Groningen Considers Earlier Closing Times for Bars Due to Rise in Nightlife Violence
The city of Groningen is investigating whether bars and clubs should close earlier at night. This comes after a noticeable rise in violence, harassment, and alcohol abuse in the nightlife scene.
Groningen is currently one of the few cities in the Netherlands without official closing times for its hospitality venues. But that could change soon. In an interview with NRC Handelsblad, Mayor Mirjam van ’t Veld said the safety of Groningen’s nightlife has been under pressure for some time.
Since early 2025, the municipality has introduced hospitality stewards to help maintain order in nightlife areas. But according to both NRC and GIC.nl, this step hasn't done enough to prevent problems like aggression, sexual harassment, and excessive drinking.
Investigation Underway
The city is now conducting an official investigation into these incidents, especially in the city center. The goal is to collect clear data on how often problems occur and whether earlier closing times might help reduce them.
The study is being done in collaboration with the police and the local hospitality industry. Together, they aim to come up with a plan of action. This could include new rules for nightlife, including the possible introduction of closing times for bars and clubs.
Mayor van ’t Veld emphasised that she’s keeping an open mind. “I don’t have a set opinion on whether or not we should introduce closing times,” she told NRC. “What matters to me is that we look seriously at all options to reduce these excesses.”