Problems with alcohol and illegal drugs are involved in nightlife. In recent decades, this kind of entertainment has undergone great growth. Tourism has had a lot to do with the expansion of this model. Problems related to excessive alcohol use are however also found in the events promoted by municipalities themselves.

Municipalities are placed in a difficult position: they need to promote nightlife (which is a source of wealth and well-being) while trying to minimize the problems associated with the practice of this kind of entertainment. This article tackles the impact of recreational nightlife on municipalities.

Local governments can play a major role in structural prevention (regulation of opening hours, banning of certain places and/or certain times for alcohol trade, increasing and reorganising police surveillance, ensuring strict compliance of the law, securing perimeters to reduce social nuisances…); also in behavioural prevention (including school programmes for students and their families, awareness-raising activities with street educators and social workers…) that can be undertaken by professionals and technical staff of the different municipal areas that they cover. The role that municipalities can and should play, along with some good practices implemented by local governments, are reviewed and discussed. The need to establish platforms or coalitions to facilitate the implementation and sustainability of the measures is also emphasized.