The Ultimate Safety Guide: How to Have Amazing (and Safe) Nights Out

Having an incredible night out and staying safe aren't mutually exclusive - they're essential partners. Here's your comprehensive guide to making the most of Glasgow and Dundee nightlife while looking after yourself and your mates.

This isn't about fear-mongering or killing the vibe. This is about being smart so you can have the best possible time.

Before You Leave Home

The Foundation

Charge Your Phone Always make sure your phone is fully charged before leaving. Dead phone = can't call for help, can't get taxi, can't contact friends.

Top Tips:

• 100% battery before you leave
• Bring a portable charger (seriously, game-changer)
• Take photos of your outfit (helps if you get separated and friends need to describe you)
• Screenshot your taxi booking apps in case you lose signal

Share Your Plans Let friends and close family know where you'll be at certain times. Not helicopter parenting - just smart planning.

Create a WhatsApp group with your night out crew and share:

• Which venues you're hitting
• Approximate timing
• Expected home time
• Address where you're starting (if pre-drinking)

Plan Your Journey Home BEFORE you leave. Not at 2:30am when you're three drinks deep and decision-making is impaired.

Options to consider:

• Licensed taxi company you've used before
• Night bus routes and times
• Friend/family pickup (arrange in advance)
• Walking route if you're close (but never alone)
• Budget - make sure you have money for safe transport

Money Management

The Cash Reserve Strategy

• Main night out cash in your wallet/purse
• Emergency £20 hidden separately (seriously, different pocket/shoe/bra)
• Contactless card for backup
• Never carry your entire student loan in cash

Realistic Budgeting For a typical Firewater night:

• Entry: £2-5
• Drinks: £15-25
• Taxi home: £5-10
• Post-club food: £5
• Total: £30-45

Having a budget stops you from:

• Overspending and regretting it
• Running out of taxi money
• Making poor decisions when drunk

Drink Safety: The Essentials

The Golden Rules

Never leave your drink unattended. Ever. Not even "just for a second."

What to do:

• Take it with you to the bathroom
• Ask a trusted friend to watch it
• If you left it, order a new one

Spiking: Know the Signs If you suspect your drink has been spiked:

1. Find a safe spot immediately
2. Tell your friends
3. Notify venue staff
4. Get water
5. Seek medical assistance if needed

Symptoms can include:

• Sudden extreme drunkenness
• Confusion or disorientation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of balance or consciousness

Prevention:

• Watch your drink being made
• Keep hand over your glass
• Don't accept drinks from strangers
• Buy your own drinks
• Use anti-spiking devices (available cheap online)

Pacing Yourself

The best nights aren't about getting hammered quickest:

The Smart Drinking Formula:

• 1 alcoholic drink
• 1 glass of water
• Repeat

Why it works:

• Stays hydrated
• Reduces hangover
• Maintains better decision-making
• Saves money
• You actually remember the good times

Know Your Limits Everyone's different. Some people can handle 5 drinks. Some people are done after 2. Know your own tolerance and respect it.

At the Venue: Firewater-Specific Tips

Arrival

Early Arrival Benefits:

• Cheaper entry (usually before 11pm)
• Less queueing
• Get your bearings before it's packed
• Grab good spots (those leather sofas go fast)

Queue Safety:

• Stick with your group
• Queue politely (bouncers remember faces)
• Have ID ready
• Don't argue with door staff

Inside the Venue

The Buddy System Always stay within a group when possible. There's safety in numbers.

Buddy system rules:

• Arrive together
• Check in regularly (every 30-60 mins)
• Leave together
• NEVER leave a friend behind

Know the Layout Firewater Glasgow:

• Upstairs: Leather sofas, chilled vibes
• Basement: Dance floor, peak energy
• Multiple exits (know where they are)

Firewater Dundee:

• Ground floor: Main bar
• Mezzanine: Views of the chaos
• Basement: Where it gets wild
• Three floors = more space to breathe

Emergency Exits First time at a venue? Clock the emergency exits. Hope you never need them, but know where they are.

The "Ask for Angela" Scheme

If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, ask for 'Angela' at the bar.

This is code for:

• "I need help"
• "I feel threatened"
• "Please get me out of this situation"

Staff are trained to:

• Remove you from the situation discreetly
• Call you a taxi
• Contact police if needed
• Keep you safe until help arrives

No judgment. No questions. Just help.

Dealing with Unwanted Attention

Setting Boundaries

You are NEVER obligated to:

• Dance with someone
• Give your number
• Accept a drink
• Continue a conversation
• Explain why you're not interested

Polite but Firm:

• "No thanks, I'm good"
• "I'm here with friends"
• "Not interested, but have a good night"

If They Persist:

• Tell venue staff
• Move to a different area
• Stay with your group
• Use the "Ask for Angela" scheme

When Friends Are Targeted

If you see someone making your friend uncomfortable:

• Interrupt: "Hey! I've been looking everywhere for you!"
• Extract: "We need to go to the bathroom NOW"
• Support: Stay with them, don't leave them alone
• Report: Tell venue staff if it's serious

Getting Home Safely

The Golden Hour: 2:30am-3:30am

This is when most venues close in Glasgow and Dundee. It's also the riskiest time because:

• Everyone's leaving at once
• Taxi queues are long
• People are drunk and vulnerable
• Street activity peaks

Smart Strategies:

Option 1: Leave Early Beat the rush by leaving at 2am. Easier taxis, quieter streets, you've still had a great night.

