Rise of ‘grownup playgrounds’ as nightclubs vanish throughout UK and excessive streets ‘adapt’

EXCLUSIVE: Brits are ditching big boozy nights out on the sesh for ball games. Gone are the days of the club as ‘immersive entertainment’ venues are the new ‘in-thing’. We take a look into it

If you have a quick scroll on social media, you’ll notice a surge of nostalgic videos remembering the ‘good ol’ days’. No, it’s not grandparents reminiscing about spam and rationing.

Instead, it’s 40-somethings desperate to transport themselves back in time to club nights, rave culture and, specifically, that one night on Brighton beach with Fat Boy Slim back in 2002.

And for those not in the older millennial or Gen X age-range, people are experiencing serious FOMO (fear of missing out) due to the dwindling club and party scene in the UK.

While some are dreaming of pre-mobile phone messy club and rave days, many others are happily participating in what we are calling the ‘rise of the adult playground’. It’s predicted that all UK clubs will close their doors by 2030. But, going out isn’t a completely dead concept. People have just replaced boozy club nights with bouncy balls – quite literally.

Venues such as Boom Battle Bar, Hijingo and Covent Garden’s newly opened Bat & Ball are a reaction to punters growing distaste to messy nights out and eagerness for a bit of fun where alcohol isn’t the main motive.

To understand more about why people are choosing ping pong, bingo and karaoke over getting on the sesh, we spoke with trend forecaster and co-host of the Let’s Get Ugly podcast Disha Daswaney about the rise of adult playgrounds.

She explained: “The rise of ‘adult playgrounds’ is driven by a shift in consumer preferences towards experience-led socialising. People are looking for more than just food and drink – they want entertainment, engagement, and novelty.

“The popularity of venues offering activities like mini-golf, darts, escape rooms, and immersive gaming reflects a growing demand for interactive and shareable experiences.

“This trend is also fuelled by the desire for unique, Instagrammable moments and a move away from traditional nightlife settings.

“The pandemic played a role, too, as it heightened people’s appetite for in-person, hands-on activities after long periods of isolation.”

Disha continued: “This shift suggests that people are becoming more intentional with their social time. Rather than simply drinking at a bar, they want a structured experience that feels more rewarding.

“It also reflects a decline in binge-drinking culture, with many younger consumers prioritising moderation, wellness, and social engagement over purely alcohol-fuelled nights.

“The success of competitive socialising venues indicates that people are willing to spend money on memorable activities rather than just drinks, and that going out is becoming more about connection and entertainment rather than just routine.”

In the past four years, the UK has lost 37% of its clubs and the decline is not slowing anytime soon. According to industry experts, without any immediate intervention, the UK will see “the end of a clubbing era that has defined generations” by 2029.

Speaking to Sky News, Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night-time Industries Association (NTIA) is hoping that the government will intervene to save “vital part of the UK’s social fabric.”

However, it looks like people are turning away from what was once part-and-parcel of British culture. Along with pressures of the cost-of-living crisis, the increasing interest in sobriety, the rising cost of beer and fears for safety, clubbing is no longer a crucial feature amongst our high streets and leisure parks.

Disha shared that this links with the depletion of the high street as we once knew it. Businesses are having to adapt, becoming more leisure-focused and combining more than one element to attract customers.

The trend forecaster added: “High streets are already adapting, with more leisure-focused businesses replacing traditional retail and hospitality venues.

“The rise of experiential entertainment means that we’ll see fewer standalone pubs and more multi-activity spaces offering a combination of food, drink, and entertainment.

“Shopping centres and high streets will likely incorporate more interactive elements, from VR gaming hubs to multi-purpose event spaces.

“As work-from-home culture continues, city centres may shift towards these leisure-first venues to attract visitors outside of office hours.

“Theatres, cinemas, and even gyms could begin integrating social experiences into their offerings to compete with this new wave of entertainment.”

So what’s next? What will our nightlife culture look like in 10 years? Well, Disha thinks that these ‘immersive’ venues will continue to prove popular as the sober movement continues to grow and prices of alcohol skyrocket.

As people are already getting fed up sitting behind their screen, ‘digital detoxes’ will become more commonplace so people will look to have fun with their mates in real life.

However, at the same time, Disha believes that AI and VR will become more apparent in our going out habits. Already, venues like Hijingo and Boom Battle Bar have incorporated AI into their venues.

But, could we be playing ping pong with a robot in the future? Perhaps. Either way, adult playgrounds are not going away as people seek the nostalgia from childhood or young adulthood away from uber-boozy and expensive venues.

Disha concluded: “The next decade will likely see the rise of hyper-immersive venues that blend technology with social experiences.

“Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) entertainment hubs could become more mainstream, allowing groups to experience interactive storytelling, gaming, or digital art in a social setting.

“Hybrid wellness and nightlife spaces might also gain traction, combining fitness, relaxation, and socialising (think yoga studios that transform into cocktail lounges at night).

“Sustainability-focused venues offering eco-conscious experiences, such as zero-waste cocktail bars or farm-to-table dining with interactive cooking classes, could also appeal to the next generation of consumers.

“Finally, nostalgia-driven experiences – such as ‘90s arcade bars or theme parks for adults – may continue to gain popularity, tapping into the desire for escapism and fun.”