Ask a Bouncer.....

[WanderingFool]

Well, I got a friend who is 22, and is looking to become a bouncer because he thinks he is a tough SOB. While he is in pretty decent shape, He doesnt know any martial arts, is under roughly 90 Kgs, And is shorter than me (im 5'9"). So I have three questions basically:

1) do you think he stands a chance at being a decent bouncer for a bar (or pub in your case) that usually has like 20 people max on most nights?
2) do you think he is wanting to become a bouncer for the right reasons?
3)what advice would you give him?

P.S. Just to make sure, Im not talking about me, I really do have a friend thats going to do this.

 

[Random berk]

Have to go. Be back in a while to answer more!

One for ye guys, anyone here ever hit a bouncer??

Nope, though I've met a couple of bouncers who deserve it. They're not all bad, but they have a very bad rep in Cork due to a few who enjoy the power trip. The bouncers at Havana's nightclub. I have a friend who was turned away under the circumstances I mentioned earlier, but it can't have been based on his appearance. The guy looks just like Ed Byrne, but not like a scumbag. They also refuse people's IDs or change the rules on IDs based on how they're feeling on the night. I wouldn't hit one of them because it generally takes a lot to incite me to violence, but I wouldn't step in to help any of them either.

 

[Jark212]

One for ye guys, anyone here ever hit a bouncer??

Hell no, I've seen Roadhouse...

 

[Penguinness]

Telling you you have the wrong shoes on or asking for your ID, it's just because bouncers don't like how you look right?

 

[Programmed_For_Damage]

My wife worked as a "door *****" for several years before I met her. In fact they stopped giving her shifts a couple of months after we hooked up because, even though she never chatted up the clientele, she "didn't appear available" and would take off with me when she finished her shift. She's pretty much given me the low-down on the bouncers she's worked with and she said that on the whole they're pretty much nice guys, when they're in groups of no more than two. She told me that there's a pack mentality and how she's seen five of them "restrain" a single guy too drunk to put up any resistance and fracture his skull in the process. She also said that a lot of girls used to proposition the bouncers with sexual favours in return for entry, so I have no doubt you guys get a lot of pussy.

You sound like a good guy from your posts so I'm sure you're not part of the meathead crowd. She explained to me that usually it's not the bouncer's fault for people being turned away at the door; the management are the ones who set the rules for the night and they can change it on a whim.

I do have a couple of questions for you though; do you have guys (especially after a few ales) single you out thinking "this guys looks tough, I might have a crack at taking him out?
Also, what's your worst injury? In her time as security my wife got punched, eye-gouged, had her hair pulled out, had a chair broken over her and been thrown through a window. In separate occasions I might add. Let's put it this way I'm 6'3 and 100kg, she's 5'3 and slightly less heavy, but she's the one everyone's scared of and not me.

 

[HerrBobo]

You say that you come back from work hating the human race, obviously what people do. What is it that you find repetitive that they do, and want to say to them, or wish you could? I'm full of questions, and answering mine just means I'll ask more lol. Did you in your life think you'd be a bouncer? What was it you wanted to do originally, like dream job wise?

Drink makes sound people dickheads, its a simple as that. I get sick of saying the same thing to people over and over again. I get sick of having to be confrontational with people who should know better.

No, I never considerd begin a bouncer untill I came to college. I'm going to do a PhD after my M.A. my dream job is lecturing, I want to pass on my love of learning to oother people.

Which is more work for the bouncer? a Pub (we call it a Bar damnit!) or a Nightclub?

Anyway as for my question.

How much discretion do you get for turning people away, can you do it on a whim, or does there have to be a reason?

On the pub, 100%. I'm the only bouncer, it my door, I have a free hand. On the club, fuck all; nine other bouncers, loads of managers, everone thinking of the bottom line. We all get underminded there the whole time.

Do you too got a collection of weird stuff you take away from people at the door?
One of our bouncers got one, everything from butterfly-knives to unidetified selfmade dangerous looking stuff.

P.S. as a barkeep i say keep up the good work man. I sometimes wouldnt have the nerves or patience, good you guys are around.

Nah, people dont really carry wepons over here. Might get the odd bottle of somthing that they try and sneak in.

Cheers man! Loads of people think bouncers have it handy, till they give it ago!

 

[HerrBobo]

*snip*
So I guess my question then is this: why the hell is treating me like dirt for looking young apparently so necessary?

...Or is this a regional thing? Would love to know if bouncers are all just dicks in MY city or what.

