Wait… I can go clubbing now?

So as I mentioned in my blog post a few weeks ago, I have just turned 18! With this comes freedom, maturity and much more. For this post the “much more” I’m talking about is the delight of sweaty dance floors, deafening music and overpriced bleach flavored alcohols.

Rebecca Bourne, welcome to the world of nightclubbing!

Unlike most 17 year olds, I actually waited till my 18^th birthday to go clubbing. I’ve never been overly obsessed with the idea of clubbing, but it’s a rite of passage for every teen.

For me, going down to Broad Street for the first time was a great experience. I went with a great group of friends and my siblings on a Saturday night. Stepping out of the taxi was pretty overwhelming; I don’t think I’ve ever been in such a huge mass of people. As soon as your foot hits the floor you’re surrounded by promoters offering discounts and people trying to sell you stuff. Then there’s the long queue to get it and the awkward “thank you” when the bouncer wishes you a happy birthday. And if you went to Pryzm like me, once you are past the bouncers it’s time to go through something that I cannot describe as anything less than airport security. After spending about £11 at the bar, it was then time for me to proceed to spill my drink while attempting (I use the word attempting) to dance.

I know it’s cliché and immature and whatever to like clubbing, but I really enjoyed it. Dancing and singing with all my friends, no one caring how they look or who’s looking or not looking at them. After about two weeks of being 18 I’ve been out clubbing, a fair few times already, and let’s just say I’ve got a fair few blisters to prove it.

The last few things I’ve got to say about clubbing is my tips for staying safe on a night out:

• Take a portable charger – for when you lose your friends in the club.
• Party with male friends – It wards off unwanted attention.
• Don’t leave drinks on the side – It’s a dangerous environment.
• Have a taxi firm’s number in your phone – you always need a ride home.
• Wear a cross body strap bag – So you keep your bag all night.
• Have a meet point (a place in the club) – If anyone gets lost you meet here in case of emergency.
• Have a buddy system – There’s one person in the group that doesn’t leave your side all night even if the group splits up to make sure everyone’s safe.
• Put your parent’s numbers in your friend’s phone – If things get desperate.
• Don’t take cigarettes or drinks off strangers – You don’t know what’s in them.

So have fun in the clubs, you’ll probably see me there! – R.B