Geography of the Nightlife: Emergence and ’death’ of bars/nightclubs in João Pessoa, Paraíba

The current urban restructuring of João Pessoa is characterised by discontinuity in its urbanisation pattern, enabling, through the installation of infrastructure and equipment, the valorisation of some spaces and the devaluation of others. In this sense, the expansion process is generating changes in land use, contributing to the specialisation of spaces. The research showed that the city’s urban expansion and restructuring directly interfered with the migration of bars and nightclubs, shifting the areas of activity to the seafront, especially since the 1980s. By ethnographically studying these areas of activity, we identified the multiple ways of experiencing urban life based on the social practices and behaviour of certain groups.