Difficult to advise mate without knowing exactly what you're trying to do, but I'm guessing light levels are very low, so assuming focus is correct, your unsharp shots are probably down to a slow shutter speed, so it seems to point towards using a tripod?
As for metering, if the lights are the main subject of your shots, then meter off the lights and bracket either side. Once you've got a good exposure you should be OK for the rest.