Whether you are hitting the clubs, a local event or a house party, GNO has our best safety tricks laid out for you!
First up: The (Haunted) House Party
Whether you’re a guest or a host, keeping safety and consent at the center of your night can make the difference between a great memory and a night gone wrong.
Go With Your Crew
Rolling up with a trusted group of friends is the best way to enjoy a house party. Before heading out, agree on some check-ins: text updates, bathroom buddy systems, meeting points, and plan for consuming alcohol and other drugs. That way, no one gets left behind if the night takes unexpected twists and turns.
Prepare your Potion
House parties often mean punch bowls, mystery shots, or “top-ups” that can be stronger than they look. Pace yourself, drink water and don’t hesitate to ask what’s in your cup. Hosts can support this by clearly labelling drinks, offering non-alcoholic options, and making water easy to find. Don’t pressure others to drink or do other drugs - be mindful of drinking games that don’t honour consent!
Hosts Set the Tone
If you’re the one throwing the party, there is so much you can do to support safety! Here is a list to get you started:
Snacks
Water
Phone chargers
Harm Reduction and Safer Sex Info and Supplies
Address clearly written so people can call for rides
Encourage people who are using substances to test their substances, measure accurately and clearly label their stash. See our Wild Night Out Zine and Resources page for more harm reduction resources
Want this poster for your party? Click on it to download!
Respect the Costume, Respect the Person
Halloween costumes are NEVER invitation for unwanted touch or comments. A devil costume doesn’t give anyone license to act devilish. A guest dressed in lingerie-inspired outfits still deserves the same respect as someone in a hot dog costume or ghost sheet. Consent applies no matter how playful the night feels.
On the topic of costumes, be sure to select outfits that avoid cultural appropriation.
Step In When Needed
If you see something off, a friend looking uncomfortable, someone following another around, trust your instincts. Ask if they’re okay or step in casually (“Hey, come dance with us!”). Bystander support is one of the strongest ways we keep each other safe. If someone is over intoxicated and showing signs of medical distress, do not be afraid to get help! Do NOT leave someone in a back room to “sleep it off!”
Clubbing on Halloween
Clubbing on Halloween is something else entirely. The costumes, the packed dance floors, the music, it’s one of the most exciting nights of the year. But with huge, crowds, distracting decor and brain snacks, respecting boundaries is more important than ever.
Plan Ahead
Big nights out work best with a little prep. Get tickets early to avoid sketchy resellers. Share your ride plan with your group and agree on a meeting spot inside the club in case someone gets separated. A little planning means you spend more time dancing and less time worrying.
Consent on the Dance Floor
Halloween is playful, but it’s not a free pass. Before you dance close, grab a waist, or put an arm around someone, ask or read clear signals. Consent can be verbal (“Wanna dance?”) or non-verbal (eye contact, a smile, moving closer), but silence or uncertainty is never a yes and costumes don’t change that. Keep boundaries in mind, and respect everyone’s right to party without unwanted attention.
Remember these tips from our friends at PLURI and their Guide to Flirting on the dancefloor !
Announce your approach (people don’t love jump scares, even on halloween
Don’t take people out of ‘the zone’ - if they look like they are connecting iwht the music - let them be.
People can change their mind! Don’t make a big deal about it it and move on
If someone needs care and support due to over intoxication - that is NOT the time to flirt with them
No matter where you party, knowing the signs of overdose is essential!
Look Out for Your People
Part of clubbing is watching out for your crew. Quick bathroom check-ins, offering water, or stepping in if you see someone feeling cornered, make a difference. A “Hey, you good?” can mean the world when the bass is loud and the lights are flashing.
Remember to call out predatory, creepy and not chill behavior in your friend group before it escalates.
Foster honesty and transparency around substance use - people using in secrecy and isolation puts them at risk for overdose. Destigmatization safes lives!
Talk to Staff
Finally, if something feels unsafe, don’t hesitate to talk to club staff. Whether it’s too much crowding, a drink that doesn’t feel right, or someone making others uncomfortable, flagging staff is part of keeping nightlife safe.