More good ideas. It sounds as if you’ve done this before.
I spent a weekend with friends in NYC. When someone had to go home, we went as a large “pack” of people.
That way we were able to dissuade any other “packs” from trying anything, and even if some of us decided to splinter off and go elsewhere (usually), there was always enough people to have strength in numbers.
Bullies tend to back down when confronted by superior numbers. Typical gutless punks.
But it never hurts to carry heat.(and I do)