Top 5 Safety Tips For Going Out To Bars & Nightclubs

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By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Nightlife Blogger

Going out to bars and nightclubs – pubs and clubs, if you will – is a fun endeavor. Otherwise it would not be such a popular activity.

It is one activity where people from all walks of life gather together for a common cause: to party!

And while 99.99% of the time it’s safe, there is always the possibility that some things can turn from euphoric to ugly. To try and keep the latter from happening, PubClub.com here provides our top 5 safety tips for going out to bars and nightclubs.

1.) Watch Out For Your Friends And Have Them Do The Same For You

Call it the buddy system. Make sure your friends are okay, that they don’t get too drunk or help them home if they do, or at least encourage them to drink water to try and sober up a bit.

If a friend is suddenly surrounded by what looks like troublemakers, step in and help. Come to a friend’s assistance if they are being harassed. If you have to leave to avoid an incident do it and if you think the people are indeed looking for trouble or bothering other people, tell the bartender, waitress or security.

2.) Don’t Wear Baggy Clothes And Keep Your Phone, Wallet & Keys In Your Front Pockets

Pickpockets are usually not a problem but they can be in some places, especially tourist spots. I once got my wallet lifted by a sticky-fingered thief on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Fortunately, it somehow showed up in my mailbox a few days later with my driver’s license. But without my cash and I had to cancel my credit cards after being, well, out on Bourbon Street.

I have found it’s better to keep the wallet in a front pocket. I also now instinctily grab my wallet when someone bumps into me. This tactic saved me in Prague, a known haven for pickpockets. A friend and I rounded a corner and were met by two attractive girls. One girl grabbed my manhood, and my hand went immediately to my wallet, where I found the girl’s other hand.

Another tip is not to wear loose or baggy clothes because it’s more difficult to notice a missing wallet or even feel someone reaching into a pocket.

And girls, keep track of your purse at all times!

3.) Go Out In Groups

It’s an old saying but it’s true: there is safety in numbers.

4.) Keep Your Drinks Next To You At All Times

This applies mostly to girls but don’t ever leave your drink sitting on the bar or table, even if you go to dance. Have a friend watch it for you or take it with you (which admittedly is a bit awkward and  hard to do when you’re dancing, but you get the idea). If the bar is not too busy, the bartender will keep an eye on it but you can’t count on that always being the case.

5.) Be Aware Of Those Around You And Expect The Unexpected

A legendary football coach would always tell his players before a game to “expect the unexpected.” You never know when there will be a fumble, a tipped pass or some other incident that could decide the game and you need to be ready for it.

The same applies when going out to bars and nightclubs.  No matter how much you have to drink or how much fun you are having, always be aware of your surroundings. Is the crowd changing? Is it getting more angry, are people suddenly moving around me and our group? Is some guy about to move in on the girl I’m talking to with a look that shows he means business?

If so, pay the bill and get the heck out of there. If there’s trouble brewing, it’s far better to read or hear about it the next day than it is to be caught up in it.

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