New Bolt ridehail data reveals Thursdays take the lead as nightlife patterns shift
New data from ride-hailing service Bolt reveals a shift in nightlife habits, with Thursdays increasingly popular for nights out. The firm’s analysis shows a significant rise in Thursday-to-Friday nighttime trip ratios, up by 32% over the past three years.
In 2021, for every 100 Friday night trips, 57 were made on Thursdays. By 2024, this figure has surged to 75. The data also indicates an earlier start to peak nightlife hours. In 2024, the busiest time was 11pm on Saturdays, an hour earlier than in 2023.
However, despite these changes, fewer Brits are venturing out overall. According to Bolt, 27% of people are going out less at night compared to last year, citing financial concerns as the primary reason. Rising costs deter 63% of those cutting back, with 26% raising safety concerns and 15% blaming reduced venue availability.
Newcastle, Bristol, and Edinburgh lead the UK for nighttime activity, surpassing London. Yet, these cities are not immune to decline. Newcastle remains the top city for night-time trips, where 59% of journeys occur after dark, but this is down 6% from last year. Bristol and Edinburgh follow, each with over half of trips taking place at night.
For those still embracing night-time outings, dining dominates, with 55% of trips involving restaurants. Pubs account for 41%, while the cinema attracts 26%. Bars and theatres each see less than a quarter of night-time patrons, while clubbing appeals to only 11%. Live music and comedy venues draw 16%.
These trends reflect changing priorities for nightlife, as financial pressures and shifting preferences redefine how and when the UK socialises.
Chris McMillan, Operations Manager at Bolt, said: “Ride-hailing plays a key role in supporting the night-time economy, with our data showing that 22% of ride-hailing users rely on this mode of transport to visit bars and restaurants, attend events, and explore tourist destinations. In addition to being an efficient and safe way to get around, shared mobility gives a boost to businesses.
"Nightlife has changed over the last few years, with people now preferring weekday evenings to big weekend nights out. However, our insights show that people are going out less overall. This is impacting businesses and individuals alike, from bars and clubs, to restaurants and drivers. We all have a joint objective of protecting and rejuvenating this essential sector, which not only adds billions to the economy but provides a livelihood for millions of people."
Michael Kill, Chief Executive Officer of the Night Time Industries Association, said: "These findings from Bolt underscore a significant challenge facing the night-time economy. With people going out less, and many citing financial pressures, our sector faces profound impacts on both footfall and business sustainability.
“The shift to earlier hours and the drop in late-night engagement are reshaping the landscape for nightlife, with venues struggling to adapt. As an essential part of our culture and economy, we must urgently address these issues with government and stakeholders to support the businesses and communities that thrive in the night-time economy."
