Clubbing often involves walking back alone to your car at ungodly hours of the night. We tell you which clubs in KL offer security features and services to make you feel just a little bit safer. By Ng Su Ann

Changkat Bukit Bintang
The unofficial nightlife strip of KL may not be safe despite its pounding beats and dizzying lights.The parking lots to avoid when clubbing at Changkat are the isolated, intimidating ones. This means no dark alleys, even if it’s free. A jockey service is available outside Havana, but if you’re not comfortable with that, you can always choose to park at the parking lots along Changkat Raja Chulan, where you can walk a short distance down to Changkat Bukit Bintang. If you like, there are more spots available at Jalan Berangan and Lorong Ceylon – but it's best you do this only when in a group.

About 10 minutes away are the parking lots at the end of Jalan Alor. It requires a bit of walking to get to Changkat but even after hours, the route takes you along the relatively brightly-lit main roads.

It’s a good thing that Bakita, Daikanyama and twenty.one kitchen+bar all uphold a security-esort-service-upon-request policy. So if you find yourself alone at the end of the night and your car is at a far end of Changkat Bukit Bintang, feel free to approach the bouncers of these three clubs and request for assistance to your vehicle.

Vertigo
While Mid Valley City may provide a 24-hour security escort service, the safety personnel which accompany patrons to collect their vehicles are managed by the administration of Vertigo. Simply approach the club bouncers if you need assistance and a security staff will then walk you to your vehicle. If you’re planning a night out at the rooftop club, it is advisable to park at Zon U, 6th floor at The Gardens Mall, the closest lot to the club.

MILK / Mist
After dark, it's best you don't lurk the forbidding streets surrounding clubs MILK and Mist. More often than not, one is forced to entrust one’s car to the hands of the street jockeys (if you need to double-park behind another vehicle) or face the cheery prospect of parking at a far end of the road. Having said that, we suggest you go in a large group or get a taxi in. Although the clubs do not have an official security escort hotline and service, you may approach the bouncers and request for help to your car.

Zouk
If you don't own a flashy red Ferrari, it's safe to assume that you don't park within the walls of Zouk. Although ample parking lots are available down the road, these tend to be dark and seedy. A Zouk representative has confirmed that the club does not provide a security escort service much less a security hotline, but five RELA members on duty every weekend assist club goers as they cross the street after-hours. These RELA members also patrol the car parks available nearby the club. On weekdays, it’s best to park at Hotel Maya opposite the club – probably one of the best kept-secrets of parking around Zouk - and most opt for the open parking lots.

Lust
We usually don't encounter difficulty finding an available parking spot right in front of the club (or along the road). But don't park too far off. Opt for the basement parking of the hotel as security guards patrol the lot regularly. If you need assistance walking to your vehicle, a security escort is available upon request.

See more features on how to stay safe in KL.