Tartu Seeks to Revitalize Nightlife with New Strategy
The city of Tartu has introduced a preliminary strategy for evening and nightlife development until 2035, aiming to make nightlife more attractive and safer. The plan includes restricting off-premise alcohol sales after 10 PM and increasing police and security presence.
The municipality of Tartu has unveiled a preliminary strategy to enhance the city's nightlife, designed for the period up to 2035. The main goal is to make nightlife not only more appealing but also safer. One of the key proposals is to ban the sale of alcohol for takeaway after 10 PM, as well as to strengthen the presence of police and security services.
According to Tartu Deputy Mayor Kertu Vuks, business owners themselves suggested limiting alcohol sales on the streets during late hours. She emphasized that alcohol should be consumed only at the point of sale, not in public spaces. Currently, it is common to see people drinking from bottles on Tartu's streets at night, causing issues.
Asser Jõgar, director of the bar "Vein ja Vine," noted that the main problems are related to the sale of strong alcohol for takeaway. Although the police have been conducting night patrols more frequently since spring and security firms are involved, the situation in problem areas has not changed significantly. He stated that even during night hours, public places in the Old Town are still being soiled and bottles broken.
Jaan Kroon, executive director of the "Genialistide Klubi," admitted that they have already started limiting alcohol sales for takeaway. He mentioned that particularly problematic is the use of deposit bottles, which people carry around the city. To mitigate these issues, the club checks bottles at the entrance during the busiest evenings.
At the same time, several clubs and bars have closed in Tartu in recent years. This month, after 14 years of operation, the club "Shooters" also shut down. Kertu Vuks believes this is due to changing youth culture – today's young people prefer places where they can eat, talk, and maybe dance. This indicates that the nightlife landscape is changing.
The strategy aims to revitalize Tartu's nightlife while ensuring safety. Proposals for the draft strategy are accepted until August 31, after which a detailed action plan will be developed.
