Covid Nightlife Guidance Published

News & Features

Specific Covid-19 guidance for nightlife venues has been published online.

A drawing of people dancing with the words little south at the bottom

"The guide includes steps on how to plan a safe venue layout, when and where face masks should be worn and how to serve drinks safely."

The guide takes input from experts across various fields from tech, healthcare, live events and festival management. Including steps on how to plan a safe venue layout, when and where face masks should be worn, how to serve drinks and how they should be positioned on tables safely, the guide drills down into specific situations.



The brainchild of Morgan Deane, managing partner of 508 Events and founder of Lasher Louis Productions, 'A Light in the Night, Reopening & Operating Nightlife Venues in the Time of Covid-19' is a guide for small nightlife venues reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic, and is available for free to support the industry.

A group of people are dancing in a room with the words little south on the bottom

"Venues should think about switching focus from internal spaces to using the car parks, beer gardens to create outside dancing spaces."

Particular attention has been made for venues to think carefully about the space that they have and to use it wisely. With an 'outside is safest' approach, the guidance even suggests turning a lobby into areas where ventilation can provide safe social space where tables could be positioned. Venues should think about switching focus from internal spaces to using the car parks, beer gardens to create outside dancing spaces.


Deane said: “We believe local, independent nightlife is vital to the health and survival of arts and culture. Small venues all over the world are incubating new talent, exciting trends, and remarkable ideas. Still, others are honoring history and maintaining cultural traditions. Some are even doing both... the intention is to offer independents some support and a place to start. It is not a checklist. Rather, it’s our hope that this is the beginning of a global conversation about the value and importance of small, local nightlife and how to keep it alive... Save the Dancefloor”



Read the full guidance.

The little south logo is on a blue background.

Written by

Editorial Team • 22 July 2020
by Editorial Team 30 June 2025
Released on June 25, 2001, Basement Jaxx's 'Rooty' showcases the versatile nature of house music through a dynamic blend of various musical styles supported by strong pop hooks and meticulous production. This second album solidified Basement Jaxx's position in the pop music scene while promoting UK house music.
by Editorial Team 28 June 2025
The Sonar events team is set to return to the well-known Terrace venue, located along the picturesque water's edge of Plymouth Hoe. The upcoming event, titled "Foxtrot Oscar and Dance," focuses on encouraging attendees to enjoy a night of house music and dancing. The lineup features popular local DJs, including Andy Ba
by Editorial Team 27 June 2025
Becky Blue is an artist hailing from the North Coast of Cornwall who is becoming known for her contributions to the house music scene. Her DJ sets feature a tried and tested sound that incorporates melodic vocal house music, reflecting the warmth of the South West's seasonal atmosphere. We explore her inspirations.
by Editorial Team 21 June 2025
Smart watches equipped with impact and fall detection features have increasingly been associated with a significant rise in emergency service calls at festivals worldwide.
by Editorial Team 12 June 2025
Lee Drift is a well-known artist across the South West and has gained international attention through his performances worldwide. With this episode he returns to create a summer podcast mix featuring his distinctive tech house sound. Lee discusses his upcoming summer plans, which include the release of new music on WildCard Records and an intention to expand his live DJ sets throughout the region.
by Editorial Team 31 May 2025
We welcome no stranger to the South West house music habitat, James Farley who creates the warm foundations with his latest podcast mix. Here James talks about the highlights of his year such as visiting Amsterdam's ADE festival and his exciting summer playing for DancersHip and Sewann events in Plymouth. This episode is slick as ever and full of fine house music.
Show More