Staff Reporter
Boston’s nightlife scene may not yet feature giant bouncy houses, but the city’s Office of Nightlife Economy has been busy exploring ways to energize after-hours activity. The concept of a “blow-up nightclub” — essentially an inflatable nightclub hosting community events — first surfaced in early 2024 when Corean Reynolds, the newly appointed director of the office, shared her unusual vision.
Story Highlights
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Corean Reynolds proposed the “blow-up nightclub” concept to energize Boston nightlife.
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The city has not pursued or rented any inflatable nightclubs yet.
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Public records requests regarding the project were denied due to ongoing deliberations.
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Local companies sell or rent blow-up nightclubs for $600–$1,300.
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MBTA extended evening service to support nightlife accessibility.
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Bars seeking extended hours must apply to the Boston Licensing Board.
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“Wake Up the Night Grant” funded over 50 events across 13 neighborhoods.
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Late-night food truck pilot launched to improve after-hours food access.
In an interview with the Boston Business Journal shortly after her appointment, Reynolds said, “We want to explore the idea of a blow-up nightclub, a giant bouncy house that could host events like kids karaoke nights, block parties, and community gatherings.”
The idea was both quirky and intriguing, raising curiosity about whether Boston could become a city with truly unique nightlife experiences. However, in the months following Reynolds’ announcement, the city has been relatively quiet on the topic.
In April 2025, the city told the Boston Business Journal that it had “not yet pursued” the blow-up nightclub initiative, contradicting Reynolds’ earlier comments. When asked for more details, officials cited ongoing deliberations and declined to provide public records, saying that disclosure “would be harmful to those efforts”.
Despite the delays, Reynolds has continued to stress that the office is exploring the feasibility of such innovative nightlife projects. She recently told the BBJ, “We are currently determining the feasibility of an inflatable nightclub in Boston.”
Local businesses have already entered the market for inflatable nightclubs. Boston retailer Wayfair sells them for $800–$1,300, while Inflatable Nightclub Parties rents theirs starting at $600, promoting them as an “encapsulated sphere of nocturnal euphoria.” However, a representative for the company confirmed that the city has not contacted them about rentals or potential events.
While Boston’s blow-up nightclub remains on pause, Reynolds and her office have made strides in other areas of nightlife enhancement. One notable success came with the MBTA announcing extended evening service on Fridays and Saturdays. Reynolds had previously advocated for this, noting in 2024 that longer train hours could help support nightlife growth. The MBTA now plans to extend service by almost an hour on all subway lines during peak weekend evenings and selected bus routes, including some on the Silver Line.
Extending bar hours, however, remains a more complex issue. In a written response, the Office of Nightlife Economy explained that creating an extra hour for live entertainment “requires changes to the City Ordinance related to live entertainment.” Individual establishments would need to request extensions through the Boston Licensing Board. Despite these challenges, Reynolds’ office is taking preliminary steps to implement these changes.
Beyond transportation and licensing, the office has hosted a variety of community-focused nightlife events. From comedy nights and queer-friendly speed dating to pajama parties, these initiatives aim to make Boston nightlife more inclusive and engaging.
The “Wake Up the Night Grant,” launched in August 2024, has contributed $301,581 to 41 grantees, ultimately supporting over 50 events in 13 neighborhoods from August 2024 through January 2025. More recently, the office introduced a food truck pilot program, offering 11 operators the opportunity to provide late-night food service near hospitals, universities, music venues, and nightlife districts.
While inflatable nightclubs have yet to materialize, Boston’s Office of Nightlife Economy continues to push the boundaries of conventional after-hours entertainment. Reynolds’ vision, quirky or ambitious as it may be, underscores a larger effort to make Boston a more dynamic city once the sun goes down.
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