The Night Clubbing Preparation Checklist
The nightclub preparation checklist: What to do before going out. Clubbing preparation advice.
By Randall Stephens | December 17th, 2005As my friends can attest, I love the clubbing and party scene. The eye candy, dancing, drinking, and hooking up are just a few of the wonderful joys of going out and cutting loose. I am happy to say that I’ve partied across the globe (US, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Greece, Italy, and beyond… mostly on a budget!) and I figured that it’s about time I wrote about preparing for partying.
The truth is that if you go clubbing frequently, preparation becomes second nature and really minimal. In fact, I can’t stand it when someone who rarely parties is invited out. The night becomes a giant ordeal because it’s the individual’s one night of craziness that will be burned into their memory as they grow older and falsely exclaim “yeah, I partied bigtime back in the day!”
Clubbing and Everyday People
After having engaged in heavy partying, I can say that when partying, you tend to encounter people from all walks of life who just happen to have a bit more spirit in them (or really wanna get some booze and some action!). That said, you are likely to encounter everyday people who lack everything from hygiene to common sense. So here is a list of ideas to help you and those around you in the clubbing scene. Use it as a guide or a nightclub checklist.
Understanding the Clubscene
If it’s one thing I hate, it’s when people get rejected from clubs for stupid reasons. For the longest time I took it for granted that few people really knew about the club scene. Alas, it’s true, many people just don’t get it. You can read about how to behave in a nightclub but I realized that a reference guide was needed for people who need some quick advice.
Tips for BEFORE You Go Clubbing:
Keep these in mind. Trust me, these are based on experience!
- Wear the right clothes. You have no idea how many times I have heard of people (usually guys) not getting into clubs because they were wearing the wrong shoes. Classy night clubs want to maintain a classy clientele. They do so by raising their standards slightly.
- Take a shower before you go out. I don’t care if you took one that morning, take another one!
- Wear deodorant and/or antiperspirant. I know, I know, this sounds obvious but guys who sweat a lot are usually clueless about what to do about it. One of the grossest things you can encounter on a dance floor is someone dancing like crazy and then stinking it up from sweating. Antiperspirant will soak up the sweat. I highly recommend spending more than a few bucks on this. Get designer antiperspirant like Ralph Lauren or Hugo Boss which will soak up the sweat and you will still smell great!
- Brush your teeth. I’m serious… some people just don’t get personal hygiene.
- Buy a pack of gum, breath mints, breath strips, or mint sprays to freshen your mouth.
- Put condoms in your pocket or jacket.
- Make sure you have large bills. Nightclubs are frequently loud, making it hard to hear a barmaid or bartender tell how much you owe for your drinks. It’s easier to just hand over a $20 bill and figure out how much you paid when you get your change. You may want to clarify it at that point.
- On a similar note, count your change. Some barmaids take advantage of drunken patrons by short-changing them. I know of clubs where barmaids at different bars within the same club charge different prices. That’s because they try to suck out an extra buck or two from unsuspecting clubbers.
- Charge your cell phone and make sure you have your fellow clubbers numbers in memory.
- Bring some business cards (or leave them at home!).
- Expect that a club will want an entrance fee paid in cash and have credit cards ready to order drinks.
More Clubbing Info
My nightlife experiences have taught me a lot about the clubscene and doing some of the basics can you take you a long way.
More Articles
Check out articles on nightclub etiquette and behavior, the anti-hangover pill, the review of Ibiza Spain, and the nightclub directory.
I read what you wrote about clubbing it defiantly a big help for me. Because I don’t have a whole lot of experience or understanding about going out clubbing. I just started going out clubbing this year because of friends I met at work. We all work on graveyard shift with a bunch of other guys so we don’t have a social life. I’m going to admit I’m pretty shy talking to women. I took in account on every thing you said. Thanks
Peter
January 13, 2010 at 1:27 am
Some really good advice on here, especially the part about wearing the right gear. Me and my friends have been rejected a few times for wearing the wrong gear.
May 1, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Some really good advice and tips on here especially about the large bills.
May 4, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Most clubs will be dazzling you with many different kinds of lights. Most common is probably the black light. Ever had a black light in your room and noticed that your black comforter on your bed has an incredible amount of lint on it? Or how about that bleach stain on your carpet? Same rules apply to the club. If you wear jeans, make sure you or someone else didnt wash your jeans and spilt a lil bleach on them. Nothing more embarrassing than looking like youve got fun glowing stains on your jeans. If you decide to go with a solid dark shirt, I usually ONLY wear brand new dark shirts to the clubs. Even though your drier has a lint catch, tons still get on your darks! Plan accordingly. My buddy had a filling on one of his front teath, in the black light it was a different shade than his regular teeth.
I personally dont recommend a solid dark shirt to the club. I usually go with a full button up shirt perhaps with some vertical strips. I’ve never seen horizontal stripes look good on anyone, anywhere.
Only things in your pockets as you walk into the club; Wallet, gum, cell, a condom if you came in your buddys’ car, and your keys if you came in yours. You will look goofy and hold people up as you try to pick up all your loose change and whatever else you can fit in your pockets.
I personally like to wear some dumb slippers a gf gave me a couple years ago. But I always bring a back up pair of classy shoes. My slippers always get me attention but can sometimes stop me from getting in even if I did the week before.
If you are looking at a girl for a second or a minute, If she happens to look over at you and make eye contact, DO NOT LOOK AWAY. Dont try to find her soul, but make it a point to not look scared that she caught you lookin.
Try to wear a short sleeve shirt. There is a ton of people packed in that building all breathing the same air. Its gonna get hot and you will appreciate the extra ventilation.
You wont hear every word, you wont hear most words sometimes. Do your best to listen if you are talking to a girl. I dont care if she is talking about her 11 cats at home and how one helped her pick out the panties she is wearing. If you want a chance, you need to ask her questions. If you go out dancing, NOBODY IS WATCHING YOU. Even her! No matter your style of dancing, OWN IT! If it turns her on, GREAT. If it makes her laugh, GREAT. Pace yourself, you dont want to waste all your energy in the first song and all you have to drink is alcohol. Its funny to see drunk people at the club. Some are oblivious, some are silly, some are angry, most are too drunk. Remember that everyone is human. If that chic is hot and somehow you got all of her attention BUT she is so drunk her eyes are barely open, get her a water and make sure she has a safe way home.
Go with a group of people just like you. Not people you are trying to fit in with.
I cant think of anything else right now. I havent been to a club in 4 maybe 5 years but Im bout to head out to one right now to meet up with a bunch of old old friends. I havent seen most of them in years and I’m going in by myself. Where the hell did all my club clothes go!
July 17, 2010 at 11:16 pm