Hobart night-time economy thriving, businesses reaping rewards, report finds
Hobart’s night-time economy is booming, recording significant growth in the last financial year, new research has confirmed. Why revellers are spending big in the city after dark >>>
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Hobart’s night life is experiencing a renaissance as nocturnal revellers soak up the state capital’s atmosphere and enjoy the increasing food and entertainment offerings available after dark, a new report has shown.
The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors has been commissioning research to measure the size of Australia’s night-time economy (NTE) every year since 2012, with the latest report by Ingenium Research finding that sales turnover and the number of night-time economy businesses continued to grow across the country in the 2023-24 financial year.
The NTE is defined as economic activity occurring between 6pm and 6am and is split into sectors, with the principal sector comprising food, drink, leisure, and entertainment businesses.
Ingenium Research’s report found that Hobart’s NTE was among the strongest performing in Australia, boasting 655 core businesses (an increase of 3 per cent on the previous year), which employ 7115 people (+17 per cent).
The growth in employment in Hobart’s core NTE businesses surged by more than 10 times the national growth rate of 1.4 per cent, driven by significant gains in the food sector, which added 870 jobs.
Sales turnover reached $1.1bn, which was a 10 per cent jump compared to 2022-23, while Friday was determined to be the busiest night in the city.
Since 2009, the number of core night life businesses has grown by 44.6 per cent, while employment in the sector has ballooned by 20.7 per cent.
Sixteen years ago, turnover for these businesses was $551m, growing by 42.3 per cent over the period to 2023-24.
Ingenium Research principal, Dr Anna Edwards, said Hobart had “done particularly well” in this year’s report.
“We’ve seen turnover up, jobs up and the number of businesses up,” she said.
“Clearly, [in] cities like Hobart – and of course the states and territories that invest in their night-time businesses and programs – you see that reflected in the economic activation and vibrant precincts.”
One business that is capitalising on the bustling Hobart night life is Lost in Asia, an offshoot of the popular Japanese bar and eatery Bar Wa Izakaya.
Owner Travis Oddie said the new Murray St restaurant was buoyed by Dark Mofo’s activation of the city during the winter months.
“It gives us more confidence to try new and exciting ventures rather than waiting all year to rely on the warmer times to hold us through the quieter times, with many thanks for City of Hobart’s support,” he said.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said initiatives such as amplified live music in Salamanca were helping to revitalise the city’s night life.
“These figures show that Hobart’s night-time economy is growing [with] more businesses, more jobs, and more people enjoying what our city has to offer,” she said.
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Originally published as Hobart night-time economy thriving, businesses reaping rewards, report finds
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