Podgorica’s Nightlife Shutdown? Hospitality Industry in Panic Over New Working Hours!
Have you ever thought that in Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, there’s practically nowhere to go out after midnight? No joke — this is the harsh reality threatening to kill the city’s nightlife and tourism! The Podgorica Hospitality Association has raised the alarm over a draft decision on the working hours of hospitality venues, which was just put up for public discussion — smack in the middle of July, the peak tourist season when nightlife should be booming.
What’s going on?
The city administration announced measures that would drastically limit the operating hours of cafes, bars, and restaurants. The decision proposes to abolish the possibility of extended working hours except for three days a year, and the fines for violations are hefty — up to 10,000 euros for legal entities! Is this normal in a country that lives off tourism? The hospitality sector says no.
Why is this a problem?
Podgorica is known as an urban destination with vibrant nightlife, music, and hospitality. This decision directly affects hundreds of venues and threatens thousands of jobs. Less working hours mean fewer guests, less turnover, fewer tips, less tax revenue, fewer night taxi rides, and less overall spending. While other countries stimulate nightlife as an important economic branch, Podgorica is going in the opposite direction.
Who was consulted?
Nothing is clear! The Hospitality Association claims they were not consulted, it’s unknown who formally proposed these measures, and the decision was not aligned with professionals or representatives of the hospitality sector. There’s also a question about why venues are divided according to the number of residential units in the building — an arbitrary measure that opens the door to abuse and selective enforcement.
What do the hospitality workers say?
“Is it normal that in a tourist country like Montenegro, a guest has nowhere to go after midnight?” they ask. They are calling on all hospitality workers, citizens, tourism workers, and media to come to the public discussion on July 10 at 12 PM in the Press Hall of the City Hall and join the fight to save Podgorica’s nightlife.
What’s next?
If such measures are adopted, Podgorica could lose its urban charm and cease to be a destination for young people and tourists looking for fun and a good time. This would be a blow not only to hospitality businesses but to the entire city economy.
Conclusion
This decision is like turning off the lights in the middle of a party! While the world moves towards stimulating the night economy, Podgorica is retreating into the shadows. Is this really what we want? If you have an opinion, maybe it’s time to share it — because Podgorica’s nightlife might never be the same.
So, what do you think? Is this the end of nightlife in Podgorica or just a bad idea that will be withdrawn? Drop a comment, share your story, or just say — where do we go after midnight now?
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