The future of nightlife in Poland: The Industry and COVID can coexist

Exactly one year ago, nightlife in Poland and other venues worldwide were forced to close their doors in the wake of the rapid spread of coronavirus. Not only were venues affected but some of the most important music festivals such as Coachella, Ultra Music Festival, Tomorrowland Winter and Snowbombing had also announced its postponement in order to curb the outbreak.

Governments taking interest in reopening nightlife on the rise

The economic loss that the industry is facing and its consequences directly related to other industries such as tourism have caused great harm and the proper aid that has been solicited to every government has not been fulfilled, leaving many businesses in bankruptcy and with serious economic repercussions, as well as the workers of the industry that for the most part have been left abandoned. The effects of these shutdowns are starting to get the attention of governments since many are suffering one of the biggest crises in the past century, making them more open to start reactivating the economy. It’s safe to say that the nightlife economy with its restaurants, bars and clubs generates great economic impact for cities and countries worldwide. Many visitors coming to Warsaw, are being tempted by the variety of places to attend starting from the chill bars among the riverside and ending on the wild parties on the best rooftops in Warsaw.

Challenging period for the bars and clubs in Poland

What 2020 has brought us was a perfect lack of knowledge and vulnerability about a virus that has become a pandemic, in the middle of the 21st century. However, these trying times have called for more union than ever and have opened the doors to institutions, organizations, and companies, both private and public to join forces and “seek common ground”. Nightlife in Poland has been put to the real test of survival, unfortunately, it did not end successfully for everyone.

What’s safe to say is that clubbers have not been able to go out in over a year, making them “socially starved” especially after having to endure the consequences of being in quarantine and having to comply with strict curfews.

Pilot testing, a necessary tool for the future of the industry

The nightlife industry can be a solution to the current pandemic since it could be a primary detection source together with the governing authorities and act as a firewall to contain the spread of the virus. Having COVID testing to access nightlife venues can also get a big portion of the population to get tested when they wouldn’t otherwise. We support any tests being conducted in venues and to find the best solutions to reactivate an industry that has been completely shut for the past year.

The media has been echoing numerous tests that have been conducted already in places such as Amsterdam, where 1,300 people attended a music event at the Ziggo Dome designed to examine the risks of reopening venues and plan for the easing of lockdown restrictions.

We do believe that all the efforts and steps taken by industry and government might overcome the economic crisis caused by the pandemic outbreak. Saving restaurants, bars and clubs considered to be part of a huge entertainment and nightlife industry could protect dozens of employees from unemployment and financial instability. While the customers most likely define the staff members as managers, bartenders and waitresses, there is a much bigger number of people working ‘behind the scenes that keep the nightlife in Poland alive.