We all look forward to the weekends where plans are set in motion for some clubbing. Between speculation and execution there’s a lot of things we as hermanos of the night could do to make the night that much better. These are basic skills that are often overlooked but equally important. Trust us on this one because there’s nothing worse than falling in love with a club’s music only to start writing it off because you can’t get a drink from the bartenders. From planning to dressing, dancing to conversing, the night club is a place where your skills need to be sharp. That is, if you want to have a night worth remembering for all the right reasons.

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Planning

The most important skill to have or work on acquiring is the ability to plan ahead. Chances are the great big night you have in mind won’t just land on your lap. Make phone calls and text your friends. Get a feeling for what they are in the mood for and gather a consensus going. After you touch base with your amigos, it is time to dive into your network of contacts to see what clubs are a good option for the night in question.

Planning is critical to having a smooth night. Have a plan B in mind in case your first choice isn’t in the cards for the night. Know ahead of time the parking situation in case you have a dedicated driver in the group of friends and make sure your driver stays sober the entire night. Who’s planning on crashing on your couch or whose couch you plan on sleeping on in the city is also just as important. These are details you don’t want to figure out after the night has already started. Planning saves headaches and potential drama but it doesn’t always happen.

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Tipping

this is where true gentlemen shine. Don’t ever think you are better than or more important than anyone else in the club, especially the bartenders and waiters. They are busting their asses serving drinks and providing a service so that we can enjoy a fun night with friends -- the least you can do is spend the 30 seconds remembering how they treated you.

By definition, leaving a tip is compensation based on a reflection on the service that you received. Most often the standard is $1 per drink but there’s a lot of gray area when you consider the establishment and drink prices. No matter your thoughts on tipping, it is important to acknowledge that bartenders and waiters will remember you even more so when you tip below the belt. Take care of them and they will take care of you. Maybe not that night but trust us, the next time you visit the same club and run into familiar faces behind the bar you’ll appreciate the smile and service you receive when they remember you’re not selfish.

8
Reconnaissance

Most often clubs and lounges have rooms or levels where they offer a variety of music catered to different crowds. As soon as you get into the door and walk through the sea of people that await you inside, you’ll have to put your reconnaissance skills to the test. Structural layouts and floor plans of clubs can be tricky to maneuver through and because of this we often see groups of people hanging in different spots.

Taking a walk around the club is the perfect way to test the waters and get a feel for the crowd. Reconnaissance is a skill that will allow you to find hot spots, who’s having a better time and where there’s some seriously good times going down. Not only is doing some recon work important but it could help provide you with some clues for the rest of the night. Is the club lacking that life you’re looking for? Are people enjoying themselves? What’s happening at other clubs nearby? All these questions can be answered pretty quickly if you’re on top of your recon work from the get go.

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Conversation

It sounds obvious and you’re probably scratching your head as to why we’re including this skill. The reality is that not all of us have the comfort level or charisma to carry on a conversation with someone you just met. While totally understandable, the skill of conversation is a must have for those who are looking to get the most out of their nights at the club. Don’t worry if you aren’t a chatter bug but also don’t rely on your good looks to all the talking either.

While you’re waiting for a drink at the bar, ask the person next to you what their name is and shake their hand -- if it’s a girl then do the same thing. Being open to having a conversation with a stranger can be rather exciting and a thrill at the same time or it could be a nightmare. The point is that you won’t know until you try it for yourself. Having your friends hanging around can provide you with the support you need in case you get stuck or run out of words.

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Smiling

You’ve seen all the cliché Pinterest images explaining the power of a simple smile. Your mother, girlfriend and aunt are sharing them in social media. We get it, right? Wrong. Smiling isn’t a skill so much as a natural ability. This skill is all that stands between you and a happy crew of friends at the club. Those around you are undoubtedly aware of the energy that you are projecting, just as you are aware of theirs.

