While Groningen is one of the safest cities in the Netherlands, unsafe situations can sometimes occur, for instance, during nighttime. It’s therefore useful to know how you can safely enjoy everything Groningen has to offer. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of 9 handy tips you should definitely keep in mind!

#1 You’re in this together

In the Netherlands, we have the saying ‘Samen uit, samen thuis’, which basically means that you go out together and go home together as well. It’s therefore important to occasionally check if everyone’s still with you and that no one gets left behind. My friends and I often go together from one club to another, or we split up if someone wants to stay a little longer. That way no one ends up being alone somewhere. We also try to make sure that everyone goes home together and gets home safely. In the end, you’re stronger together!

#2 Put your location on

Another important thing to do is to put your location on so that your friends know where you are at all times. That way, if you lose each other in a crowd you can always find your way back to each other. Or, if you’re stuck in an unpleasant situation and managed to text someone, they know where to find you in order to help. For iPhone users, Find Your Friends is a great app to use, or the Find my iPhone app that’s already on your phone. If not everyone in your friend group has an iPhone, you can always share your locations in a group chat on What’s App and they will appear on the same map.

#3 Don’t let your drink out of your sight

Never ever let your drink go out of your sight! It’s possible that people put drugs in it if you’re not paying attention. So, cover your drink with your hand where possible, do not drink it if you accidentally left it somewhere, and do not accept drinks from strangers. Even though you’re careful, there’s a possibility that something has been slipped into your drink, so look out for any symptoms throughout the night. You could start to feel very drunk (even after half a drink), nauseous, dizzy, confused, weak and uncoordinated and you might eventually pass out. If you notice any of those symptoms within yourself, please alert your friends. But also keep an eye on them!

#4 Keep your belongings close

This is an obvious one, but still important to keep in mind. Keep your belongings close, especially in a crowd, because they might get stolen. I always keep my things in a little shoulder bag because I will definitely feel it when someone tries to open it or snatch it off my shoulder. A fanny pack also does the trick. It would be a bummer to realise your personal belongings are stolen at the end of a fun night, right?

#5 Don’t forget to lock your bike

Another obvious one: don’t forget to lock your bike! In your haste, you might forget it and then find that your bike is gone at the end of the night, which is not ideal to say the least. Also, if you park your bike somewhere near the Poelestraat, Oosterstraat or at the Grote Markt there is a big chance that it will be removed. So the best option is to park your bike at the Grote Markt or Nieuwe Markt indoor parking spaces. That way you’ll always have a way of transportation to get home safely!

#6 Ask for Angela in unpleasant situations

If someone is harassing or assaulting you and you desperately need help, you can Ask for Angela at the bar. While this code word is not that widely known in the Netherlands (it’s mostly used in Ireland and the UK), many bartenders do know it. Moreover, they are always ready to help you so don’t hesitate to ask. They will make sure the harassers are thrown out of the club and that you are safe.

#7 Have a SOS emergency alert in place

It’s also wise to have a SOS emergency alert in place on your phone. Activating it will immediately have your phone call the emergency number (112) and send your location to them and your SOS contact persons. That way help is never far away if you need it.

#8 Keep a check on your surroundings

Overall, Groningen is a safe city, but nevertheless it’s handy to keep a check on your surroundings. Occasionally, look around you to see if there are any suspicious people present around you or suspicious situations going on. If so, react accordingly. By this I mean that you might want to move to another part of the club or take a different route to a certain place. If your gut feeling tells you something feels off or unsafe, definitely listen to it because in most cases it's correct. Better safe than sorry, right?

#9 Call a friend while going home alone

Sometimes, you end up going home alone which, especially during the dark winter months, can feel (and be) unsafe. Because of this, it’s a good idea to call a friend while you’re going home. If something happens or if you feel unsafe, your friend immediately knows, can advise you and calm you down. In an extreme situation, they can get you help. You’re not allowed to use your phone while you’re on your bike, so pop one earbud in to speak with your friend and leave the other one out to hear what’s going on around you.

Hopefully, these tips will help you to enjoy Groningen’s nightlife safely. I understand that reading this blog might give you some anxiety, but know that Groningen is one of the safest cities in the Netherlands. The chance that something bad happens is actually really small.

If there are any other tips that are essential to know, please let us know in the comments below. Input is always appreciated. For now, have fun exploring Groningen! :)