CLUB ETIQUETTE PART 2: INSIDE

How to have a good time, *respectfully*.

You know how, before traveling to a foreign country, you do a little research to find out the cultural norms/customs so you can act accordingly? Or how, before you meet your partner’s family, you might ask them, “should I address your parents by their first names or Mr/Mrs…?” Well, duh! You wanna make a good first impression, and you definitely don’t wanna be rude or disrespectful in someone else’s home.

It’s harder to do this when you’re entering a niche space where the rules might not be as clear or researchable…like when you go to a nightclub. And yes, as silly as it may sound, clubs have cultures (and rules).

Historically, club culture has been known to be pretty sleazy, and even dangerous—especially for women. I think this is changing, largely because there are more women running these types of establishments who’ve flipped the script on what’s acceptable and are cracking down on the misogynistic behaviors that have made clubs less fun and more unsafe. Also, society in general has become less blatantly sexist.

Regardless, club culture is not the same as it was even ten years ago. Some of that sexism prevails—in any space with young, drunk women, you will unfortunately find predators lurking about—but the consciousness is there. I think it’s easier now for women to go out and have fun without as much risk, which is great—and we mostly have the staff to thank for that.

That said, working in a club can be a pretty thankless job, and somehow the staff seem to have gotten the short end of the stick in this whole club cultural revolution. People are pretty disrespectful to club employees (and to other patrons), and I think it’s often on accident.

I want people to go out and have fun and feel safe doing so, and to also do so respectfully. It’ll make everyone’s fun night out more fun. We love that! I asked a few of my friends who work at some of NYC’s ~hottest spots~ what they would want people who go to a club to know. Their answers are below, along with a few of my own additions.

XOXO

From me:

1. Only go out if you have enough money to take an Uber home at the end of the night (or a group to travel home with).

2. A free drink is never worth putting yourself in an uncomfortable situation.

3. If you’re at a promoter table, don’t act like you’re a paying client. Don’t ask the waitress to get you special (free) drinks—they work on tips, which you aren’t paying them, and they have a million other things to do.

4. If you run into an acquaintance, now is not the time to catch up. Don’t hold someone who you didn’t go out with hostage in a conversation when neither of you can hear each other anyway.

5. Bring gum/mints, especially if you plan to be close talking to someone. That halitosis is hittin’.

6. Be aware of people trying to walk through the crowd/dance floor. Just bop three inches to your left and let them through.

7. Keep track of your own stuff or pay for coatcheck.

From a host:

1. Don’t blend over into other peoples spaces.

2. Don’t drink other people’s alcohol.