The New York City nightlife industry produces thousands of high paying service sector jobs that provide a powerful economic foundation for the city’s labor force. Moreover, nightlife venues furnish an important place of engagement for those who aim to develop human capital to enable movement outside of the industry, as well as supporting the ambitions of cooks and careerists inside the industry. While studies have looked specifically at the importance of artists in a regional economy[1] and the nature of nightlife as a “central nexus between commerce and culture,”[2] the proposed dissertation aims to understand the extent to which the nightlife economy can directly underwrite investment into and the development of labor force economic opportunity, and particularly of artistic endeavors. In so doing, this thesis will support better formation and understanding of public policies that engage with the development and operation of nightlife.

In addition to the overall historical development of New York City nightlife, the literature review component of the proposed dissertation will examine the evolution of City planning mechanisms as they relate to and have interacted with the nightlife industry. Historically, there have been many points of tension between the city’s nightlife establishments and the community; these continue to this day.[3] To better understand these tensions, and to better appreciate the ways in which planning and public policy can address them, Jesse Keyes will analyze the ways in which regulatory levers of power have developed to counter facets of nightlife establishments that create disruptions to the communities in which they are situated.

            Given the planning and public policy context, developed in the literature review, of the relationship between the nightlife industry and New York City planning and public policy,  I posit three key research questions by which to study sector-wide economic aspects of the nightlife industry, while focusing in on the employee base:

• How big is the industry? To date, this question has not been carefully researched. With estimates ranging from $5-$20 billion per year, it deserves closer attention.
• How are nightlife venues funded? More particularly, what is the source capital for their development, and what is the nature and scope of their ongoing income streams? Understanding why and how money flows into nightlife can better illuminate the economic influences the industry has on its labor force.
• How do nightlife employees spend and invest their incomes and leverage the skills they learn? An occupational approach to understanding an industry examines the skills and capabilities embedded in labor. This thesis will look to understand how human capital is developed through employment with nightlife venues.

Jesse Keyes said, A series of places where creative businesses are generated, where capital flows into “Art Worlds,” infusing artists and would-be artists with human and financial capital and market legitimacy.

[1] Ann Markusen and David King, “The Artistic Dividend: The Arts’ Hidden Contributions to Regional Development,” Project on Regional and Industrial Development (Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, 2003).

[2] Elizabeth Currid, The Warhol Economy: How Fashion, Art and Music Drive New York City (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007), 6.

[3] Kristen Demaline, “The Quality of Life in Community District 3: Nightlife Impacts,” prepared for Manhattan Community Board 3 (May, 2011).