Good Vibes Only: What Aussies Say Makes or Breaks a Night Out
Turns out Australians are big foodies, with our social needs following close behind to get us out of the house.
In partnership with 
In recent years, there's been a growing perception that Australian nightlife is in decline, as rising cost-of-living pressures push more people to stay in and "enjoy their rent." With social habits shifting, particularly among younger generations, more than a quarter of nightclubs have closed since the pandemic. At the same time, Gen Z is increasingly being described as the "sober curious" generation, with drinking rates continuing to fall.
All of these factors have resulted in quieter streets, restaurants that close earlier, and fewer people spending money in bars and clubs.
The Visa Vibe Economy report, commissioned by Visa and conducted by McCrindle, surveyed Australians to learn how we spend our evenings (and how much cash we splash on a night out). It turns out that there are still a number of Australians getting out and about after dark.
Getty Images Maskot
What's prompting Australians to get out?
It should come as no surprise that we are a nation of foodies, with the research revealing the main reason we leave our homes after dark is to go out for dinner. With our major cities having thousands of world-class restaurants to choose from, it's no wonder that seven in ten Australians put food at the top of the list when deciding on a night out. Next on the list was the quality of entertainment, and interestingly, whether or not you can grab a pint at a night-time venue is low on Aussies' priority list. Only 28 percent of people surveyed felt that alcohol availability was necessary when choosing where to spend a night out.
Aussies are heading out after dark for more than just a good time with mates—though that's still a big part of it. Half say they're hitting the streets to unwind and shake off the day, while many are keen to break the routine and discover something new. The call for fresh nighttime experiences is loud and clear, with over 50 percent of people wanting more night markets, festivals and late-night culture in their neighbourhoods.
Of course, the cost of living also plays a crucial role, with 52 percent of us looking for more affordable options for a night out. With restaurants charging premiums due to the price of produce and the cost of living not seeming to slow down anytime soon, people's leisure budgets are clearly taking a hit. On average, 81 percent of Australians spend up to $120 per person on a night out, and cost was the most significant barrier for people not getting out and about in the evening.
Who's getting out of the house the most frequently?
The Visa Australia Night-time Index 2025, a new in-depth analysis measuring data such as spending, vibrancy, and venues open after dark, found Melburnians are the cohort spending the most evenings away from the couch, with the city being crowned as the number one night-time hotspot in the country.
From the city's CBD laneway restaurants to the pubs in Brunswick and Fitzroy, Chapel Street's nightlife strip and St Kilda's live music scene, Melburnians have a number of precincts to choose from, all with a high standard of food, drink, and atmosphere.
After the Victorian capital, Sydney was next on the list of Australian nightlife hotspots. The city and Inner South, Eastern suburbs, Parramatta, Inner South West, Inner West and North Sydney were all locations that saw the most spending after dark.
Although you may feel your friends are staying in more than usual, the report finds that almost half of Australians go out in the evening at least once a week. Not bad. And despite their sober curious nature, Gen Z is leading that charge with 73 percent of the cohort getting out once or more a week. On average, the generation is spending 9.4 nights out per month, and boosting the economy at the same time.
Getty Images Klaus Vedfelt
Where to next?
Australians clearly love a night out. While we might not be hitting the clubs at the same rate as a few decades ago, the night-time economy is still contributing a lot to our way of life. So, get out there and try new restaurants, head to a night market you've not been to, and cheers to enjoying your city after dark.
Discover the vibe near you.
Lead image: Getty Images Thomas Barwick
