AIBU to not let DS go to a rave

[ThatLimeNewt]

DS16 wants to go to a "rave" in London over Christmas. The event is from 4-9pm and it's only for16-18 year olds. AIBU unreasonable to not let DS go? The event is organised by Take off and its happening in the Ministry of Sound which is in a dodgy part of London. I am concerned about the safety of DS as he will have to walk through the dodgy area in order to get to the event. Also only one of DS's friends wants to go, shouldn't he go in a bigger group? He's been quite pissed at me over the past few days because I've refused to let him go.

It sounds very tame for a 16 year old... Let him go, in a couple of years he'll be clubbing and you'll have no choice about that

Of course you should let him go! It's an event specifically for teens, FGS.

Totally unreasonable!

It sounds like it’s an underage disco branded as a ‘rave’ to sound cooler to kids, so no alcohol and no predatory older people, unlikely to have drugs as there will probably be bag checks, but he obviously thinks it sounds good so the branding has worked - I would negotiate travel there and back that you’d be comfortable with (split the cost of a taxi with him?) and would definitely let him go!

I've just read about it on their website and it sounds great. Regulated, proper security, paramedics onsite etc etc. much tamer than the warehouse in the middle of nowhere raves of my youth lmao

Let him go, he'll have a blast. There'll be loads of other kids his age milling about this "dodgy" area so he'll be fine.

Let him go, sounds completely age appropriate.

Elephant and Castle isn't a particularly dodgy part of London.

And if it's over at 9pm transport home should be nice and easy.

At the end of the day, he could get attacked and robbed on the way home from the village hall.

He should go. But can you insist on an uber out of the venue? I have DS on fanily uber so I csn see when he gets the taco (and pay for it). If he is in a group would be ok. Do you live in London

Yes, agree with PPs. I would be thinking how incredibly sweet it is that he is referring to an underage disco as a rave! 9pm closing isn't that late at all and you could arrange a taxi for him if you are that concerned about the area.

That was my first thought , 4-9pm for 16 year olds, mine were sneaking into clubs with fake id at that age !

My sons used to go to raves at 16, ones I knew about and no doubt some that I didn't - they survived unscathed, and are now in their 40s!

Anyone remember The Rocket on Holloway Road?

lol exactly - I'm surprised he even asked 😂

It’s not a particularly dodgy part of town tbh and over at 9pm ffs

let him go

ministry of sound is a very well run club

It's a kids disco 4-9pm. Why on earth wouldn't you let him go? Do you live in London?

I took my DD to a toddler ‘rave’ at MoS.. it was really well organised.

I really suppose it depends on how far he will be travelling? If there are any railway engineering works, etc

I agree Ministry of Sound is well run.

I think it sounds like exactly the sort of thing I’d want my teen going to. Much better than the park drinking cider. Ministry of Sound does all sorts of clean events - sober raves, breathwork classes, it’s hardly dodgy. It’s like peak middle class.

I'm surprised he even asked

Yes, he could say he was going to a friend's house, be home by ten, and op would be none the wiser.I

I imagine it'll be mostly 16yos there. Can't imagine many nearly 18yos being interested.

If you're concerned about the area, arrange pick up and drop offs with his friends parents. You take, they collect or vice versa.

Seems like an appropriate event. Is it costly and can he pay for it himself?

Let him go!

Granted my son is a few years older (19) but flies all over Europe to go to raves. A day rave finishing at 9pm will be fine at 16, especially if he's going with someone else.

I’d let mine go. I loved that kind of thing when I was a teen.

At 16 I was clubbing in London, at 16 my dd was clubbing where we lived then, a proper underage event is great

My DD was 17 in July, she went to this event in the summer. Just with one friend and they were fine.

I'd let my 16 year old go, especially if they are going with a mate and it is ending at 9pm.

Ministry isn't in a particularly dodgy area of E&C - from the tube its a walk down a main road with loads of bus routes and no need to go through any of the estates which I would be a bit more cautious about.

Not a dodgy area at all now.
I was going to free parties in Belgium until 7am when I was that age in the 90s.
It'll be a nice experience for your son.