Honestly, it feels a little weird and uncomfortable trying to navigate nightlife when you’re doing it solar. Well, in general, solo travel can feel a little awkward, but the nightlife is especially where it just feels weird. But why is that, though? Well, going out at night is usually a friend’s thing, or a date thing, or at least a “meet up with someone” thing.
Even locals who go out alone still have that invisible safety net, because there’s always a chance they’ll see someone they know, even if it’s just the bartender who recognises them. When travelling solo, none of that exists.
Basically, everyone’s a stranger, and it can feel awkward sitting by yourself like you accidentally showed up to someone else’s party. And well, that’s just awkward, right? But with all of that said here, that stranger part is also the best part. No, really, think about it; everyone is a stranger, and they’ll stay a stranger. There’s no pressure to be impressive, no social expectations, no running into someone later and having to do the whole “Oh, hey, remember me” thing. It’s a one-night-only version of life, and yeah, actually kind of freeing.
Stop Picking Places that Make Solo Feel Like a Crime
Okay, maybe the word “crime” is overkill here, but you get the idea. Basically, there are some places that will flat out just make you feel awkward, like a restaurant (well, depending on the type), a movie theater, a Broadway show, a concert, those sorts of examples. But yeah, these places, and others, make solo feel normal, and some places make it feel like you’re holding up a neon sign that says “ALONE.” A loud club with groups packed shoulder to shoulder can be fun, but it’s not always the easiest place to start solo, because it can feel like everyone arrived together and you somehow just end up there, and it’s weird.
Bars aren’t that bad, especially if you’re sitting right at the bar itself, because then the bartender might keep you company, or maybe someone sitting at the bar can (and most solo people sit there rather than at the tables anyway).
Just Give the Night a Loose Plan
Well, a lot of the awkwardness comes from the in-between moments. Like walking around, not sure where to go next, checking maps too often, trying to look casual while also being like, when you just feel out of place. It’s fine to be spontaneous, like if you look up a strip club near me open now or a cafe or lounge to sit at, but in general, you don’t want to have things up in the air. With friends that’s fine, but since you’re solo, you want to fight the akwwardness and if you have a plan, then it makes you want to focus on keeping that structure.
Have a Few Default Lines Ready
Okay, this sounds silly, but it’s so helpful. Being solo gets easier when there are a couple of default responses ready, so you’re not caught off guard. If someone asks, “Who are you here with?” a calm “Just travelling” is enough. Well, most people aren’t going to ask who you’re with, but you never know. But no, no explanation needed. If a bartender chats, chat back a bit. If they don’t, that’s fine too. Nobody is owed conversation, and nobody needs to perform social confidence all night like it’s a job or whatever.
Also, using the phone is fine, sure, sometimes that makes people seem more awkward, but usually people around you probably won’t care or even notice, but of course it depends on where you are, because some people don’t like seeing phones out in nightclubs, for example, but bars are usually fine.
