Danger on the dance floor: A study of interior design, crowding and aggression in nightclubs

Abstract: This study is concerned with the role of physical design features in promoting crowding in nightclubs, and with the relation-ship between crowding and aggression. It measures patron densi-ties, crowding, patron behaviors and aggression levels in 36 two-hour visits to six nightclubs in Surfers Paradise, Queensland, AUS. It was found that the more crowded venues tended to be the more violent, and in these high-risk establishments crowding increased more rapidly with patron density than in low-risk venues. Crowding appeared to arise partly from inappropriate pedestrian flow pat-terns caused by poor location of entry and exit doors, dance floors, bars and restrooms. Crowding was statistically related to observed aggressive incidents, even when controls were introduced for patron drinking practices, levels of male drunkenness and staff interac-tions with patrons. It is argued that architectural guidelines for li-censed premises should be produced to minimize the risks of unin-tended contacts leading to aggressive incidents in new or renovate