That sucks man, I feel bad for ya. Truth is though, if you look young you are going to get ID'ed. However, if I ID someone who is over, say 24 or 25, I usually say sorry and make some joke about how looking young will stant to them in later life. I'm embarrsed when I ID older people.

I hope that by reading some of my answers in this thread you see that not all bouncers are dicks.

Bouncers are dickheads. Most of them are just there for the "power" they get, Couldnt count how many times i've seen them repeatedly punch innocent people. Then when we call the cops, they get arsey with us. Pure dicks.

Again, I hope you see by my answers that not all bouncers are dicks. Many, like me are just trying to pay the rent by doing a hard, and for the most part thankless job.

*snip*

so my question would be, are you automaticly biased towards the people you know, an are you in a smaller town or a uni city?
Also have you ever been unfortunate enough to start on a large group, where it could of gone tits up very fast?

And in answer to your question, no but as above, very nearly.

Sure, I'm always gonna let people I know away with a little more, cause a) they are my friends, or b) they are regulares, and there for spend alot of money in the pub. Though there is a limit for both.

A city, though people outside Ireland might call it a town, c.70,000 people.

 

[HerrBobo]

What is with Bouncers trying to sell me shit!?

"Can I go in?"
"Buy five scratch-cards."
"Errr what? No I don't want any."
"What are you, fucking cheap?"
"What the fuck would I do with scratch-cards in a nightclub, I don't want them."
"Fine, go in *****, but I'll be watching you."

How much would you say is a good bet for bribing your way past a bouncer?

You for real?! Scratch-cards?! WTF!

Are there any types of people you trust implicitly and will always let in?

No, but I see what you're getting at. People who are well dressed, walk up, smile and say hello have a much better chance of getting in the some guy with his hood up and head down, if you get me. Also couples, they always get in, mostly.

Do you let a guy back in after he has to leave so he can get his jacket?

You mean he has been thrown out? No. If he has a ticket for the cloke room though, I will take it and get his jacket. If he has put it down somewhere, I might have a look for it depending on how polite he is.

 

[HerrBobo]

what made you decide to keep working as a bouncer? Is this permanent for you, or will you do something related to your education in the future?
Mainly asking because it seems even though you say it's a shit job, you get a lot of awesome experiences from it, which may even the odds in favor of working as a bouncer.

1) I have been in college for the lat 4 and half years. Doorwork gives me good money for few hours so I can focus on college. I get ?15 Euro an hour. Not amazing by any means, but alot better then most "college jobs".

2) Hell no! I hope to be finished in August. If I get funding for my PhD I'll be jacking it in.

Doorwork can be great cráic, but its not worth the pain in the ass.

SInce this is a gaming website, did you play the PS2 game "The Bouncer"? If so, what did you think?

Nevr played it, I'm PC only.

Aw man, I was hoping you were one of the Bouncer Big Daddies from Bioshock.

I'm sad now.

Awwww, sorry. I do have a big round head, if that helps.

How tall are you?

How much did your license cost and how do you go about getting one?

1) 5'8'

2) If your living in Ireland you have to do a 2 day course, think its around ?300 and they apply to the PSA for a license that is ?75.

 

[HerrBobo]

What features do you need to be a decent bouncer?

Good thread by the way, making a dull evening much more interesting

Confidence. I often liken it to a ref in sport. Even if I make the wrong call I have to act like I know exactly what I'm doing. Also it allows me to act in such away that people do not want to question me. By my actions I have to say "You're not coming in because my opinion is more valid then yours. I don't wanna row, but if thats the road you wanna go down I'll be well able for it."

The uniform is also a big part of it. With out it I could not do my job.

How do you get maximum compliance from a bouncer? (or how do you behave so that it goes smooth as silk)

What types of sober people do you watch out for? What other types of people do you deny entry?

What are the weaknesses of bad bouncers?

What should you do if a bouncer mistreats you?

1) Do what the ask you. Don't give cheek, don't be agressive

2) Scumbags and big groups of lads, stag parties and the like

3) Begin too agressive is the most common one, some bouncers just cannot swallow their pride.

4) Dunno, report them. Always get the cops to get CCTV footage.

How much can you bench-press?
And
Have YOU ever been thrown out of a bar?

Dunno, I dont lift weights. I can do 120 push ups, I'm 17 and half stone.

Yeah, loads of times! Always for fighting, but that was 10 years ago. Not like that anymore.