Every facet of a successful night out at the club could benefit with a simple yet effective smile from you. Ordering drinks from your bartender and saying thank you to him or her. Asking the DJ to play a certain song or asking a woman out to the dance floor. All of these scenarios are infinitely more likely to go well with a positive attitude and a smile from you. You’re at the club to have fun and enjoy yourself. Nobody does that with a frown on their face, and if they do, then we can recommend a few neurologists.

5
Bouncer Speak

A dirty little secret that we sometimes don’t want to acknowledge is that without females in your crew, it can be tough to get into a club. It isn’t because they are the ones who are forking over dinero at the bar -- that’s your job -- but because that’s what causes us gentlemen to classify a club as hot or not. The music and the women are critical components to any club. Therefore if you show up to the door without any females, you have some work to do.

Just know that bouncers aren’t trying to kick you out before even stepping foot onto the dance floor, although it seems like it sometimes, but they’re actually trying to find a way to charge you cover. Guess what? You’re probably going to have to pay the cover unless your network of contacts is deep. Explain to the bouncer that you are looking for a fun night out with your friends but not looking to get a table or bottle service. He might place a premium on each head at which point you can start bargaining. Instead of $20 per head, try going for $10. If not, step up to $15 if feasible. Whatever you do, don’t annoy or keep him from doing his job, it could cost you the entry you’re looking for. Just have a cool and level head and be as professional as possible because it’s kind of like a job interview -- except the party inside the club is the job.

4
Networking

Planning a weekend’s worth of partying at clubs in your area requires more than just the initial "Ah-ha!" moment. Deciding where to go isn’t always so easy. That’s why networking is a critical skill to any savvy club goer. Bouncers, bartenders, promoters and even the valet guys could be your ticket to the next big party. We aren’t condoning social-climber behavior -- far from it actually -- but we’re talking about communication skills.

If by chance you find yourself having a conversation with a promoter or a bouncer, let them know that you frequent the club often or are always looking for a good night with your friends. The difference in knowing where the hottest party that night is taking place at and not having a clue where to go at all depends on who you’re talking to during the week. Networking when the opportunity beckons might land you an invitation to a guest list for you and your friends.

3
Ordering Drinks

Ordering drinks is all about manners and tenacity. This is probably the most often overlooked skill. It might not be much of a skill and more of a patience-induced technique, but rest assured that ordering drinks from the bar could be the deciding factor on a night out. A struggling bartender or an overwhelmed bar means you need to be on top of your game if you’re going to get a drink served within a few minutes.

The key here is your first impression. As soon as you show up to the bar. stand to order a drink -- you need to make an impression that catches the bartender’s attention. Don’t wave your credit card, don’t play with your dollar bills, don’t shout across the bar, but instead play it cool. If you see that a bartender is favoring one side of the bar then calmly walk over to it and find a spot that has her line of sight. Always make eye contact. It let’s the bartender know you are patiently waiting and plants the seed that dictates your spot in line. Be as well-mannered and friendly as possible. You are a gentleman after all, aren’t you?

2
Dressing

we are going to the club, not a wedding. There is a fine line and a colossal difference between how to dress for either occasion. Just like how your dance moves set you apart from the crowd, so does the way you dress. Learning how to dress is a skill that involves absorption -- yes, absorption. Through the years of partying with your friends and picking up magazines, you should have a database in your head that tells you just what styles you appreciate and dislike. No, don’t dress how they tell you to dress, but instead develop your own style with cues of inspiration. You’re probably going to be dancing which means the shoes need to be comfortable but also not over-the-top fancy given that they’ll probably be stepped on all night. A go-to jacket and pair of shoes is a prerequisite in my book. Conquer your style and the rest is history.

1
Dancing

You aren’t of Hispanic descent if you have two left feet. Dancing is something that we are born with, almost as if at birth we receive an IV that fills our veins with an understanding of rhythm. Whether we are looking for a night out replete with salsa, merengue, or bachata, what we do know is that it is better to dance than to warm the bench. Here’s a little secret: women (especially Latin women) appreciate a man who steps onto the dance floor regardless of skill level. Our moves and skills on the dance floor are what set us apart from the rest of the crowd,