First time clubbing EVER

[colosseum]

Alright, just recently turned 21 but I'm on my own for a summer internship in a big city. A friend invited me to a club tonight, and I'm thinking about going, but wouldn't it be weird going alone?

 

But first time going. Ever. I'd really like some tips, advice, "do"s and "dont"s regarding anything and everything: drinks, dancing, etiquette, etc. *Also with regard to meeting people--I would like to meet people, but not make a total fool out of myself--either by being the creepy quiet guy or by being the obnoxious arrogant dude*

[JohnnyBlaze]

1. Decide up front whether you want to be in control (i.e. be able to talk without slurring), or you want to go party your butt off. Watch your drinking accordingly. 1-2 drinks to relax if you're nervous is one thing, but don't have more drinks than you can count on one hand. And NO shots. This cannot be stressed enough. Shots usually lead to war stories. If you decide to be the partier, wait until your friend shows, and then ask him if he'll be your handler first. That way, if you're about to do anything excessively stupid, he can reel you in before you get kicked out/punched out.

 

2. You're not really going alone. You're meeting a friend. It'll probably feel weird for a bit, but once your friend arrives, things'll be cool.

 

3. Dancing, I have no words for you. On the rare occasions that I do dance, it resembles Stephen Hawking having an epileptic seizure, so taking advice on this front from me would just be wrong.

 

4. Know your boundaries. Don't hit on the chick that walked in with the linebacker, or mouth off to the bartender, bouncer, or any other staffer. At the least, they'll shortweight your drinks. At worst, they'll take you out back.

 

5. Be cool to the waitress. She'll flirt with you, and feel free to flirt back, but realize that she's probably not interested. She only sees 1,000 of you each night. But if you're nice to her, and tip her, you'll get better service than the guy on the other side who's calling her "sweetheart" and slapping her butt.

 

6. If you want to be seen, it's better to be the obnoxious guy than the shy one. Clubs are all about seeing and being seen. Be outgoing, if possible. Clubs are entirely a numbers game.

 

7. Find out what kind of club you're going in beforehand, and dress accordingly. Some clubs have dress codes, and the code varies. Whatever it is, though, wear something that'll make you stand out a little. Remember, you only have to fit in to a degree; you still want to be noticed (in a good way). If you have any girl friends, they'll have some good advice in this department, or at worst, take them on a shopping spree. Most are only too happy to take a guy style shopping.

 

8. Talk to the doorman. If you find yourself going back, you might be able to skip line after a while. There's one joint back home I go to every once in a while (used to go there more often in my younger days), but even now, all I have to do is walk right up to the door, say hi, and I bypass the 30 minute line - even as a lone guy (and usually don't have to pay the cover, either).

 

8. Remember, it's just a bar. There's nothing special about it, so don't go thinking that it's some magical joint, and don't walk in with high expectations. Just expect to go in, meet a friend, have a few drinks, listen to some tunes, and leave. That way, you won't be disappointed if nothing else happens. If anything else does happen, bonus!

 

Have fun!

[Thornton]

Watch Your Drink! Preferably choose a bottle, which is more difficult for someone to drop something into, and keep your thumb over the mouth of the bottle when people are squashed close to you. Don't leave your drink when you go to the bathroom unless your buddy is watching it. Don't accept drinks unless you've seen them opened/poured in front of you, or unless you really trust the giver. Keep an eye on the colour of your drink - many drugs you might be spiked with contain dye, so it's best to choose beer or a light coloured drink. Don't think that guys don't get spiked, because I've seen it happen - I saw a guy get spiked and then lose part of his face in a drugged-up fight, and I've heard about guys being drugged and then sodomized in the restroom.

 

Take a credit card or something with you in case of emergencies, even if you think you won't need it. Put aside the cash for your cab home at the beginning of the night and don't spend it.

 

Make a pact with your buddy that you'll look after each other, and won't let the other one do anything stupid or something you might regret, such as going home with a stranger when drunk. This is the deal: You both set your boundaries at the beginning of the night when you're sober, and you make sure the other one sticks to it. You ALWAYS make sure your buddy comes home with you (this is obviously more important for girls).