24
Dec,2025
Every year in London, hundreds of girls walk into nightclubs, bars, and music venues without ever checking where the fire exits are. They laugh, dance, drink, and lose track of time-until the alarm sounds. Then it’s too late to think. You don’t need to be a safety expert to know that in a panic, people don’t read signs. They follow the crowd. And if the crowd is confused, you’re stuck. That’s why knowing your escape route before the lights go out isn’t paranoia-it’s survival.
Why Fire Exits Matter More for Girls in Nightlife Spaces
Girls are more likely to be separated from friends in crowded venues. A 2024 study by London’s Fire and Rescue Service found that 68% of injuries during venue evacuations involved women under 25, mostly from trampling, falls, or being pushed into blocked exits. It’s not because they’re less capable-it’s because venues are designed for flow, not safety. Stairwells get turned into photo zones. Exits get hidden behind velvet ropes. Emergency doors get locked for "security"-and no one tells you.
When the fire alarm goes off, you don’t have time to ask someone where to go. You need to know. And if you’re in a group, you need to agree on a meeting spot outside-before the music starts.
What a Real Evacuation Plan Looks Like
Legally, every venue in London with over 50 people must have a written evacuation plan approved by the local council. But here’s the catch: most are never shown to the public. You won’t find them on the website. You won’t see them posted at the entrance. They’re tucked away in a manager’s drawer.
But you can still spot the signs of a good plan:
- Clear, glowing signs pointing to at least two separate exits on every floor
- Exits that aren’t blocked by tables, coat racks, or staff-only doors
- Stairwells that aren’t the only way out-no venue should rely on one staircase
- Staff who know where the exits are and aren’t afraid to point them out
If you walk in and the only exit you see is behind the DJ booth, or you have to climb over a pile of stools to get to a door-that’s not a plan. That’s luck.
How to Check a Venue’s Safety Before You Even Pay the Cover
You don’t need to be a firefighter to spot danger. Just look. Right now. Here’s what to check in under 30 seconds:
- Find the nearest exit. Walk toward it. Is it clearly marked with a green light? Does it open outward?
- Follow the path. Does it lead to a hallway, or does it dead-end into a bathroom or storage closet?
- Count the exits. Are there at least two visible from where you’re standing? If not, you’re in a single-point failure zone.
- Watch the staff. Do they glance at the exits when they walk by? Or do they ignore them like furniture?
- Look up. Are there emergency lights on the ceiling? If it’s dark and the power goes out, will you still see the way out?
Do this every time. Even if you’ve been there 10 times. Layouts change. Doors get blocked. Staff change shifts. What was safe last month might be a trap tonight.
What to Do When the Alarm Sounds
Here’s what not to do: scream. Run blindly. Grab your phone. Look for your friends first. That’s the instinct. But in a real emergency, every second counts.
Instead:
- Stop. Breathe. Look for the nearest exit. Don’t wait for someone else to move.
- Move toward it-quickly, but calmly. Don’t push. Don’t stop to grab your bag.
- If you’re with a group, yell: "Exit this way!" and lead. Don’t wait for someone else to take charge.
- If the main exit is blocked, turn around. Look for the second one. Always have a backup.
- Once outside, go to your pre-agreed meeting spot. Don’t hang around the entrance. You’re blocking the escape.
There’s no heroism in staying inside to find someone. Your job is to get out. Then call for help. Then wait for them at the safe spot.
What Venues Get Wrong-And What They Should Do Better
Many venues in London treat safety like an afterthought. They spend £5,000 on LED lights but skip £200 on exit signage. They hire bouncers to check IDs but don’t train them to guide people out. They assume "everyone knows how to leave"-but that’s not true.
Here’s what responsible venues do:
- Run monthly evacuation drills with staff-no exceptions
- Post a simple floor plan near the entrance showing exits, stairs, and assembly points
- Train staff to say: "Exit this way" during loud music or crowd surges
- Keep exits unlocked and free of obstructions-no "VIP only" zones near escapes
- Use voice announcements during alarms, not just sirens
If a venue doesn’t do these things, it’s not just careless-it’s negligent. And you have the right to walk out.
Real Stories, Real Consequences
In 2023, a 19-year-old girl in Peckham got trapped in a stairwell after the fire alarm went off. The exit door was chained shut for "anti-theft" reasons. She was injured trying to break it open. The venue was fined £12,000-but no one told other clubs to fix their doors.
In Camden, a group of five girls got separated during a power outage. One didn’t know the venue had a second exit behind the bar. She waited 12 minutes for her friends to find her-by then, smoke was rising. She was treated for smoke inhalation.
These aren’t rare cases. They’re symptoms of a system that assumes safety is someone else’s problem.
Your Safety Isn’t Up to the Venue
It’s easy to think: "They’re licensed. They must be safe." But licensing means they met minimum legal standards-not that they’re doing right by you. The law doesn’t require venues to teach you how to escape. It just says they must have a plan.
That’s why you have to be your own safety officer. Learn to read the space. Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. Walk out. Don’t wait for permission.
Next time you go out, don’t just check the playlist. Check the exits. Don’t just ask who’s playing. Ask: "Where do I go if something goes wrong?"
Because in a crowd, the loudest voice isn’t the DJ. It’s the one that says: "This way. Now."
What should I do if I can’t find a fire exit in a London venue?
If you can’t spot a clearly marked exit within 10 seconds of entering, leave. Don’t wait for the alarm. Walk out the way you came in, and don’t return. Report the venue to the local council’s environmental health team. They’re required to investigate. You don’t need proof-just your description and location. Your report could save someone else’s life.
Are fire exits always unlocked in London nightclubs?
By law, yes-emergency exits must be unlocked and openable from the inside without a key. But in practice, some venues chain, bolt, or prop them shut to prevent theft or unauthorized entry. This is illegal and dangerous. If you see a locked exit, take a photo (if safe), note the time and location, and report it to the London Fire Brigade’s non-emergency line. They respond to these reports within 48 hours.
Can I be refused entry if I ask about fire exits?
No. You have the legal right to ask about safety procedures before entering. If staff refuse to answer or act hostile, that’s a red flag. You can walk away without penalty. In fact, venues that react badly to safety questions are more likely to cut corners. Trust your instincts. Your right to safety overrides their need for control.
What’s the best way to stay safe with friends during an evacuation?
Before you even enter, agree on two things: the main exit you’ll use, and a backup meeting spot outside-like the bus stop across the street or the corner café. Don’t wait for someone to text you. Don’t go back in. Once you’re out, head straight to the spot. If someone’s missing, call 999 and give your location. Let the professionals search. Your job is to stay safe and be found.
Are there apps or tools to check venue safety in London?
Not officially. But some community groups, like London Safety for Women, crowdsource reports on venues with blocked exits or untrained staff. You can check their Instagram or Twitter feed for recent warnings. There’s no official database, but your own observations matter more than any app. If you see something unsafe, tell others. Post it. Share it. Silence keeps people in danger.
What Comes Next
Change doesn’t start with a law. It starts with someone saying: "I’m not going in there until they fix the exit." It starts with a group of friends walking out together because the lights looked wrong. It starts with you refusing to treat safety like a bonus feature.
Next time you’re planning a night out, make safety part of the plan. Not the afterthought. Not the footnote. The first thing.
Because the best night out is the one where you come home alive-and you knew exactly how to get there.
