How important is the nightlife industry to your city’s economy? I was charged to find out for Syracuse, New York. Four hours to the South of Syracuse is New York City, a city known for not sleeping; but, what about a city with a population of 150,000 people that is experiencing a shrinking young professional population and flight to the suburbs.  Can a healthy downtown nightlife scene help bring people back and give a much needed boost to the economy? You bet it can.

I started this endevour by compiling city data, conducting a survey and interviewing nightlife businesses - i.e. places to have a drink or drink, dance, view art and be entertained after 5 PM.  I felt there was without a doubt a significant impact a healthy downtown nightlife would have on the city. The significance of this impact was the most difficult to determine.

I surveyed 640 city residents and visitors to determine consumer trends in night time activities. The survey asked questions such as. How much money do you typically spend per week on entertainment? On dinning out? Would you enjoy living near an “enteratinment district”? If so, what would you like it to consist of? From the survey results, an 84 page report was concieved called, “Syracuse’s After Dark Economy”.

Similar reports & articles:

• $9 Billion Economic Impact of NYC Nightlife  
• Houston Lacking Nightlife
• Neighbors and Nightclubs
• Canada Economic Impact Assessments

As a self proclaimed expert on Upstate New York nightlife I was asked to give a presentation on Syracuse New York’s nightlife for the 40 Below Summit in front of several hundred people.