An alterative night out has taken to the streets of Liverpool
Neon Nights Events Liverpool running club(Image: Neon Nights Events)
Nightlife as we know it is rapidly changing across Liverpool, with many opting to swap tequila shots for ginger shots and late nights clubbing in Concert Square for sunrise yoga on Crosby Beach. The city has experienced a running revolution, with many taking advantage of the scenic Sefton Park and historic Waterfront as prime locations for a jog.
Embracing this shift is Stephen Melling, founder of Neon Night Events. Despite still being in its infancy, with just six events having taken place so far, Neon Night Runs have attracted upwards of 70 people per event.
The group takes to the streets of Liverpool city centre on a Saturday night once a month, brandishing neon light sticks whilst running a sociable 5km to the soundtrack of local DJ Billie Clements, united in their desire to enjoy a Saturday night without the threat of a hangover.
Speaking to the ECHO, Stephen explained how the inspiration for this unique venture came from his recognition of the lack of Saturday night activities in the city other than drinking, particularly for recovering addicts as he once was.
He said: “I realised the demand as more people are becoming interested in health and wellbeing and there wasn’t much else to do of a weekend that didn’t involve drinking.
“I want people to still enjoy getting ready and dressed up and being able to have a good time without having to have alcohol involved.”
Founder Stephen Melling wanted an alterative night out experience(Image: Neon Nights Events)
Stephen refused to settle for the only two options being either sat at home isolated or going out to socialise only to be surrounded by the temptation of falling back into old habits and being stuck in a cycle of addiction. This project soon reached beyond those in rehab to all sober-curious individuals seeking an alternative Saturday night activity combining health and wellness with fun.
The idea coincides with the surge of interest in fitness in recent years, with Strava adding 2 million users per month, and the global electrolyte market having grown over 10% in the last year alone. As a result, nightlife hubs such as Matthew Street and Concert Square have met competitors in the form of Lark Lane and the Albert Dock.
Similarly, London Marathon applications have skyrocketed, with more and more finding a hobby in movement and moving away from the drinking culture which has long underpinned the country.
Stephen said his goal was to “create an alternative night out, where you can be home and in bed for 11pm having not spent excessive money and wake up feeling fresh on Sunday morning”.
He added: “It’s fitness and vibes combined so it’s really fun. It’s an alternative to a night out for everyone, not just people in recovery.”
Neon Night runners(Image: Neon Night Events)
Clearly, this aim has been successful, with Stephen believing he has created a community through repeat attendees leading to the formation of new friendships with like-minded people. Attendance has grown from around 17 people on its first event back in December 2024 to over 70 at its most recent.
He hopes its future events could see attendance surpass 100 – a real landmark figure for the company. He added: “I see people who’ve come right from the start and post on social media with the new friends they’ve made by coming. The yoga and meditation at the end helps people to wind down so they’re then ready for bed.”
There are no plans of stopping there though, with the intention being to broaden out into alcohol free nights out, so that people can still get dressed up without the hyperpresence of alcohol and drugs which characterises much of the stereotypical social scene.
Other local wellness groups have also arisen in recent years, including Girls On The Go, designed to be an inclusive space for girls to exercise and socialise in a safe and comfortable environment, underpinned by their mission to make the UK a less lonely place for women.
Neon Night has already gained a large following(Image: Neon Nights Events)
Founder Stephanie Barney told the ECHO that many women were “craving a space to meet people safely”, so she and co-founders Martin Mach and Caitlin Lewing provided them just that. They achieved this firstly through a run club, before expanding to bingo nights, pilates classes and craft workshops.
Both Stephen and Stephanie said the lasting impacts of Covid had isolated people, but simultaneously encouraged people to turn to exercise, with these groups pinpointing just how uniting and uplifting running can be.
Girls On The Go’s Stephanie has just won Merseyside Woman of the Year, and Neon Night Event’s next run scheduled for the beginning of September set to be its most popular yet.
Whilst it seems the conventional nightlife scene in Liverpool is going nowhere anytime soon, the popularity of these events reflects the appetite for a healthier lifestyle across the city, offering a new, exciting alternative when you don’t want to wake up with a throbbing headache the next morning but still want to let your hair down.