More Australian cities are embracing night-time strategies as they prove to be community, cultural and financial boosters.
Hobart, and Geelong in Victoria are canvassing ideas after each held night-time summits. Another Sydney district has joined NSW’s list of Special Entertainment Precincts.
Meantime, in helping to move the posts, Visa has issued eight grants to help turn ideas into action.
Hobart, Tasmania
In the wake of hosting a night-time round table in late May, the City of Hobart and Mayor Anna Reynolds met last week with the council’s Creative City and Senior Events teams to provide suggestions and updates.
Among notions thrown in the ring, as reported by the Hobart Mercury were a series of mini-festivals (one along the lines of Sydney’s Vivid), educating venue owners on how to deal with new business models, and greater promotion of events.
Hobart is embarking on a 12-month trial of its Live & Local program of more music events, and would see pop-up gigs and shared events in established buildings.
Councillor Ryan Posselt questioned if enough was being made of Hobart’s winter identity. “(In winter) it’s dark at 4.30pm. Where is our fire festival, where are our mini lights festivals?”
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May’s night-time summit was pepped up with appearances of NSW 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues and Queensland Night-Time Economy Commissioner John “JC” Collins to chat opportunities and challenges.
Rodrigues outlined the importance of providing as many options to attract a diverse crowd. “It isn’t necessarily about making a night out cheaper, but making the experience better [...] so that it beats sitting on the couch on a night out.”
Collins stressed helping grassroots venues survive. While stadium concert tickets jumped from $100 to $250 in the last decade, grassroots venues charged $20 – and were hit by younger patrons not drinking as much at the bar.
“The gap has widened and it’s really putting huge pressure on grassroots music venues.”
He added that Hobart being small and making events in proximity “really is an opportunity.”
Lord Mayor Reynolds, who’s driving the growth of the after-dark scene, noted, “Our night-time economy is a major driver of jobs, investment and city vibrancy. Hobart’s night-time economy already supports more than 7000 jobs and 650 local businesses.” Hobart’s NTE generates $1.1 billion a year.
Mayor Reynolds saw her first circle-backs as more public transport after dark, and to keep prices down for cash-strapped younger patrons. “We need to make sure that enjoying the night time economy is accessible and is affordable.”
Lack of late night public transport was one of the concerns raised at last year’s forum, along with regulation, insurance costs and labour shortages.
She also noted the importance of targeting “family groups, older people and arts lovers who all wanted things to do after dark.”
Eastwood, Sydney
Eastwood is the newest Special Entertainment Precinct in Sydney. Ryde City Council has received a $250,000 SEP Kickstart grant from the State Government to establish the precinct that includes Eastwood, Koreatown, and Chinatown.
There are nine precincts in operation in NSW. Eastwood joins 23 other councils working to establish new entertainment precincts.
The rollout of nightlife hubs is part of the Minns Labor Government’s rebuild of the NSW night-time economy which had a $6.1 billion turnover in 2023/4 and employed about 36,3502.
Already a foodie destination and filled with K-Pop and karaoke bars, Eastwood also is trialling a 24-hour library, and the Eastwood Night Markets and festivals including Lunar New Year.
Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham observed: “Eastwood is already becoming one of the best places to go out in Sydney, now it will get even better.
“The old centralised nightlife model of pouring everyone into Kings Cross didn’t work. Eastwood is a great example of the new approach which is about building unique precincts right across NSW.”
Geelong, Victoria
A Night Mayor, a Special Entertainment Precinct, and the creation of a Night-Time Economy Advisory Committee – those are three possibilities being discussed for Geelong’s live sector and night time economy.
Geelong, an hour’s drive out of Melbourne, has launched Goanna, Chrissy Amphlett, Alice Ivy, Magic Dirt, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, and Adam Harvey.
It even boasts an Arts and Culture, Hospitality and Live Entertainment portfolio.
On May 20, the 2026 Greater Geelong Live Music Summit drew 120 delegates to Barwon Heads Hotel. They included musicians, venue operators, industry leaders, State MPs, councillors, Music Victoria, Adelaide UNESCO City of Music, Oxygen College, and Live Music Locator.
