New York Nights: The Year in Review

Over the past year, New York Nights has offered a unique perspective on the issues that affect the culture and business of nightlife. I’m looking forward to offering you more insight and information in 2009 but if you’ve missed any of our weekly features, don’t worry. I’ve provided links to all of them below.

Let me know what you think; what you want to know more about, where you think nightlife is going in the New Year and what you enjoy about NYN. Thank you for all your support and have a great year.

The New York Nights Weekly Recap for March 28, 2008
The New York Nights Weekly Recap for April 4, 2008
The New York Nights Poll: How has the Smoking Ban Affected You?
The New York Nights Weekly Recap for April 11, 2008
The New York Nights Weekly Recap for April 18, 2008
Last Call: A New York Nights Special Report for April 25, 2008
The NYN Weekly Recap for May 2, 2008
The NYN Weekly Recap for May 9, 2008
The New York Nights Insider for May 23, 2008
The New York Nights Insider for May 30, 2008
The New York Nights Insider for June 6, 2008
The New York Nights Insider for June 13, 2008
The New York Nights Insider for June 20, 2008
New York Nights Insider: The Pride Issue
The New York Nights Insider: The Independence Issue
The New York Nights Insider: The Alternative Venue Issue
New York Nights Insider: The Turning Point Issue
New York Nights Insider: The Mid Summer Issue
New York Nights Insider: The Liquor and Sex Issue
NYN Insider: The Down Market Issue
New York Nights Insider: The Image Issue
The NYN Insider: The Common Sense Issue
The New York Nights Insider: The Outside Influence Issue
New York Nights Insider: The End of Summer Issue
NYN Insider: The Down Side Issue \
NYN Insider: The Economy Issue
NYN Insider: The Sub Culture Issue
NYN Insider: The Controversy Issue
NYN Insider: The Woman’ Issue
NYN Insider: The Food and Wine Issue
NYN Insider: The Future Issue
NYN Insider: The Experience Issue (with Election Update!)
NYN Insider: The Crime Issue
NYN Insider: The Election Holiday Issue
NYN Insider: The Music and Fashion Issue
NYN Insider: The Culture Issue
NYN Insider: The Perception Issue

Have fun
Gamal

13 Tips for a Good Club Night

By Gamal Hennessy

Every social situation has a set of guidelines to help things run smoothly. The dinner table, the classroom, the office and the locker room inside the gym each has its own customs to keep people from throwing food around, throwing a tantrum or crossing swords. People who know these rules often get ahead, even if they don’t always follow them. People who don’t know the rules often suffer. The nightclub is no different than any other social environment, there’s a certain way to do things. Common sense will make most of these rules obvious, but common sense isn’t that common so read this just to make sure…

Keep in mind that this advice can be used by anyone, but it is focused toward men, because I have don’t have the experience to know the nuances of female clubbing and I didn’t have time before this piece was due to ask them (I’m sure it will be a follow up article).

Before you hit the club, it pays to be prepared:
1. Decide where you’re going and have a couple of back up plans.
2. Find out how you need to dress to get in and respond accordingly.
3. Figure out how you’re getting in whether it’s reservations, connections or just standing in line.
4. Don’t travel with people who are going to sabotage your fun, unless its part of your hustle.
5. Decide if you’re buying bottle service (and who is paying for it) before you get there. This might not be the time to make a $1,000 decision.
6. When you get there be nice to the bouncer whether you are on the list, ordered bottle service or just standing on line. Giving them a hard time won’t get you in faster. It could ruin your night.

Once you’re inside the main goal is having fun. Just remember these simple tips:
7. You can have a good time without giving the club staff a hard time. It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.
8. Unless your express goal is getting a hangover, it is always wise to drink and do something else (dance, flirt, eat, talk, whatever)
9. The key to meeting people is helping them feel good about themselves while you’re around, not using them to help you feel better about yourself.
10. You don’t have to get drunk just because you drink.

When its time to go there are a few things you can do to cap off a good night.
11. If you can catch the attention of the staff that served you, thank them on the way out. They don’t get much of that and some of them will remember you if you come back.
12. If you leave with your people, make sure everyone gets to their chosen transportation. Put ladies in cabs before you jump into one.
13. Before you pass out on the short road to hangover, try to make sure your people actually got home. New York is safer than it has been in decades, but it shows you care. Ask them for a quick ‘I’m alive’ text when they get in the door. This is especially true of your female company even if you just met them (it’s also a good way to confirm her phone number is real, but that’s beside the point).

Now that you have tips on nightlife behavior, you can have a good time without crossing swords.

Have Fun.
Gamal