Are young people really becoming less interested in nightlife, or are their expectations of a night out in the city simply changing? On 28 August, the Vilnius Night Office will invite visitors to the Lithuanian discussion festival “BŪTENT!” to explore changing habits among young people, new event formats and the future of nightlife in Vilnius.
Younger generations are increasingly choosing nights out with less alcohol and more concerts, festivals, community activities and other experiences. At the same time, some traditional nightlife venues are facing declining attendance, rising operating costs and the challenge of reaching younger audiences.
But does this mean that nightlife is becoming less important to young people? Or is it not the desire to meet, dance, listen to music and spend time together that is changing, but rather the ways in which young people choose to do so?
The discussion “What Is Changing Vilnius at Night – Young People or the City?” will approach these questions from three different perspectives – those of young people, event organisers and the city.
Benas Bužinskas (“Draugai Draugams”)
will bring the perspective of a new generation of event organisers. “Draugai Draugams” events held across Vilnius attract large young audiences, making this an opportunity to discuss which event formats work today, how to reach young people and how their expectations differ from those associated with a traditional club night.
Edita Koliataitė (“22 bendra būtis” Open Youth Centre)
will bring insights from her day-to-day work with young people. What do they choose to do in the evenings? What encourages them to go out, and what puts them off? How important are prices, safety, alcohol, a sense of community and the opportunity to feel comfortable being themselves?
Gabija Liaugminaitė (Vilnius Night Office)
will bring the perspective of the city and the nightlife sector – what clubs and bars are saying about changing audiences, the challenges they face and how they are responding. The discussion will also explore the role that safety plays in young people’s decisions to go out and how a safer, more inclusive nightlife could help attract younger audiences.
The discussion will be moderated by Miglė Miglinaitė, a psychiatry resident and comedian, whose work brings together medicine and comedy.
Is nightlife really disappearing, or are its forms simply changing? What do young people expect from a night out in the city today? And is Vilnius nightlife changing fast enough to keep up with them?
Discussion: “What Is Changing Vilnius at Night – Young People or the City?”
28 August, 15:30–16:30
Vilnius Space, Bernardine Garden
Lithuanian discussion festival “BŪTENT!”
Full festival programme: https://diskusijufestivalis.lt/programa/