 

[HerrBobo]

Well, I got a friend who is 22, and is looking to become a bouncer because he thinks he is a tough SOB. While he is in pretty decent shape, He doesnt know any martial arts, is under roughly 90 Kgs, And is shorter than me (im 5'9"). So I have three questions basically:

1) do you think he stands a chance at being a decent bouncer for a bar (or pub in your case) that usually has like 20 people max on most nights?
2) do you think he is wanting to become a bouncer for the right reasons?
3)what advice would you give him?

P.S. Just to make sure, Im not talking about me, I really do have a friend thats going to do this.

1) If the pub is that quite why do they need a bouncer??

2) No. Bouncers need to conrtol people, calm them, talk to them. Sure, some guys won't listen and you'll have to take them down, but going round think you're tough, hurting people and begin agressive is going to; a)get you glassed b)get you sacked c)get you jailed.

3) If he wants do it for proving how tough he is look else where.

Telling you you have the wrong shoes on or asking for your ID, it's just because bouncers don't like how you look right?

Yes and no. Some places have dress codes. In general if you wanna get in somewhere were a nice pair of shoes.

Where's the limit for you regarding the use of violence towards "problem visitors"? Not talking about K.O-ing ofc, but pinning people to the ground and such.

And where do bouncers stand legally regarding the use of violence? Heard of situations where I live (Norway) where bouncers have gotten away with hospitalising people, even though the person hadnt done anything physical towards the bouncer. Is this extreme cases, or can you beat the shit out of anyone that acts a bit more than obnoxious (spitting, threatening your life, etc)?

Good question.

Violence should always be the last option. I want people to have a good time, with in the rules. I have no problem getting in someone's face telling them to cop-on, but I don't want to be putting my hands on them. However, I have my limits.

Say you're begin put out and you say "you'll go yourself" thats great. I'll go with you, I'll be ready if you decide to fight, but I'll not put my hands on you. If you have to go put you're digging your heels in, I lock you up and drag/push you out.

You swing for me, hit me, kick me, ect. You go down hard and you go out hard.

You spit at me, you go down hard and go out hard.

Legally we around use the same force and the same locks and holds and psychiatric nurses use with their patients. Though, TBH, it does not work like that. If it comes to violence you do what you have to. I don't wanna hurt anyone, but if one of us has to go to the hospital, its gonna be the other guy, but that human nature, right?

In Ireland we are allowed respond in kind; if some hits me FIRST, I can respond in kind. I cannot hit them first. If I feel my life is in danger I can, more or less, do what ever it takes to stop them.

Once I had a guy pinned who had tried to hit me. I did not hit him, I grabbed him and swept his feet. I had my knee on hit chest, not too hard. I asked him if I let him up, would he be calm and go home. He told me he was "going to fucking kill me" after I let him up. Wrong answer. I grabbed him by the throat and increased the pressure on his chest. After a 30 seconds I saw the fight physically leave him. Technically I was with in the law, the guy has threatened to kill me. However, some reading this, I'm sure, will say I was dick head, and I was in the wrong, but what was I gonna do? Let him up so the fight could start all over again? In the long run I saved hime hassal, after I let him up, he went on his way.

 

[HerrBobo]

I do have a couple of questions for you though; do you have guys (especially after a few ales) single you out thinking "this guys looks tough, I might have a crack at taking him out?
Also, what's your worst injury? In her time as security my wife got punched, eye-gouged, had her hair pulled out, had a chair broken over her and been thrown through a window. In separate occasions I might add. Let's put it this way I'm 6'3 and 100kg, she's 5'3 and slightly less heavy, but she's the one everyone's scared of and not me.

1) Don't think so. Though I don't think I look tough. I'm short, though broad, I smile alot and have dimples.

2) Fuck, nothing as bad as your wife! Few black eyes, I have been bottle on the hand, it did not break though, but it was like getting hit with hammer. Been glassed in the face, it did break, got a 4 inch scar on my jaw line. Been throw over a few tables.

In my 4.5 years the worst injury I have seen a bouncer give to guy is a broke wrist and that was only because the two of them tripped as he was bringing him out.

 

[Programmed_For_Damage]

2) Fuck, nothing as bad as your wife! Few black eyes, I have been bottle on the hand, it did not break though, but it was like getting hit with hammer. Been glassed in the face, it did break, got a 4 inch scar on my jaw line. Been throw over a few tables.

Yeah she worked in a particularly rough area and we used to joke that the women who went there had less teeth than the men.
Still, sounds like you've copped your fair share of knocks. That glassing shit is nasty.

Like your avatar BTW. Mysterious Cities of Gold was one of my favs growing up. Hardly any one remembers it.