Clubbing 101

Midweek clubs are tailor-made for students and, thankfully, the number of quality options seems to be increasing all the time. So if the lure of inexplicably cheap doubles and familiar faces at the student union begins to wear off, there should be plenty to keep you occupied elsewhere. Long-hailed raving institution the Sub Club plays host to I Am and Sub Rosa, both offering choice cuts and the chance to see big name acts on Tuesday and Wednesday nights respectively. I Am have hosted a combination of international names and local favourites such as Dan Monox and Ben Martin (High Sheen) alongside residents Beta and Kappa in recent months, while Rosa invited the likes of Mia Dora and James Hillard of Horse Meat Disco to the Sub Club’s famous DJ booth. In Edinburgh, Juice at Sneaky Pete’s takes care of Thursday nights with an intoxicating mixture including disco, juke, dancehall and hip hop. In recent months the night has hosted Rinse FM crowd pleaser Oneman, Chicago juke figurehead DJ Rashad, and Hyperdub Records’ Scratcha DVA.  

In terms of monthly outings worth dipping into the book budget to finance, the choices are endless. In Glasgow, relative newcomers Offbeat always bring a mix of DJs and often make their nights free before 12, even when their able residents are joined by international guests. Over the past year or so, the crew have certainly made their mark, continually inviting top DJs to La Cheetah’s basement. Recent months have seen the visit of Italo disco purveyor Skatebård and the man behind the brilliant Sex Tags Mania label, DJ Sotofett. While you might not always be familiar with the names on their flyers, Offbeat can be relied upon to bring you a connoisseur’s selection of underground electronic sounds. Other recommended Glasgow events are Melting Pot, which serves up the best in disco, funk and house, Jak which tends to offer murky analogue techno and electro, and Naive which delivers house from the deeper end of the spectrum.

Edinburgh night Substance is an ever-reliable option and celebrates its seventh birthday in October with the visit of Moderat, the critically acclaimed collaboration between Modeselektor and Aparat. Such high profile nights have become a hallmark of the event over the years, with resident Gavin Richardson holding his own alongside some of techno’s legendary figures – the likes of Jeff Mills, Surgeon and Neil Landstrumm have all graced the capital in recent years and Substance remains one of the best nights on offer. Elsewhere, Jackhammer can also be relied upon to bring the biggest names in techno to the capital, while Xplicit has long served the city’s drum 'n' bass heads with top names taking to the decks alongside residents Eno, Dom Y2D, Dissonant and DJ Blaze.  

Of course, this is just a brief summary of some of the extra-curricular delights on offer. Browse The Skinny’s detailed monthly listings to find out what’s on where and keep an eye out for club profiles and features in the magazine and online. In the meantime, let us finish by offering a few general dos and don’ts to get the most out of your nights out...

DO be sure to follow as many venues and club promoters on Facebook as your news feed can handle. Things can change at the last minute and social media updates are often the main method used to deliver last minute ticket info, surprise guest announcements or the crushing yet somehow predictable news that 'International DJ Extraordinaire' Terrence Parker will not be able to play his set as planned... AGAIN.

DON’T pay much notice to the number of people allegedly going to nights on Facebook event pages. Chances are you’ll wander down to a seemingly quiet night hoping to get in but find that it’s in fact full, or head out early for a night that looks set to be packed, only to find you and your friends are the only people there apart from one 40 year old rave relic who keeps asking you for drugs.

DO attempt to go to the odd night which isn’t necessarily your preferred choice in music. Some of the best clubbing experiences you will have will be at nights you may otherwise have ignored.

DON’T expect to be able to see everyone you want to see in a given month (and live to tell the story). With new nights popping up all the time, and with a steady stream of 'unmissable' guests booked in Glasgow and Edinburgh each month, it’s important to plan your clubbing wisely. Some guests are here every other month, so prioritise or risk decimating your liver and your bank balance with 3 day benders every weekend.  

DO make the most of your nights out while the grim prospect of careers and increased responsibility remains somewhere off on the horizon.

DON’T blame The Skinny if you end up with an unexpected 2:2 in your chosen subject and an unshakable 4/4 rhythm stuck in the centre of your brain, forever.