The night belongs to everyone: here’s how to foster an inclusive nightlife culture
Nightlife brings together people who might not otherwise meet during the day. But who feels welcome and safe, and who is given the space to help shape the nightlife? Together with DJ, entrepreneur, and trainer Suus te Braak (he/him) and Rabia Sheikh (she/her), co-founder of Amalgamation and active with the Nijmegen Night Mayor Foundation, we explore how diversity and inclusion in nightlife are also felt in practice.
The Night as a Place of Encounter
Suus te Braak has been active in Nijmegen’s cultural scene for over twenty years. Through HizzFit, he focuses, among other things, on the trans and queer communities and leads workshops on diversity and inclusion. Rabia Sheikh is a co-founder of Amalgamation, a platform that experiments with regenerative nightlife: a nightlife centered not only on partying, but also on caring for one another, collaboration, and a sustainable community. She is also involved with the Nijmegen Night Mayor Foundation.
Both see the night as a special meeting place. “What I love about the places and the people I meet is that there’s always a sense of camaraderie,” says Suus. At the same time, Rabia notes that Nijmegen’s diversity isn’t visible everywhere: “Sometimes you think Nijmegen isn’t diverse, but it actually is.” Communities often stick to their own circles. An accessible nightlife scene, in particular, can bring together people who otherwise wouldn’t meet. But nightlife also presents specific barriers: door policies, crowds, alcohol consumption, and the trip home can all determine whether someone feels free and safe enough to participate.
Inclusion starts right at the door...
An inclusive event starts right at the door. A friendly welcome, clear house rules, and a recognizable point of contact make it easier to feel welcome and to report inappropriate behavior. “Everyone who walks in wants to be acknowledged and greeted with a smile,” says Suus. At Amalgamation, a trained awareness team is on hand. This way, visitors know who to turn to, and the team can respond more quickly if something happens, Rabia explains.
Movisie emphasizes the importance of trained staff and collaboration in preventing and addressing inappropriate behavior while out on the town. For the cultural and creative sectors, Mores also offers support and information on inappropriate behavior. The Diversity & Inclusion Code also compiles knowledge on social safety.
...and it doesn't stop there
Safety doesn’t end at the exit of a club or festival. “You’re safe during an event like that, but outside the event, you’re alone and vulnerable,” says Suus. Within queer communities, there have long been ways to look out for one another, such as going to a party together and traveling back together. This is also a matter of inclusion: anyone who feels unsafe on the way there or afterward may decide not to come at all. So an inviting program isn’t enough if the surrounding circumstances make participation difficult.
💡 Tip: Are you organizing a nighttime event? Let visitors know in advance how they can leave safely at night, where they can ask for help, and who to contact in case of an incident. Also discuss with your team what to do if someone is afraid to go home alone.
A diverse lineup does not necessarily mean an inclusive organization
Diversity is often most visible in a program—for example, in the creators you feature or the people you showcase in your communications. While this can be valuable, it doesn’t necessarily reflect how inclusive the organization itself is.DeCode Diversity & Inclusion therefore examines four interconnected “P’s”: Program, Audience, Staff, and Partners. Structural inclusion, then, is also about who works behind the scenes, who you collaborate with, and who influences decisions. Furthermore,the evaluation of five years ofCode D&I shows that sustainable change requires time, ownership, and sustained attention.
Suus and Rabia also emphasize that inclusion goes beyond a one-time program or a theme month. “The most important thing is to get people on board. Don’t make decisions for people—work from the bottom up,” says Rabia. That also means not just asking communities for input, but giving them the space to actually exert influence. “It’s not about collecting ideas; it’s about co-creation.” Suus adds: “Don’t just look at who you’re programming for, but also at who can contribute ideas, make decisions, and gain access to the resources to build something themselves.”
Not just the stage, but also the resources
Working in a more inclusive way takes time, resources, and money. In the nightlife scene, this is particularly challenging due to temporary venues, late working hours, and organizers who put on events alongside their regular jobs. It can be especially difficult for less visible communities to organize their own initiatives without a venue, a network, or a startup budget. As a result, their ideas and cultural expressions sometimes remain out of the spotlight. Rabia therefore advocates for fairer access to existing resources: “Give it back to the people and don’t let just one or two organizations call all the shots. People need to be able to organize for themselves.”
It doesn’t have to be just about grant money. For example, organizations can make a venue or equipment available, share expertise on production and permits, or help new initiatives reach an audience. For communities with limited access to existing venues, that can make a big difference. Suus recognizes this way of collaborating: “If I can’t figure it out on my own, I ask for help within the community. We share the resources, experience, and knowledge we have.”
An inclusive nightlife culture gives people not only the chance to be visitors, but also to organize events themselves and create a space for their community. This creates more opportunities for people to meet, recognize one another, and connect—especially among groups that would otherwise be less likely to cross paths. “You understand each other better when you meet at night,” says Rabia.
💡 Tip: Consider supporting a new nightlife initiative from a community you haven’t reached much yet. Share your venue, technology, or promotional channels, and work together to agree on the programming and responsibilities. That way, you’re not only providing access but also giving them a say.
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