After a stress-filled week at work, hanging out with friends at a bar on the weekend would be nice. But if your friends have their own things and are too busy to go with you, it’s fine to go ahead with your plans and have fun yourself.
And before you start thinking that it’s weird to be in a club all by yourself, you can rest assured that it’s not. There are benefits to going out alone, such as not having to look for people who get lost in the queue, no need to wait for people or end the night early because of your friends, and not having to get dragged outside for smoke breaks.
On the positive side, you get to spend the night on your own terms, have a chance to talk to more strangers and maybe even make new friends, or dance your heart out on the dance floor. You may even find it liberating and find out more about yourself in the process. Here are a few tips to make sure that you can still have fun even on your own when going to a club:
1. Look For An Activity You Like
When going out by yourself, it’s better to have a destination in mind to ensure you won’t get bored, even if you don’t find anyone to talk to during the night. Do your research beforehand and pick a club that offers some kind of entertainment, such as a live band or a comedy show.
This can give you a reason for being there alone – not that you need to have one, but this can be a good conversation starter. You also have a higher chance of meeting like-minded people in the venue since they are not likely to be there unless they enjoy the same activity the club offers. Make sure to check if they have a dress code and other requirements so you can come prepared and that you dress to impress.
2. Choose Larger Venues
Bigger clubs may seem more imposing and intimidating, but they provide better anonymity, especially for someone on his own. Standing in a larger space and being surrounded by more people would make you feel less alone and less conscious of your behavior.
Even if you are standing all by yourself, there are lesser chances of anyone noticing because there are too many people around you. Meanwhile, more intimate venues like smaller bars and clubs may seem to provide a good ambiance for chatting up strangers, but the confined space also makes you stand out more.
3. Stay Off Your Phone And Mingle
Remember that your purpose for being here is to have fun and not to have a date with your phone. So even if you’re feeling awkward or self-conscious about being by yourself, resist the urge to keep scrolling on your phone and attempt to look busy. This will only make you look unapproachable and will discourage other people who might be interested in getting to know you.
Instead, keep yourself available, maintain a friendly expression, and be welcoming to people who try to approach you as long as they don’t appear dangerous or suspicious. You may also want to keep your options open and not stick to the first person you get to know so that you can meet more people as the night goes on.
4. Be Aware Of Your Surroundings
Safety is always important, and you must always be alert for any sign of danger since you have no one beside you whom you can trust. Don’t let yourself get too drunk that you lose awareness of where you are and what you are doing. Stay away from hostile situations, and get help from the bouncers or the police when an argument or a fight arises.
If you get injured, seek medical attention immediately and get clearance from the medical personnel before moving around. If the incident happened inside the club and you want to sue the management for negligent security, seek help from a legal counsel like SafetyRights.com to ensure that your rights will be properly protected and represented in the case.
5. Don’t Be Discouraged By A Bad Night
If the night doesn’t go as well as you planned, don’t lose hope. Just keep trying and keep yourself hyped up because it can only improve the second time. After all, you’ve already done it before, and now you already know what to expect.
You can also set some challenges for yourself, like how many people you should talk to next time or pledge to talk to the first person who smiles or nods at you. Don’t worry about explaining why you’re alone if anyone asks, and say that you fancied a night out or wanted a change of pace. You could also answer the question playfully and turn it into an interesting conversation.
