Lift Karaoke Club to Shut Down
Kyiv's Lift karaoke club has announced it will cease operations permanently. The venue's final three nights open to the public are scheduled for March 13, 14, and 15, as confirmed by its official social media channels. While no specific reason for the closure was provided, the club will officially shut its doors after March 15. This closure reflects a broader trend of business challenges within Ukraine's entertainment sector.
Located at 43 Antonovycha Street in Kyiv, Lift was renowned as one of the city's largest nightclubs and a prominent hub for the LGBTQ+ community. It gained popularity among locals and visitors for regularly hosting drag shows and performances by well-known artists.
“We sincerely thank everyone who was part of this story: those who took the stage, those who supported with applause, and those who simply came and created the atmosphere with us.”
The shutdown of Lift coincides with a significant decline in business activity across Ukraine. Official data shows that 11,223 companies closed in 2025. The peak of these closures occurred in September 2025, when 1,464 enterprises ceased operations simultaneously. The average age of entities closed in 2025 was:
- Joint-stock companies — 28 years and 7 months,
- Local government bodies — 27 years and 10 months,
- State-owned enterprises — 26 years and 7 months.
The closure of Lift symbolizes a wider trend in Ukraine's entertainment and business landscape, where many enterprises are facing economic hardships. This loss is likely to impact Kyiv's cultural scene, as the club served as a vital safe space for the LGBTQ+ community and a popular leisure destination. With the rising number of business closures, the issue of supporting entrepreneurship and cultural initiatives is becoming increasingly urgent for Ukrainian society.