Bars with 24-hour alcohol licenses England & Wales

In England and Wales, 700 pubs, bars and nightclubs were legally authorized to sell alcohol 24-hours a day. An additional 3,200 hotel bars held the license as well.

Licensing Act 2003

In 2003 a somewhat controversial Licensing Act was passed in England and Wales that abolished fixed closing times for bars and nightclubs, giving them the potential to open for 24-hours, 7 days a week. This was dependent on considerations such as the impact on businesses and local residents. Even if a venue holds the license, it may not necessarily operate 24 hours per day. Compared to numbers of licensed drinking premises, those holding such a license are relatively low.

Number of pubs, bars and nightclubs with 24-hour alcohol licenses in England and Wales from 2009 to 2018*

Characteristic	Pubs, bars and nightclubs	Hotel bars
2018	700	3,200
2017	800	3,200
2016	800	3,400
2014	900	3,600
2013	1,000	4,000
2012	900	4,500
2010	1,000	4,400
2009	900	4,400

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Release date

March 2019

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Region

United Kingdom (England, Wales)

Survey time period

March 31, 2009 to March 31, 2018

Supplementary notes

* Figures are as of March 31 each year. Data was not collected in 2011 and 2015.
These figures have been rounded, and includes imputed estimates for non-responding licensing authorities.

According to the source, "a 24-hour licence refers to premises that are licensed for the sale or supply of alcohol 24 hours per day (but may not operate 24 hours per day)".

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