Option 2: Wait It Out If you can't get transport immediately:

• Stay inside the venue
• Wait in a well-lit, busy area
• Stay with your group
• Don't wander off looking for alternatives

Transport Safety

Licensed Taxis Only Glasgow and Dundee have licensed black cabs and reputable taxi firms:

• Look for: Official taxi plates and signage
• Pre-book: Use apps like Uber, Bolt, or local taxi companies
• Share: If taxi-sharing with strangers, stay alert

Police Scotland recommends:

• Use trusted taxi company you've used before
• Arrange friend/family pickup
• Never get in unlicensed vehicles
• Share your journey with friends (Uber/Bolt feature)

Night Buses Both cities have night bus services:

Glasgow:

• Multiple routes through Sauchiehall Street
• Well-lit stops
• Regular services Friday/Saturday

Dundee:

• Services from city centre
• Check timetables before going out
• Stay alert on late buses

Walking Home

If you must walk:

• NEVER walk alone
• Stick to main roads (better lit, more people)
• Stay alert (headphones out)
• Don't take shortcuts through dark areas
• Share your location with someone
• Keep phone charged and accessible

What NOT to do:

• Accept lifts from strangers
• Walk alone when drunk
• Take unlit shortcuts
• Separate from your group

The Post-Club Food Stop

Safe Options: Glasgow (Sauchiehall St area):

• Multiple takeaways open late
• McDonald's (24/7 weekends)
• Pizza places till 3am

Dundee (Ward Road/City Centre):

• Several late-night options
• Stay in groups
• Eat inside if possible

Food stop safety:

• Don't leave friends behind
• Keep belongings close
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Don't engage with aggressive people

Looking After Friends

When Friends Are Too Drunk

Signs they need help:

• Can't stand/walk properly
• Incoherent speech
• Vomiting repeatedly
• Unresponsive or semi-conscious
• Don't recognize you

What to do:

1. Get them safe: Sit them down, keep them upright
2. Water: Small sips if they're conscious
3. Medical help: Call 999 if seriously unwell
4. Get them home: Taxi, not walking
5. Don't leave them: Stay until they're safe

Alcohol poisoning is serious. If in doubt, get medical help.

The "No Friend Left Behind" Pact

Make a group agreement BEFORE going out:

• We arrive together
• We leave together
• We look after each other
• We don't abandon people

This includes:

• Friend who's too drunk
• Friend who pulled and wants to leave with someone
• Friend who's upset/crying
• Friend who "just wants to go home alone"

Their safety > your convenience. Always.

Special Scenarios

First Time at Firewater?

Do:

• Arrive with friends
• Start upstairs to get comfortable
• Ask staff if you have questions
• Keep track of your belongings
• Pace your drinking

Don't:

• Try to "keep up" with experienced drinkers
• Separate from your group
• Be too proud to ask for help
• Spend all your money in first hour

Going Out Solo?

Honestly? Don't. Always go with at least one friend.

But if you must:

• Tell someone where you are
• Check in regularly
• Stay extra alert
• Leave earlier than usual
• Have transport pre-arranged
• Trust your instincts

Meeting New People?

Meeting people at clubs is part of the experience! But be smart:

• Keep your drink with you
• Don't share too much personal info immediately
• Tell friends if you're going somewhere with someone
• Meet in public first if taking it further
• Trust your gut feelings

Red Flags: Trust Your Instincts

If something feels wrong, it probably is.

Trust your gut when:

• Someone's too pushy
• You feel uncomfortable
• A situation seems sketchy
• Your friends express concern
• You get a "bad vibe"

What to do:

• Remove yourself from the situation
• Tell friends/staff
• Don't worry about being "rude"
• Your safety > someone's feelings

Emergency Resources

Keep these numbers saved:

Emergency: 999 Police Scotland (non-emergency): 101 NHS 24: 111

Taxi Companies: Glasgow:

• Glasgow Taxis: 0141 429 7070
• TOA Taxis: 0141 332 7070

Dundee:

• Tele Taxis: 01382 825825
• Rainbow City Taxis: 01382 450450

Sexual Assault Support:

• Rape Crisis Scotland: 08088 01 03 02
• Dundee RASAC: 01382 201 291

The Morning After: Post-Night Safety

Getting Home

• Text friends to confirm you're home safe
• Message the group chat
• Charge your phone
• Drink water before bed
• Keep phone nearby

Lost Property

Left something at Firewater?

• Check with venue next day
• Check social media lost/found groups
• Report valuable items to police

If Something Bad Happened

If you experienced:

• Assault
• Theft
• Spiking
• Any crime

Report it:

1. Police: 101 (or 999 if urgent)
2. Venue staff
3. University support services (if student)
4. Support organizations listed above

You did nothing wrong. Get the help and support you deserve.

The Firewater Promise

Firewater Glasgow and Dundee are committed to providing safe spaces for music lovers. Staff are trained in:

• Spotting vulnerable individuals
• Dealing with aggressive behavior
• First aid
• Emergency procedures
• The "Ask for Angela" scheme

The venues have:

• Security personnel
• CCTV coverage
• Clear emergency procedures
• Partnerships with Police Scotland
• Zero tolerance for harassment

The Bottom Line

Amazing nights out and safety go hand-in-hand. You can:

• Dance till 3am
• Sing every Arctic Monkeys lyric
• Make incredible memories
• Look after yourself and friends

Smart nightlife = better nightlife

The goal isn't to make you paranoid. It's to make you prepared. Knowledge is power. Being aware is being safe.

So go out. Have an incredible time at Firewater. Scream along to "Mr. Brightside." Make friends. Create memories.

Just do it smartly.

See you on the dance floor - safely.

Sources:

• Police Scotland: Safe Nights Out
• 7 Steps to a Safe Student Night Out
• Crimestoppers: 7 Top Tips for a Safe Night Out
• Student Guide to Staying Safe