without a definitive formula to achieve the desired outcome.

With the repeal of prohibition, states were given the authority to regulate the sale of alcoholic beverages. For almost a century, some systems have still governed the regulatory process, often hindering local authorities to determine how to best distribute licenses and address at-risk businesses in a timely manner.

Cannabis lounges are a hot new trend where you can consume on-site. But, you still can’t legally buy a drink and consume cannabis in the same space. This session will explore the role of cannabis in social districts and implications when you separate out spaces to consume different recreational substances.

Police are typically the catch-all for public safety challenges in nightlife settings. But other city, county and state agencies also play a critical role in nighttime safety. Learn how an inter-agency alliance can facilitate collaboration among code compliance, alcohol enforcement, fire and health departments. Benefits included data sharing, compliance training for businesses, and educational support prior to enforcement.

More cities are creating an office on nightlife with dedicated staff and advisory boards. It is an evolving field and job descriptions and structure vary considerably from city to city. The early pioneers have navigated the ambiguity of what a “night manager/night mayor” does on a day-to-day basis, and in some cities, resources are expanding to support additional staff and data analysis. Would a dedicated office on nightlife and staff be useful to enhancing sociability and controlling chaos?

Public space vibrancy offers a continuum of outdoor activities such as sidewalk dining, outdoor seating, street performers, markets, food vendors, festivals and art walks. Truly vibrant cities maintain social activity during day and night. COVID also introduced expanded parklets and streeteries, taking over parking and closing streets. Take-out and delivery, scooters and bikes, pedicabs, food trucks and deliveries all compete for reduced parking and infrastructure. Is it time for a nighttime “Street Venue Manager” to coordinate and manage the impacts?