When the night calls for celebration with friends, the last thing one desires is to find themselves ensnared in an unsafe or uncomfortable situation. Unfortunately, such instances are more prevalent than one would wish, potentially casting a shadow on the festivities. In the spirit of preserving the joyous essence of live performances, it becomes imperative for venues, promoters, organisers, and partygoers to unite and proactively address the challenges that linger. My Kolkata delves into the problems often faced at party scenes and offers effective strategies to tackle them head-on.
Inebriated driving? Apps to the rescue
Taking the car out for a night of revelry is undoubtedly convenient, but the journey back after a few drinks can quickly turn into a dangerous venture. The vigilant eyes of the Kolkata Police, particularly around Park Street, make the chances of getting pulled over quite substantial. While designating a sober driver from your group is the first line of defence, the DriveU app emerges as a saviour in times of need. This app allows patrons to seamlessly book a driver who not only escorts them safely home but also takes care of their vehicle, even covering potential damages.
Other potential apps that can be used to hire drivers are Drivers4Me and CarChalak.
Zero tolerance for club brawls
Subhajit Chakraborty, associate director - bars, The Park works six days a week to ensure his club and team function smoothly
The safety of the partygoers and bystanders is paramount, with strict security guards stationed at every corner. Subhajit Chakraborty, associate director - bars, at The Park, explained, “If a scuffle ensues, my guards aim to neutralise it by escorting the involved parties out of the club. Should they calm down, re-entry is permitted, but persistent troublemakers are shown the exit.”
A scene at the party
Subhajit emphasised that banning is a last resort, with a thorough evaluation process involving security reports, managerial discussions and careful decision-making. Clubs spare no hesitation in involving law enforcement if situations are out of control, prioritising the safety and well-being of their guests.
No doesn’t mean ‘maybe’
A music event at Five Mad Men
Have you ever encountered a situation where a stranger, feigning friendliness, crosses into uncomfortable territory? Despite attempts to distance yourself, assertively saying “No” or physically creating space, the uneasiness persists. In such a situation, it’s important to seek assistance from the venue staff — whether a waiter, bouncer or any employee. Clubs are committed to ensuring a comfortable environment and readily remove individuals causing discomfort.
Sayan Roy, co-owner of Five Mad Men on Sector V, emphasises their approach: “In situations of concerning behaviour, we aim for a neutral stance upon being alerted. However, after two warnings, our bouncers will promptly escort the troublemaker out. If the situation persists, we reserve the right to involve law enforcement.”
Five Mad Men has hosted packed scenes, with bands like When Chai Met Toast and Lakkhichhara, prioritising the safety of all attendees
Sharing her experience, a partygoer recounts an incident in a club: “I felt someone pushing me from behind while partying with my friends. Despite expressing annoyance, the situation escalated with them cursing at me. I chose to move away, prioritising my safety and avoiding unnecessary conflict.”
Wee hours and tired? Check-in and sleep
After a wild night hitting up three or four parties, just call your Uber or Ola and wrap things up. But what if there’s an emergency and you can’t travel? Well, here’s a cool option: you can book a room in the late hours of the night, take a quick nap, and be all set for the next day.
Said Subhajit, “Yes, we do offer rooms if someone needs them late at night, but they have to ask. We can also help arrange a car to take them home.” It’s definitely a safer choice, especially when you’re tired and getting around is a bit tricky. Just remember, though, that rooms are given based on availability. The Astor also offers rooms to guests when they need them.
Musicians in the line of fire
Singer Paloma Majumder has faced the challenge of water, colours, and paper being thrown at her during performances
In crowded party venues, damage can occur, both intentional and unintentional, affecting not only the event but also impacting the musicians and artistes involved. The potential harm extends to the point where even well-known figures exit the stage due to disrespectful fan behaviour. We all saw what happened in Cardi B’s case, when a fan threw a drink at her during her performance in Las Vegas in July. Progressive DJ Kunal G highlighted seemingly minor actions like popping champagne bottles can pose significant problems, as expensive equipment is vulnerable to damage.
Singer Paloma Majumder, too, shared her experience of facing direct assaults from the audience. “People threw water, colours, and even paper balls at me,” she rued. The water incident occurred early in her performance, prompting her to address the audience through the microphone, urging them to stop. In another instance during Holi, an individual throwing colours was promptly ejected by organisers who recognised Paloma’s distress.
Crowd control
Maintaining a balance between men and women is crucial in a club setting
When it comes to partying, clubs often strive to maintain a balanced ratio of boys to girls. A popular strategy? Many city clubs roll out special offers for ladies, ensuring an equitable gender balance. Club managers hold the authority to deny entry to individuals, considering the club’s internal gender ratio. But what happens at ticketed events?
According to Viraj Menon, the co-founder of Autoplay event planner and promoter, if the event profile doesn’t align with the expected crowd mix, organisers reserve the right to initiate refunds. “Online ticket purchases specify that entry rights depend on the organiser,” he explained. While these measures may seem extreme, they’re part of ensuring a balanced and enjoyable experience, a practice they’ll uphold when hosting underground artists Massano and Argy in Kolkata in December.
However, mishaps can occur, underscoring the importance for venues and promoters to maintain stringent security measures. The question arises: how does one effectively manage such situations? According to the promoter, strict protocols are in place. “As a promoter, intervening directly is not within my purview, so I must bank on the bouncers. They are tasked with escorting unruly guests out, following which we work to de-escalate the situation. Decisions regarding who remains and who departs are made based on specific circumstances,” he emphasised.
Weapons of self-defence
The use of self-defence weapons is a delicate matter. Though they can be used for safety, they have the potential for unintended consequences. Consider the scenario where pepper spray is deployed in a confined space, then chances of evacuating the dance floor would be high. How, then, does one address such a situation?
In anticipation of potential challenges, offline events in the city take proactive measures by putting up comprehensive disclaimers outlining do’s and don’ts leading up to their occasions. A recent example is the event “The Warehouse”, featuring Colyn, where organisers meticulously outlined terms and conditions, zero tolerance policies, and a list of prohibited items. Under prohibited items, one of the points read, “No weapons of any kind including, but not limited to pocket knives and self-defence spray.”
When we asked Viraj about it, Viraj expressed his reservations on the matter. However, he acknowledged that certain circumstances warrant allowing women to carry self-defence tools. He cites an incident where he witnessed a man behaving inappropriately with a woman. When she confronted him, the man defended himself by saying she had drank too much but with a smirk on his face. This experience established Viraj’s belief that women should have the option to carry such tools, even though he acknowledged the potential for misuse.
