For some, getting to enjoy a big, greasy, smorgasbord-style meal after a night of drinking is the best part of going out. But for those people, it’s become increasingly challenging to find somewhere to enjoy a late-night meal as the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic continue to rear their ugly heads.
According to Yelp data, the number of establishments offering 24-hour meal service declined by 18 percent from 2020 to 2024. In New York — where 24-hour diners and restaurants flourished alongside a glittering, 20th century nightlife scene — the number of 24-hour restaurants fell 13 percent over the same period. Across the country in Los Angeles, a whopping 35 percent of 24-hour eateries have disappeared.
