We all go on them. Many of us several times a week. But do we know what makes a good night out? Surely, the answer is obvious: plenty of friends, plenty of booze, plenty of music. If there’s money in your pocket and nothing to do the day after you’re sorted, right? Not necessarily. In my humble experience, often the biggest bashes are the least entertaining. The more people there are crammed into a room, the harder it is to have a proper conversation, and the less chance there is of actually having somewhere to sit or stand comfortably. Perching on the arm of a sofa wondering whether to partake in the conversation to your left or introduce yourself to the people on your right isn’t actually much fun. As exciting as it is to be in a large group, numbers alone don’t signify a good night.

The reason for this is simple: wider friendship groups are not the same as your closer bunch, which is invariably what it becomes once the drink is flowing anyway. Yes, there is no doubt it’s very pleasant to see people you haven’t seen in a while, meet friends of friends or just hang out with a different lot for a night. But it doesn’t beat your best chums. As the Carling adverts poignantly asserts: “You know who your mates are.” Now like anything, there is no rule. You can have fantastic parties full of people or have boring nights with four of your finest men. But there is something to be said for the idea that when it comes to having a good time, often less is more. Quality not quantity. Whatever cliché suits you.

Another desirable trait is closely related to spontaneity. This is at its worst humorous and its best a game-changer. Often the most memorable nights are where you ‘ended up’ somewhere or ‘met these random guys’. Spontaneity is normally achieved through two concepts; easy organization, and the right crowd. If you’re with your closer friends, you’re more likely to take a chance and try something new. Even if a decision is reached, marshalling a mob to a different place or to the taxi rank is no mean feat. You can bet your rapidly flattening beer that there will be a chorus of “we’re just waiting for Sophie she’s in the toilet” and “I think they’ve gone to get cigarettes hold on”. It will actually sober you up. If organizing is difficult, spontaneity is impossible, and if spontaneity is impossible, then chances are your night won’t reach its full potential.

So, we’re nearly there. We have our selected weekend warriors. We’ve embraced an element of the uncertain. What else decides whether our evening will live long in the memory or be banished to the archives of history? Location. Not everyone loves dirty clubs where it’s 80p Tequila and no one over the age of 19. Similarly, a quiet drink in a back alley pub full of middle aged drunks is not everyone’s cup of tea. If you have chosen your warriors, equally you must choose your battlefield. Allowing for different ages, gender and price range is a sure-fire way of determining where is best to go. Again, deciding on a venue is generally far easier in smaller groups.

Don’t get me wrong, birthday bonanzas are rare and always immense fun, but if you’re looking to kick back and let loose for an evening, pick 5 of your finest and try something new.