I'm also introverted and haven't been to clubs in over 10 years, so can't speak for today's crowd. Despite being an introvert, I pushed myself to socialize. Primary motivation was just being somewhere fun with friends or work colleagues where I can dance/listen to music I like, people watch, or the one thing most people don't readily admit to: meet potential partners for sex. What actually happened was a lot more of the first thing and A LOT less of the last thing though lol. You're around a bunch of drunk people, something funny is bound to happen and those hilarious moments really made it memorable.
Dance, mostly. It's irrationally fun, but only if you can get in the right mood. (Drugs optional - I don't even drink alcohol.)
I will say if you are at a 6-day outdoor festival with camping it is a lot easier to get in that mood than being at a nightclub for what, 4-6 hours? Another comment referenced this too. I don't know if I should share my recommendations because they're better when they're not so well known. I found them by word of mouth from people I met at clubs.
Good clubs (RIP Wilde Renate) also have some kind of chill-out area where you can actually talk to people who are often also in the mood to talk to strangers just like you are. I presume it's an intentional accident that (at least at some) the indoor dancing area is always hot and the outdoor social area is always cold, which makes you want to alternate spaces like a Finnish sauna.
It's an open secret that most people who didn't come with a partner are, at least a little bit, hoping to meet one and have sex, but it happens much less often than mass media would have you think. That is in no way mandatory or the only reason to be there. It is simply one of many things that are permitted and has a small chance of happening whenever you socialize in general.
I should also mention there can be a big difference in vibes depending on the night - whether it's a random Friday or Saturday night, or a weeknight, or a particular party (see Resident Advisor and/or word of mouth).
Talking to people is not actually possible at clubs because it's just too loud. So, it's oddly perfect for introverts in that sense. Nobody goes there to talk.
It's why I never liked clubs I prefer small bars where you can talk to people. I've been in Berlin for 16 years now and there are plenty of those bars around. Even now that I no longer drink alcohol, I still enjoy going there.
But I never saw the point of the club scene here. I don't actually mind some of the music and there are some nice Berghain playlists on Spotify that I listen to occasionally. I just never felt any need to actually go there. Just not my thing. My impression of talking to people that do go to these things is that it's a lot about just being seen there or being able to brag about having been there. And then there are of course a lot of people that just go nuts and do that for the whole weekend while taking lots of pills. Also not my thing. But live and let live as far as I'm concerned.
Berghain particularly doesn't just let everybody in. People queue for ages and can then get told off for looking wrong or whatever. Elon Musk famously got an access denied there once. Not cool enough. Which I find hilarious. But the prospect of being vetted like that is a definite turn off for me. I just don't like that kind of snobbishness.
> So, it's oddly perfect for introverts in that sense. Nobody goes there to talk.
For an introvert, the only place better than being in the crowd at a music venue is being on the stage. There are sooo many introverts in bands and especially DJs; some of the greatest musicians are introverts. Performing is a form of radical self-care, and introverts are actually really good at judging the vibe of a crowd.
When it comes to electronic music, there are basically two types of clubs.
One type is the mega club. These are see-and-be-seen places. Ibiza. Vegas. Miami. The DJs are very famous, but often because they have a few EDM "hits"--not because of their selection or mixing skills. These places have tables, bottle service, and beautiful people. The DJs here often do nothing: they may have a USB drive that they press "play" on and then pretend to mix.
Then there's another class of club: the "indie" electronic music club. These places have djs whose skill is more about selection, mixing, and crowd/vibe management. The djs here often have respected production careers but often not.
What you do at these clubs is simply dance. Usually by yourself, listening to music. The best of these clubs will not blow out your hearing because the sound system is exquisitely tuned.
As an introvert, the second class of club sounds like it would be perfect for you!
As an aside, if you've never experienced a truly world-class DJ (of the second type, not the first), it's an incredible experience. Even if you find electronic music "boring", these people are absolute masters at taking you on an emotional journey.
The best way to experience this is at one of the top festivals. The second best way is at a club. The third best way is at home, with great headphones, and soundcloud/youtube dj sets. NOT spotify.
> Even if you find electronic music "boring", these people are absolute masters at taking you on an emotional journey. The best way to experience this is at one of the top festivals. The second best way is at a club. The third best way is at home
Hell I LOVE The Midnight, Com Truise, Essenger, Empire of the Sun, Robert Parker, Gunship, FM-84, Молчат Дома (Molchat Doma) and other Slavsynth groups I can't even pronounce the names of..
but the best way to jam out to that is to go on an actual journey ^^ a long drive, an open road, no stops.. Being stationary even if dancing just doesn't fit in with the images those sounds give me (picture those synthwave/outrun posters with purple suns and ringed planets in the background sky)
I really wish there were some modern games and movies made around that vibe.
> The best way to experience this is at one of the top festivals. The second best way is at a club.
I would respectfully disagree and swap these, unless the festival is something like Freerotation. Festivals tend to bring out the more consumer friendly, hands-in-the-air side, and more often than not, force everyone to condense their sets, losing a lot of the "storytelling", risk-taking and deeper cuts.
What remains of techno has largely rotted in the last 5+ years due to the high-visibility, high octane arms race "business techno" festival energy, for example.
> As an introvert, what are you even supposed to do at "clubs"?
I know many introverts who like music. I also know many introverts who like dancing if they don't have to feel like the spotlight is on them. Many clubs offer a good chance to do either or both.
In addition, you may of course go as a group of friends. Then it's an activity to do together. You have some drinks and chat in a setting that's different from where you are every day.
> Besides having your eardrums damaged
Earplugs help a lot if one's ears are sensitive to loud music. Many clubs also have areas where the music is far less loud.
Besides having your eardrums damaged