As far as I know, the only real solution to this and other such problems is hiring better bouncers—with good situational awareness, good judgment of people, good ability to become very present/intimidating or very invisible/unobtrusive at will. Have some at the door, turning away people who give the wrong vibe, and some inside the venue, making the rounds in a friendly way.
Also, please don’t listen to the more outlandish suggestions here (ban drinks, ban drinks on the dancefloor, have gatekeepers between parts of the venue, tape lids on drinks, post scary signs). These will actively turn off good people. The venue should feel like a place of free-rolling comfort and joy.
As far as I know, the only real solution to this and other such problems is hiring better bouncers—with good situational awareness, good judgment of people, good ability to become very present/intimidating or very invisible/unobtrusive at will. Have some at the door, turning away people who give the wrong vibe, and some inside the venue, making the rounds in a friendly way.
Also, please don’t listen to the more outlandish suggestions here (ban drinks, ban drinks on the dancefloor, have gatekeepers between parts of the venue, tape lids on drinks, post scary signs). These will actively turn off good people. The venue should feel like a place of free-rolling comfort and joy.
Whatever you do in an event will turn off some people. There’s probably a market for people who want to go to clubs but want to avoid “rape culture”.
For a dance venue to be successful it has to mainly appeal to women. If women like it and come, the men will come because the women are there.
I did ask for weird ideas! But yeah point taken.