NNaples– A new crackdown on nightlife in the historic center of Naples, with regulatory proposals from Palazzo San Giacomo, is sparking heated controversy among club owners and residents.
The rules, which aim to limit the "nightlife scene," risk bringing the entire economy to its knees, according to business owners, while residents, while welcoming them, are calling for rigorous enforcement and effective controls.
Locals say: "We're at risk of closure."
"They'd be quicker to close us down. With the new municipal rules, we can't work anymore, we'll fight back. We've already contacted our lawyers," warn many managers, expressing their dissent.
The measure, which must be approved by the City Council in September, limits the trial period to Piazza Bellini, Vico Quercia, Via Cisterna dell'Olio, and surrounding streets. Among the most contested measures are the ban on takeout sales at 2:XNUMX a.m. and the ban on serving drinks at outdoor tables two hours later.
The ban on outdoor music also worries venue owners. "Naples today is like Paris and Berlin. With live music, we offer a service that makes the city worthy of other international destinations. You can't shut down a part of Naples." While acknowledging the need for new regulations ("We've all expanded recently, there's no doubt that regulations are needed.")
The restaurant owners argue, explaining that "this is putting the economy in crisis. It's eliminating jobs." They hope "the City Council will call us to a discussion. They will listen to us. For example, we could have different opening hours for weekdays and weekends. But midnight is still too early."
Confcommercio Napoli, through its president Massimo Di Porzio, openly sides with the managers: "We are firmly opposed to measures that are not only severely punitive for bars and restaurants, but above all, ineffective in solving the problem of noise and the nightlife. An own goal that deserts the historic center, damaging the image of Naples."
Residents: "We need controls, not just new rules."
On the other side of the fence, residents of the historic center, exasperated by years of noise and inconvenience, welcome the new rules with a mixture of hope and skepticism.
The new measure is a step in the right direction. But proportionate penalties are needed. If the fine is €100, nothing will change. Anyone who earns €4 a night is taking a risk and moving on, not caring.
At the moment, the Manfredi council's resolution doesn't seem to fully convince either business owners or residents, two sides of a long-standing problem that the new measure, awaiting approval, will seek to address.
Article published by Federica Annunziata on July 30, 2025, at 07:25 AM
Comments (1)
The new rules are good, but I don't know if they're working as they should. The managers say they're closing, but the residents are right; they want more controls. I hope they find a compromise between the two sides, which is difficult.