Afterhours club


An afterhours club is a nightclub that is open past the designated curfew closing time for clubs that serve alcohol. 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. These licences are granted in Victoria, Australia, too; an example being the Revolver Upstairs club.
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
North America
Historic North America