Overview
- The study, based on June–July surveys of 129 businesses and 200 guests, estimates 6.2 million visits in 2024, about €432 million in gross revenue and roughly €211 million in value added.
- Researchers count nearly 1,500 restaurants, about 620 bars and pubs, and around 80 clubs across Frankfurt’s night economy.
- Surveyed users rated nightlife as crucial for the city’s image (85 percent), a draw for tourists (81 percent) and a contributor to quality of life (69 percent).
- Operators report shrinking crowds, higher costs and regulatory frictions, citing GEMA fees at the Gibson club rising from €20,000 in 2012 to €86,000 today and noting younger patrons go out less and spend less; Dehoga Hessen says roughly half of venues have closed or changed concepts over the past decade.
- The study’s authors recommend structural steps such as an annual night report, a quality seal, funding for new formats and neighborhood networks, while operators urge concrete city support and point to Berlin’s noise fund as a model; officials voiced support for collaboration with the Night Council but announced no new funding.