Student Special: Navigating Nights Out in College

Let’s face it, nights out can be a massive part of student life. Whether you’re headed for Harcourt Street, the Spanish Arch or having a midweek pint at the local, Ireland’s nightlife is full of craic. But while fun is important, so is staying safe.

So, here’s a guide to navigating your nights out:

Street smarts 101

First rule: stick with your group and make sure your phone is charged, and your location has been shared with those you trust. You don’t want to be that person whose phone dies at 1am. Zip up your valuables and don’t flaunt your phone or wallet. If something feels off, trust your gut. Leaving is always better than regretting.

Your drink, your rules

Never accept a drink you didn’t see being poured or opened. Spiking can happen, so make sure never to leave your drink unattended. You should always make sure someone you trust keeps an eye on it.

Signs that your drink might be spiked can be a cloudy appearance, strange taste, sinking ice, sudden fizz, or a weird colour. If you think your drink has been spiked, tell the bar staff, and make sure the drink doesn’t get poured out, as this can be used as proof if spiked.

There are discreet spiking test kits available in pharmacies. The CYD (check your drink) strips can detect GHB and ketamine. Also, look out for others by being an active bystander – if you see something dodgy, step in (if safe to do so) or get help.

On another note: hydration is key. A glass of water between drinks (to sound like an Irish mammy) keeps things under control and helps massively with minimising hangovers.

The dreaded trek home

When the night ends, whatever unruly time that may be, getting home can sometimes be a nightmare when there are flocks of students all cramming onto buses and flagging down taxis.

It can be a good idea to plan your way home before the night begins, but let’s be honest, most of us won’t be that organised. The best tip I can give is to hit a a food spot of one kind or another if the streets are chaotic, and wait for things to quiet down a bit.

If you find yourself in trouble, there are safe spaces available in the big cities. Dublin’s Night Help Zones offer late-night support, phone charging and a safe place to wait for a lift. It was trialled earlier this year on Camden Street with a support van staffed with trained help, including medics, welfare officers and security personnel.

photo: dublinbus.ie

And for international students...

It’s no harm for international students unfamiliar with Irish pub culture to know the lingo. Many people opt for the ‘rounds’ system when ordering drinks, instead of ordering solo. It’s a simple idea: you buy one round of drinks, your mate buys the next, and so on, until everyone in the group has paid for one (not a great idea of there’s ten of you!). The system can work flawlessly, but sometimes one person may ‘miss’ a round, accidentally or not.

Also, you may be used to later closing times across Europe, but most late-night venues here close at 2-3 am. So, this usually leads to an “afters” (aka heading to someone’s house post-nightout). Pre-drinking (prinks) is also a big thing among students, and again it’s best to pace yourself!

On a final note, not every night out needs to be a full-blown club marathon. Laid-back bars and classic old-man pubs are just as much fun, and can sometimes be even better craic. So don’t be afraid to go out and make memories – but make sure to keep an eye on your pals…

Read the full Student Special in the current issue of Hot Press – in shops now, and available to order online below: