So you’ve just moved into town, and you want to know what the nightlife in the Big Apple has to offer you. Well, you’re in luck, because the answer is a lot. If you are a college student in New York City, you have exactly what nightclub promoters and owners are looking for, and that is youth. The truth is that the nightlife industry uses you to expand their business; you provide the image that will attract the rest of New York to their clubs, because let’s face it: what thirty year-old businessman would buy a forty year-old woman a drink when he could treat a nineteen year-old undergrad instead?
Ironically, the very people nightclub owners want in their venues are the people they are not allowed to let in by law. The key is to arrive at a middle ground between you and the bouncer. From my experiences with bars and clubs, if bouncers want to let you in, they will, so be prepared and don’t give them any reason to not want to let you in. Described below is all the information you need to have an unforgettable night on the town:
1. Get an I.D.:
The first thing you need is to get an I.D. that says you are 21. The best type of I.D. to get is a real one, such as one belonging to an older sibling. If this is not an option for you, the best way to get a good I.D. is to talk to people who already had fake I.D.’s made and have them refer you; this way, you have a good idea about what you’re getting before you pay.
Many students may boast about their “near-perfect” I.D.’s, but anyone will tell you that no ID is completely foolproof. Whether you’re using a $120 I.D. or a $40 one, be smart about where you use it; although you have a better chance of getting in with the $120 I.D., losing a better quality I.D. comes at a greater cost to you. Always be aware of what is happening at the front of the line. Notice who the bouncer is letting in, and who he is kicking out. If three gorgeous girls from your physics recitation are getting their I.D.s taken away, things don’t look so good for you.
The type of I.D. you need also depends on where you would like to go. For slightly smaller bars and lounges, any I.D. that says you are 21 will suffice given that the bouncer wants to let you in. (This will depend on your timing, company, and connections, as listed below.) At bigger clubs, many bouncers use scanners, in which case your I.D. card must be scannable. I.D.s that are scannable typically cost more; you should be prepared to pay at least about $100. However, if you’re not looking to buy alcohol you can usually get into dance clubs with just a 18 I.D.
2. Know Your I.D.:
Bouncers may test you on your knowledge of the information on your I.D. if they question its veracity. Some key things to remember are:
– the zip code on the I.D.
– your horoscope sign according to the I.D.
– your graduation year according to the I.D.
– a town nearby the one listed on the ID.
2. Sex and Quantity: For girls, less is more. For guys, try to go with as many girls as you can.
If you are a girl, it’s better for you to go with few girls, because if the bar is crowded, bouncers are more likely to let in groups of two or three than groups of six or seven–even if you are all girls. If you’re a guy trying to enter a crowded club, you’d better have a lot of good-looking girls with you–the more the better–because they are the ones the nightclub owners know will attract business. No offense to you.
3. Timing:
To ensure admittance to a club, your best bet is go to go at around 11:00 (if not earlier) or after 1:30. 11-1:00 are peak party hours in Manhattan.
4. Make Connections:
Keep an eye out in bars and clubs for club promoters. They can usually be spotted at tables surrounded by people and pouring drinks for everyone while socializing. Promoters will put you on their guest and “comp” you (get you in for free) if you go to their events and say their name at the door. Also, the best way to avoid I.D. problems is to walk in with a promoter. If you are friendly enough with a bouncer and have trouble getting into a club, he or she will most likely come out and talk to the bouncer for you.
Many promoters may also advertise their parties (where they are going to be each night, the perks, etc.) because they get paid based on how many people they bring to the venue. Therefore, they want you there as much as you want to be there. Check online sites such as www.incollege.com or www.promony.com for events beforehand and get you and your friends on their waitlist. Join Facebook and Myspace groups that will alert you about special promotions and events. Start entering the names and numbers of promoters into your phone, so that when one person falls through (promoters are not known for being the most reliable people on earth), you have someone else to call.
More tips:
1. Do not show up drunk. Bouncers do not take intoxication lightly and will throw you out of line. No one wants a potential drunken fight inside an upscale club.
2. Leave your expensive Gucci clutch or Louis Vuitton purse at home. I’ve seen too many cases of drunken girls losing their six-hundred dollar wallets in a bar or the back of a taxi after an intense night of partying.
3. For girls: Unless you are taking a taxi, never go to a club alone or leave without someone by your side. And I’m not talking about that fifty-six year old bachelor who kept trying to buy you drinks at the bar.
4. Use the coat check! In the middle of winter, it’s just not safe to go out in a tiny slip of a dress. Coat checks are generally safe, and only cost about three dollars. Do not leave your coat unattended in a bar, unless you are prepared to lose it.
