Why write a blog about clubbing? You might ask, well you see when I first decided that I wanted to blog I was having problems deciding what to write about, so I asked a close friend of mine to pick a random subject and then I would use that as my first article. Unfortunately she picked fashion, now I’m not without a fashion sense but I certainly didn’t know enough about it that I could write anything informative or halfway entertaining about the matter. I mean I could have tried but who wants to read a 900 word blog about plaid patterned shirts and brown pointy shoes (if you knew me you would understand what I meant). So I asked her to pick another one and this time a subject I knew something about so she picked clubbing, and with a straight face I nodded my head approvingly and declared in a reassuring voice….”I can do that.”
Granville St. Vancouver
The nightlife in Vancouver is a lively one, you could find a club, bar or lounge of all shapes and sizes that will cater to most any individual, from the mundane and tamed all the way up to those crazy people who you try not to sit beside on the night bus, because you know they’ve only rented the alcohol in their bodies. Of course no one sets out to get so drunk that they up-chuck the kitchen sink, but there’s just something about being in a dark room, surrounded by happy people and deafening music that turns off that little switch in your head labeled ‘inhibition’.
Now I can only describe my experiences and those of my…..let’s call them friends……so this is, of course, by no means a standard guideline to be used in the event you decide to take up this lifestyle. Contrary to popular beliefs the night does not start when you walk into the club, it actually begins at home while getting ready. Everybody has their own pre-partying rituals and no, not everyone walks around the house screaming “its T-Shirt TIME!” Mine was usually sipping on beer and fielding calls from people confirming time, location, exit strategy etc.
First things first….attire….everyone has their own style and that’s great but at least try and take weather/location into consideration. I’ve seen women in the middle of winter wearing short skirts literally shaking in the cold. They may look good but you can’t help but feel they might be trying a little too hard. Guys, please try and avoid white shoes/ties unless it is the dress code for an event, otherwise you look like you got taken advantage of by the sales person at Le Chateau.
Now after you’ve transformed yourself from beast to beauty it is time to head out into the night, but make sure you have the necessary supplies/contingency plans before walking out. Here is a short, and by no means exhaustive, list of things you should carry or prepare pre-departure:
- Wallet/Purse - unless you have some wealthy friends that is willing to cover you all night then you might want to have some moola with you to perpetuate your bad habits.
- House Keys - there’s nothing worst than coming home wasted at 4am and realizing you can’t get in your house, and chances are the friends that you usually call for help in a situation like this is having the same problem right down the road.
- Phone - don’t ever assume that you can get through the night without using your phone, clubs are big, loud and crowded places. Loose your friends and you could spend the rest of the night looking for them. They are also very helpful for calling cabs and saving phone numbers, if you know what I mean? *nudge nudge*
- Exit Strategy - so you’re all partied out and most likely have depleted your booze allowance, what now? Well if you are like 90% of clubbers, are you will be going home alone again (aww brings back memories)….which is why you should plan a way back to your cave. If you’re planning to drive home at this point….please stop reading cause you’re an idiot and I don’t want you associated with my B
Take a taxi (if you can flag one down in Vancouver)
log. According to a recent article published in articlebase.com 42 people die of drinking and driving everyday in North America! So hail a cab or better yet hangout at the Denny’s until the trains and buses are running again, (Warning: eating at Denny’s every weekend may or may not be more dangerous than drinking and driving).
Now it’s time to dance right? Wrong! Drinks in the clubs are very expensive so most people feel the need to pre-drink beforehand. For me and my friends this is a must and I can’t tell you how much money I have saved by doing this. This could mean the difference between an awesome time or one where you are standing around looking at everyone, feeling really left out because you are still lucid. So I would recommend picking someone’s house/apartment (closer to the club the better) to stop by and chug your Mike’s Hard Lemonade. Just make sure you take it easy on the libation at this time, you don’t want to over do it and not make it out the door. Remember that party’s out there not in here! Now you look good and feel even better, it’s time to head down to the club and show everyone your slick dance moves.
Although I’ve passed (and survived) my clubbing phase I do miss the scene, thankfully I’ll have the memories of all those fun, stupid and often embarrassing times forever seared into my mind. So whether you are a veteran partier or just starting out please remember that it’s not the alcohol or the clothes, it’s not the music or the dancing….it’s the company you take along that makes a great night.
