Written by: Sophia-Ines Klein and Jennifer Lau
Illusatration by: Paavas Bansal
We’re already inching into mid-October and the school year is back in full swing in its typical fashion: Ministry on Tuesday, Sway every Wednesday, and maybe even a cheeky Saturday at the new Bario Boom Boom if you’re feeling it. We’re all used to the ‘hustle’ of university partying, but do we have the manners to match? Sure it’s not all that deep…But the question remains: Is the club the place where we let go of all fluffy pleasantries, or is there still an etiquette to hold ourselves to? If you ask us, there are certain standards of decency to uphold. But where do we draw the line between club culture and etiquette?
We’ve all been there – the lingering stares, the ‘will they, won’t they’ moments, the heat flushing your cheeks at the hint of something new. But what if you’re not interested? The prolonged stares can quickly become uncomfortable. As this situation is way more familiar than we’d want to admit, we urge you to pay attention to body language when approaching someone. If eye contact isn’t reciprocated, take the hint and move on. Clubbing should be a fun, carefree experience. You don’t want your night of endless dancing interrupted by an escape off the dance floor to oust unwanted attention.
Elbows in your back, getting pushed left and right, the dance floor can feel like the greatest invasion of our personal space, but it’s all part of the fun, right? No, not always. As you venture onto the dance floor, don’t employ the typical ‘bull-charge through the crowd’ method. It’s not nice for you, or anyone around you. Once you’ve found your anchor on the dance floor, avoid the elbow game where you’re digging your arm into someone else’s side to try to preserve your treasured corner of the club. If things are getting a little tight, there’s no need to kick up a fuss, move onto a different dance move and keep the energy up. No one likes someone angry, standing motionless looking like they don’t want to be there. After all, we’re all doing our part to get the energy going.
Clubbing in London is another ballpark in itself. Whether it is a Mayfair club or a casual night out at Sway, you’ll find that the clubbing scene in London is as vibrant as it is diverse, with something for everyone. Depending on your mood, you could be in white trainers sweltering in a student night club on one night or in strappy heels with a cocktail on another.
Navigating London’s clubbing scene means knowing where to go based on how you feel. You don’t want to pressure yourself at a high-energy venue when you are looking for a more relaxed atmosphere. Honing clubbing culture is all about establishing that intention before heading out. And just remember, knowing when to leave is just as important as going to the club in the first place (we personally like leaving when the night’s at its peak at 1-2am). Understand your limits and don’t push it—there’s always next week.
So forget about your 9 am lecture—grab your friends, buy some Tesco spirits and wine, and take full advantage of London’s nightlife. Just remember to keep our guide in your back pocket to ensure a fun night out.
