Don’t Dance In Toronto!

Heading to Toronto for the holidays? There's lots to do there, but, whatever you do, don't go dancing!

A new study looked at more than 100 Toronto-area clubs, focusing on locations that held over 300 people. The researchers made more than 1,300 visits [sometimes research can be so difficult], on weekend nighst between midnight and 3 AM. Their research was published recently in the journal Drug And Alcohol Review.

Their results? Fights broke out most often in and around the dance floor, followed by the bar serving area, then the tables. Hallways, aisles, and stairways finished fourth, then entrances and, in sixth position, the pool tables [you'd think it would have been higher]. The most serious fighting took place outside the bar [probably because fighters were ejected from the club before the battles got more severe].

Why was the dance floor most likely to host a fight? Sheer numbers seems to be one reason - the most people in a club at any given moment would be dancing. Rowdy behavior by dancers and spectators was also suggested as a reason for conflict.

The study suggests that similar results are likely at any nightclub, anywhere. But we know the results are definitely valid for Toronto! So have a great time in T-O. But leave the dance shoes at home.

(MSNBC.com)