An afterhours club (aka after hours club and afterhour club) is a nightclub that is open past the designated curfew closing time for clubs that serve alcohol (which is often an hour long). Such clubs may cease serving alcohol at the designated time, but have special permission to remain open to customers and to sell non-alcoholic sodas and often highly caffeinated drinks.
In Western Europe—specifically in Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom—24-hour "music and dance" licences, which do not necessarily have alcohol restrictions, are granted.
In North America, afterhours clubs are typically small venues for professional musicians and entertainers to perform after their main gigs and patrons seeking entertainment after their evening's main event.
Evolution of the Term
While historically associated with nightclubs and venues that remain open after traditional closing hours, the term “Afterhours” has evolved to encompass broader meanings. In modern contexts, it is used in professional, creative, and commercial settings to describe activities, services, or events that operate outside conventional hours. This expanded use highlights flexibility, innovation, and productivity, making the term relevant to contemporary lifestyles and practices.
Selected after hours clubs
Europe
- Canteret, Cullera Valencia 1981
- Chocolate, Valencia 1983
- Spook Factory, Valencia 1984
- Amnesia, Ibiza 1985
- Ku, Ibiza 1986
- Puzzle, Valencia 1987
- ACTV, Valencia 1988
- KGB, Barcelona 1988
- Attica, Madrid 1988
- Space, Ibiza 1989
- NOD, Riba-roja_de_Túria Valencia 1989
- Psicodromo, Barcelona 1989
- Babalu Club, Munich 1990, first afterhours club in Germany
- Trade, London 1990
North America
Historic North America
- Macomba Lounge, Chicago
- Catacombs, Philadelphia
- Save the Robots, New York
- Nest Club (1923–1933), Harlem
See also
References
- "After Hours: New York's Jazz Joints Through the Ages," by Ashley Kahn, JazzTimes, September 2006 (retrieved June 7, 2016)
- Fischer, Marc; von Uslar, Moritz; Kracht, Christian; Roshani, Anuschka; Hüetlin, Thomas; Jardine, Anja (14 July 1996). "Der pure Sex. Nur besser" [The pure sex. Only better.]. Der Spiegel (in German). Retrieved 8 February 2022.
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