What you are worried about is valid brother!
But as in all cases... problems have solutions.
Ask around and many people will tell you. I have ran solo game for the last year. I moved to a new city, found it hard to make lasting relationships due to my crazy work schedule and other situations, so I had to deal. I can tell you that there are certain problems you need to overcome for doing solo. I won't lie, it isn't as easy as social circle/entourage game. But it can be just as rewarding. FYI, this deals with night/club/bar game, seeing as solo is the way to go in day game IMHO.
Here are the problems I noticed.
Problem: Its hard to get up the nerve to go it alone. You'll feel that nagging limiting voice in your head twice as loud as usual right before leaving. Once you do get the courage up to go out, you still have to calm yourself the entire way.
Solution: List out the reasons you hear that nagging voice use to try and convince you to stay at home or find something else to do. After listing them out, reason it out. You'll find that most of these issues will be addressed as I go on, but the issues of people staring and people judging are issues that are always present. YOU WILL BE JUDGED AT ALL TIMES. But conversely, these same people you are worried about will wonder what you are thinking about them even more so than the other way around. Even when accompanied, you will have to deal with this. Since I assume you have already gone out with friends before this, you have already dealt with it, by merely ignoring it.
Problem: You get to the venue and it is short stacked and you feel awkward going into the place because there are few people inside and they will know you came alone.
Solution: Two things will alleviate this issue. First be selective and wise in when and where you go. Do not go out at 8 to a club that just opened. When I roll solo, I usually arrive at the venue an hour after I think they should be filling. To facilitate this, grease the doorman and befriend him ASAP. A friend at the door is worth two inside when it comes to getting into a near capacity club. So go later, and already be friends with the doorman. If you find yourself there at an early hour, then you MUST follow the three second rule. Enter your warm-up sets asap. If they blowout or fade, then open the staff and start befriending them. Again, friends that work there are always a plus. If you know the doorman and the club is dead, then chat with him as people arrive. Social proof from being associated with the bouncers and staff can help here. One last thing, if a good set comes along, leave with them. Open them while he checks their ID, and then "Give them the tour." Proceed with great game after entering.
Problem: Running solo requires you to be able to merge sets in order to isolate a target. If you cannot occupy the obstacles, you cannot isolate.
Solution: You need to open what I call a base set. These people will be friends. These are the friends you will be getting back to in one second. These are the friends you want to introduce people to. They are your base group that you can always backward merge into. Learn this. It is important. It doesn't matter if it is an all guy set or a mixed set. As long as it is a decent set that you ran well, you can use them.
Problem: You isolate but, due to the base set not pulling their weight, the obstacle returns very soon after the isolation took place.
Solution: At this point, if you have built enough attraction and are decently into rapport building, you can safely bounce. Engage the obstacle for a few minutes, entertaining and involving them in your conspiracy. Which brings me to my next point. If running solo, you should have a bounce location picked out before you enter the venue. When you bounce, it may happen that you end up with only the target bouncing with you. If so, gratz. Close and smile while you do it. If the obstacles join you in the bounce, continue game as usual and understand that you may end up being able to only pull the day 2 timebridge due to the interference. I find that in this situation, if you are about to bounce with a two set, you may want to invest the time into finding another set to join you. If you do not, expect to have the obstacle in your way for the night.
In the end, I have had very good success running solo, and do recommend it. At times I have found that going in alone and coming out with multiple people following is VERY rewarding. Good luck, and happy hunting.
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