Joe Hay, General Manager of Adelaide City of Music, met with Council, outlining how small-scale live music events, laneway activations, creative use of vacant shops and youth-focused cultural programming can help reinvigorate central city areas and muscle-up the night-time economy.
“By exploring strategies that support our local sounds and hospitality venues, we are building a louder, brighter and more creative future for Geelong,” said Eddy Kontelj , Deputy Mayor and Chair of Arts and Culture, Hospitality and Live Entertainment.
“Geelong has the talent, ideas and momentum. Now the focus turns to how we build on that energy through new opportunities, stronger connections and practical next steps for local artists, venues and audiences alike.”
Visa Grants
Visa, a world leader in digital payments, has announced the eight recipients of the $200,000 Visa Vibe Grants Program. It recognises “businesses and community organisations that are reimagining Australia’s night-time economy.”
The eight, from each state and territory, receive $25,000 “to turn new ideas into action – activating public spaces at night and expanding more affordable, safer, and inclusive experiences that drive local community connection.”
The eight are:
You Are Here, ACT – CBD Creative Workshops
Arts North West, NSW – When Main Streets Dream
MusicNT, NT – Night Territory
Swing Patrol Dance Group, QLD – Gabba Fridays: Activating Gabba's Logan Road Precinct
Pride Adelaide, SA – Pride After Dark and Night Markets
Committee For Greater Hobart, TAS – TUSA After Dark
Boroondara Cemetery, VIC – Firefly Winter Solstice Festival
What Were You Wearing Australia, WA – Safer Spaces
The eight initiatives, to be presented in June, July, and August, include swing dancing sessions under the stars, a Pride After Dark event, a music festival in a cemetery, a food night market, a shared pop-up table, and youth-led cultural activations.
They were chosen on how the projects aligned with at least one of the program’s core pillars – safety, affordability, inclusivity, or innovation.
Visa presents the grants in partnership with Mainstreet Australia, the national peak body supporting the networks of businesses, precinct organisations and local leaders who shape vibrant main streets and town centres.
Visa Country Manager for Oceania, Alan Machet shared, “Vibrant night-time experiences support the health of local economies, driving foot traffic to shopfronts and helping businesses build loyalty and reach new customers.
“Through the Visa Vibe Grants Program, we’re backing the bold ideas and organisations that will give Australians exciting opportunities to venture out after dark and boost small business growth.”
Report: Gen Z In Driving Seat
A deep dive from The Visa Vibe Economy Report shows Aussie Gen Z own the night-time.
73% of this age group goes out once or more a week, averaging 9.4 nights a month. Gen Y is bugging 7.2 nights a month. Half of Gen Zers say that going out at night-time lets them try more new experiences than during the day.
Melbourne is Australia’s #1 night-time hotspot, earning the highest Vibe Score (82.0) in the Visa Australia Night-time Economy Index 2025.
But Visa notes, “NSW is rapidly closing the gap, with Greater Sydney and Newcastle taking 12 of the top 20 night-time precincts.” It adds, this reflects “strong investment, clear policy and community engagement.”
In some instances, regional and suburban centres are outpacing capital cities in growth.
Favourite night-time activity is eating out. But over half (53%) want more night markets and festivals to diversify their options. Many (52%) are looking for affordable night-time options.
Cost is the biggest barrier for 66% to going out, respondents said. 56% want cheaper options. Safety is important for 45%. For 32% later public transport hours are imperative.
A substantial (47%) considers more investment is needed in their local nightlife needs. 74% would go out more and try new things if it improved.
The 2025 report points out, “In the last financial year, Visa’s spend insights shows Sydney’s restaurants and bars & pubs led NSW, with $1.1 billion and $550 million in night-time spend.
“Melbourne’s bars & pubs saw a 15% year-on-year increase, surpassing $558 million. In-person spending in Perth’s bar scene has surged 65% since the 2020 financial year.”
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
