In December 2020 the North South Alcohol Policy Advisory Group hosted a Knowledge Exchange to share evidence and policy developments relevant to reducing alcohol harm in night-life settings. Evidence is emerging on how to balance the pleasures and benefits of night life in our towns and cities with the need for a safe environment where the risk of harm, and sometimes tragedy, is minimised. This report provides a summary of the presentations made on the day, and the core points of discussion which ensued. In addition, Eleanor Murphy from the Northern Ireland Assembly Research and Information Service prepared a report on the webinar which has been used to inform the Committee for Communities deliberations on the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill. 

The Webinar was Chaired by Dr Chris Luke, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Senior Lecturer in Public Health, University College Cork. There were five presentations:

• Dr Helen McAvoy – ‘Alcohol and the night-time economy – policy context across the island’
• Dr Deirdre Mongan – ‘Alcohol Consumption and Harms in Nightlife Settings in the Republic of Ireland’
• Dr Joanna Purdy – ‘Alcohol Consumption and Harms in Nightlife Settings in Northern Ireland’
• Professor Niamh Fitzgerald – ‘The Relationship between alcohol licensing and alcohol related arm and some COVID-19 perspectives’
• Joanne Hopkins – ‘Welsh Approach to the Management and Monitoring of Alcohol Harm in the Night-Time Economy’