Clubbing in your 40s

[Canisaysomething]

Not an AIBU as such. But my DC are finally at an age they can be left with baby sitters and I want to go clubbing. I want a night out in London similar to Shoreditch 2005 - 2010, Shunt lounge London Bridge if that means anything to anyone.

Is clubbing always a disappointment in your 40s or can those nights out in your late 20s be recreated?

Another vote for this.

Also, be prepared to feel like you are 100 and not in your 40s.

Don't let any of that stop you though. Life is too short, and you will likely still have a blast. Don't leave your drink unattended though.

I like a tent at a festival too because if the music's rubbish you can leave and find something else. Going out to a club requires a certain commitment 😄😄

The last time I went to a club was Dec 2019. It was one that we went to about 4 times a year due to distance (it was in Manchester, we live in Somerset), I was coming up to my 55th birthday. It was the last time we went as it was closed down and demolished in 2022, to make way for flats. Sometimes I long for a Saturday night back there and if it was still there I'd still be going.

The last time I was in a club was just before Covid. I was in my early forties.

I was stood by the bar, and a kid - I'd be suprised if they were 18 - sidled up and said 'excuse me, I hope you don't mind me asking, how old are you'. I told him and he replied 'I think it's really great that you're still getting out'.

It was entirely well-intentioned but it cut like a knife.

I guess it depends where you go. My town opened a club for over 35 year olds, playing music from the 80s and 90s. I went there but almost everyone was just sat around at tables rather than dancing and I ended up going next door to the normal bar/nightclub that was full of 18/19/20 year olds celebrating finishing high school which made me feel really old (late 30s) but still managed to have lots of drunken conversations with random strangers.

There’s a very thriving over 40’s music scene out there if you know where to look.

Steer away from the high street type clubs and there are events every week aimed at an older music loving crowd. In fact the market is probably over saturated rather than there being not enough on.

It depends where you live but in London and the Home Countries there’s so much out there ranging from the 80’s anthems type tunes right up to new releases.

I tend to go to more house/dance events and the crowd is very mixed age ranges. Someone else mentioned Clockwork Orange which attracts a very wide range but also weekends like Southport is definitely for an older crowd. And it’s not all sleazy like the Butlins adult shagfests - these events are all about music and meeting likeminded friends.

Horse and Groom in Shoreditch has regular - at least fortnightly - free events from 4-10. It gets packed though so get there early.

Ha! I ❤️ that scene!
Excellent series also

oh wow, I'd find that painful to hear too! Like "I'm 45, not dead yet. And at your age probably stayed up waaaay later than you!"

There's a club in my city that does an early night out ticket. 3pm-9pm. I'm 33 and still like a drink and a dance, I just HATE being out late, I'm a lark not an owl and if I don't get a decent night's sleep I'm a grumpy cow the next day. The early night ticket is ideal for me 😂

I’m over 50 and was a real dancing in a field raver in my day and still absolutely love the music.

Like others, I much prefer festivals and daytime events these days and it’s trainers all the way

The 3-9/10 events are perfect - have a good dance meet up with friends and still be in bed for a decent nights sleep.

I still have a great night out.

A few years ago I went to a university conference as a mature student. Some of the others wanted to go out in the evening to relive their youth. I went along and it was dreadful. I was back at the hotel with a cup of tea by around 9. And I don't have an old fart mentality either.

I'm 48, still go clubbing. There's lots of similarly aged people who also still like a good night out, if you know where to go. I'm not about to give it up any time soon (barring health/disability reasons).
Dancing is good for the body and soul 😃

I haven't been for a few years, but in my early 50s went with younger colleagues a few times. Not much fun but OK. Stood at the side in 1 place and thought jesus I'm the oldest swinger in town.
And when I dance now my knees play up something shocking.
Still go to the odd women's night where there's a better age range. But that's probably not the sort of club night you were thinking of

Oh hell to the no.

Thinking back to my own clubbing days, anyone who looked older than 30 was given the side-eye, and "what is granny doing here?"

In your 20s you can go, wake up feeling a bit delicate, but otherwise fine. But in your 40s, surely you'll wake up in the morning feeling rougher than an alligators arsehole?? Not for me, thanks!

The dancing though! Has it changed? I would worry about standing out if a more mixed-age club.

I do dance as a hobby - tap and other 'outing' dance, but different kettle of fish.

I remember we disliked the men, in their 30s and upwards, who came into some of the clubs in groups. They were also quite bothersome at times.

Just try not to look like Michael Gove OP

Surely clubs reek of fart since smoking was banned?

😆

😅

I remember the Gove at night club thing.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=vWmgAHrcKFc

Berlin (where we live) might have something to offer here. Most of the big clubs are open 24 hours on the weekend, ie Friday to Sunday non-stop (and no, i do not know if anyone cleans the toilets at all on those days but I certainly hope so).

This aside, it means different groups of people tend to come and go in shifts according to demographic status. From what i've heard it mostly tends to be tourists and the 30+ crowd from 8pm until midnight and most of the serious young clubbers tend to turn up at around 2am. Apparently the easiest time to get in (some of the clubs have very selective door policies) is about 6am on a Sunday, although its probably full of the very hammered/intoxicated at that time.

The downside is much of the music is techno or EDM....don't know if that appeals or not.

hahah @TheWhalrus i can remember being in a club in berlin about 5 years ago and i was coming out at 11am Saturday morning and asked when it closes and the guy who worked there said Monday

😱 yesssss

I’m mid 30s and still go clubbing every couple of months. I love it! If anything it’s better now as I don’t give any fucks and I have more money. I find there’s still a lot of people my age and older and the conversation with them is better than with the younger ones. I always have a laugh. I’m really sociable and quite young at heart so I think that helps.