've been to a couple darn sarf, and dancefloor discipline wasn't a major concern. I would also say it is shared by some clubs run by younger promoters, some mod dos, and (from what I've heard) some European dos as well.
On the other hand I went to the 100 club for the first time the other day, and it was brilliant, though as it was an anniversary it may not be representative.
Bear in mind there is a school of thought different to that at your average Northern whippet-eating nighter; that seems to go along the lines "rules are for control freaks, and they intimidate or discourage newbies".
Importantly, there isn't the cultural history of "the dancefloor is for dancers", and nightclub tradition seems to provide the template.
Its a particular bugbear of mine, but neither do I like the bullying or undiplomatic approach sometimes taken at more traditional places up here.
It is worth bearing in mind that what most of those places have that many traditional nighters don't, along with the pissheads on the dancefloor is lots more young people.
I haven't been to enough places to generalise though, but I would hazard a guess that not all the traditions of Northern Soul went South (and elsewhere) with the music.
Lee, you are one of the very few people who can comment on the state of the scene, because you really do get around to a lot of differing venues. Only trouble is, you are fairly new to it, and much younger than most of us......so you see things from a slightly different perspective. Pity there aren't another 200 like you, same age group, same outlook, oh, and preferably female.....
Phil.