A millennial has shared why she goes clubbing alone without her boyfriend or friends and she doesn’t care if people find it odd.
Georgiana from London first discovered solo raving during a university year abroad in Russia in 2016.
On a quest to make friends and improve her language skills, the then-student went to a DJ rooftop set by herself and enjoyed it so much, that she’s continued ever since.
The 29-year-old now regularly attends events alone, sharing solo clubbing adventures with her 387,000 followers on TikTok (@hrhgeorgiana), and says it’s a must for all twenty-somethings to try.
“It’s liberating, super rewarding and bizarrely staves off social anxiety,” Georgiana, an assistant producer, told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
READ MORE: TikTok influencer duo aged over 60 hit back at trolls who say they should ‘grow up’
“It boosts confidence like nothing else and makes other challenging aspects of life feel more manageable.
“The first hour is always intimidating but once you’ve made new friends or have become comfortable in the club, you experience fun on a whole new level.
“When I go solo clubbing now, I still get a slight feeling of nerves whilst in the queue, but once I’m inside the club and I’ve had a drink, the nerves slip away and I fully immerse myself in what the night throws at me!”
Georgiana says a few of her friends have followed suit too, joining the solo clubbing hype.
She said: “A few men on social media get quite upset that I go solo clubbing without my boyfriend, but we’ve read some of the ridiculous comments together and had a good laugh!
“What I love is that there are always a few women who leap to my defence after an angry comment, and it’s lovely to see girls supporting one another!
“The events I go to (techno, house) tend to be filled with very friendly people who are there for the music, so unwanted interactions are quite limited.
“I’ve (touch wood) never had any really bad experiences, and one withering glare is often enough to make unwanted attention go away!
“I’ll either employ that method or go up to someone dancing nearby and ask them if they could shield me from a creeper, which they’re happy enough to do.”
A typical solo night on the town for Georgiana consists of a few crucial steps.
Firstly, she settles on her outfit, which includes a few non-negotiable items: a bum bag, sunglasses and a battery pack.
She said: “I usually choose comfortable, athletic clothing – black leggings, black (or bright red/pink) t-shirt, black trainers with a thick sole (gotta protect your knees when you’re dancing as much as I am) and an oversized hoodie is my signature look.”
Georgiana then has a few drinks by herself before heading off to the club within an hour of its opening, so she’s not stuck in queues.
She said: “The rest of the night consists of me oscillating between the bar and the dance floor.
“I tend to make friends – either loosely (dancing together at a distance, fetching each other drinks, minimal talking) or firmly (enmeshing myself in a group and sticking together like we’ve known each other for years.
“My former favourite method of making friends is going to the smoking area, asking for a lighter, gauging their interest in adding a stranger into their group for the night and finding commonalities
“I no longer smoke so this is not a viable option but when I did, the friend-making success rate was phenomenal.”
To keep herself safe when she’s out alone, Georgiana ensures that she tells her friends where she’s going out, when she’s in the club and what time she leaves – all while remaining sober enough to be in control.
She added: “I think my mother has concerns for my safety (she wouldn’t be my mother if she didn’t!) but a few of my friends go solo clubbing too and they hugely enjoy it.
”For anyone considering it, I recommend just having fun and don’t stress out, you can always leave if you’re not enjoying it.
“You don’t need to worry about anyone’s fun, but your own.”
READ MORE: YouTuber presumed dead after falling overboard on Neymar’s party cruise ship
