• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

My friend hired me as a bouncer at his bar. Any tips?

Status
Not open for further replies.
P

Protein

Banned
Cue the yourealreadydead.jpg posts.

It's your typical college dive bar. I regular the bar pretty often– hardly to drink, really just to smoke a cigarette or two and escape– so I know the inner-workings and type of crowd I would have to deal with.

I heard my friend was asking around for a bouncer so I immediately went to see him about it and applied. To be honest, the only reason I applied for this job is that I'm struggling to make ends meet since my company has suffered massive layoffs and my hours were butchered severely. I'm not doing too well. I know this can be a dirty job but I'm willing to do my best.

I'm currently average body type, but I still have a quite a bit of muscle on me leftover. I used to be in much better physical shape, but I'm currently hitting the gym to try to bulk up for a small boost of intimidation factor. Anything that will deter unwanted physical confrontation, no matter if it just lowers that chance by 10%, is more than welcome. As far as self-defense, I'm a pretty good boxer, but not much else.

Has anyone here ever worked some sort of security detail or been a bouncer at a club? What kind of tips and advice can you offer me? I'm going into this pretty blind, but this is my only option right now until something else better comes along.
 
L

lethial

Reeeeeeee
Ive done concert security and bouncing over the years. Drunk people are a pain to deal with but you always have the cognitive upper hand to drunks. You have to be firm if taking somewhat out or if denying entrance. Only put your hands on someone as a last resort.

Edit: everyone will try and be your friend if you're front door. Don't be their friend.
 
D

Deleted member 47027

Unconfirmed Member
Eh it sounded shitty. Didn't mean to.
 
D

DrEvil

not a medical professional
Worked as a bouncer at the local college pub when I was still in school,

if you're inside, especially overseeing the dance floor or any high traffic area, watch for drunk ladies to grind on you just because they can.

Follow the general Arrested Development rule: No Touching!


Of course, when this happens, their drunk boyfriends (or friends who want to be their boyfriends) will get up in your face for no good reason, so it just ends up an exercise in patience, honestly.
 
C

Captain_Spanky

Member
Body type doesn't matter *too* much, I'm 5'5'' and a bit overweight (well more than a bit ho ho) and I was a bouncer for a year in college. Was part of a team so that obviously made a difference but I did OK.

Basically: Be patient, be friendly, people are a lot more responsive to a smile than being a prick, even when you have to do something unpleasant like eject someone being nice about it can make it a lot easier (not always because there will always be bell-ends)

Learn some same, easy holds that let you still maneuver the other person. The classic is the arm behind the back, mid-way up, strong grip on the wrist while your other hand is on their shoulder to help steer them.

Try and have CCTV on you at all times or at least a colleague. Back up will help if shit ever hits the fan.
 
A

Always-honest

Banned
I hope you're excellent at verbally taking the heat out of situations.
If all fails you have to be able to end things fast with as little violence and as much respect as possible (even with people who deserve a beating). People want to feel safe. Aggresive bouncers do not feel safe. It will just lead to even more violent paybacks.
The best bouncers i encountered were pretty smart, friendly and funny. But they could also really end things fast. I think one of the smartest people ever was a bouncer for a long time :p.

Jiu jitsu is a good backupplan..

Good luck. Admirable proffesion imo.
 
L

LookAtMeGo

Member
I used to be a bouncer. All I can say is be nice to people. Ask people to leave nicely. I barely ever had problems kicking people out because I was nice about it. "Hey man, I hate to have to do this but you guys are going to have to leave so just slam your drinks and lets go" not "hey! Grab your shit and get the fuck out!" That will start a fight. Dont be a tough guy. But if somebody gets in your face you put their ass on the ground fast. Usually they are drunk and you are sober and pissed so its usually pretty easy.
Also dont have shaggy hair. I had some guy grab my hair and start kneeing me in the face... keep that shit short. Unless you are like 6'5.
 
C

Chuckl3s

Member
^What he said! Be nice and polite.

Patience! Especially with college douches. They will get in your face but sometimes will never punch. And if they do, don't punch back! Just tackle them and kick them out. Of course you will get the drunk guy that says "oh I will sue this place". They won't or have the power too. Police are always on your side. They are the ones intoxicated, not you. Always keep a fast taxi service saved to your phone and get to know the regulars. And when checking ids, always look at the height.

Also, help out with the staff. IE..clear an empty table or take out the trash. Owners will see that you are very helpful and you will move up quickly.

I can go on and on but you will learn from experience.

- I've been in the bar business for two-thirds of my life.
 
S

Snuggles

erotic butter maelstrom
Honestly, I'd just bring a knife. No sense in getting into a physical scuffle when you can just stab an unruly customer.
 
K

Koomaster

Member
You working the door or inside?

Door? Know your IDs and take the job seriously. You don't want to let underage drinkers into your friends' bar.

Look up some episodes of Bar Rescue and don't do what bad bouncers do. :p
Pretty good show. Guy who hosts John Taffer (I think?) had a good idea to break up chick fights. Cold towel to the back of the neck works like magic.

Good luck!
 
A

akira28

Member
get em from the back, get those arms up, those legs bent and they're not going anywhere except where you put them.
 
F

Freaky Fred

Banned
learn how to throw an elbow

BX3zHXE.gif
 
F

fierrotlepou

Member
LookAtMeGo said:
I used to be a bouncer. All I can say is be nice to people. Ask people to leave nicely. I barely ever had problems kicking people out because I was nice about it. "Hey man, I hate to have to do this but you guys are going to have to leave so just slam your drinks and lets go" not "hey! Grab your shit and get the fuck out!" That will start a fight. Dont be a tough guy. But if somebody gets in your face you put their ass on the ground fast. Usually they are drunk and you are sober and pissed so its usually pretty easy.
Also dont have shaggy hair. I had some guy grab my hair and start kneeing me in the face... keep that shit short. Unless you are like 6'5.
Click to expand...

Have fun, OP!
 
B

Boss Riovane

Member
Keep up the nice demeanor unless provoked to the point to physical confrontation. 8 out 10 situations can be defused with just words. But when all diplomacy has failed use as the minimum amount of moves to detain and escort out. Don't put other patrons in harms way by scuffling, move that shit outside. If people are doing unsafe shit, call them out on it. Be observant and never make the first move physically. Can't stress that enough.


And be helpful to the staff.
 
C

Cwarrior

Member
Use to be a head doormen(bouncer) in the central london nightclubs the trick is your attitude matters be nice but don't be afraid to get stern on customers but don't pull that tough guy bullshit I've worked with a ton of guys that do it, all they manage to do is escalate or create a situation.

Your job & the way you handle customers will be different depending on the venue policy, management(what they want you to do) and the crowd you have that night.
 
I

iShouldGoPro

Member
I'd like to call myself an avid pub/club crawler, so let me give you a few tips from my perspective as a patron to help keep you off WORLDSTAR HIP HOP ;)

1) Be polite and friendly to guests. They are there to spend their hard earned money at the establishment you're employed at. The last thing I want is a smart ass, douche bag doorman to give me shit before I enter. Smile, make small talk sometimes. It goes a long way and you'll make a lot of connections.

2) Don't take anyones shit. So, this doesn't really contradict Tip #1 because at this point you're dealing with a drunkard or rude guest. If they are automatically physically aggressive towards you then get them the **** out however you can! If they're verbally spouting poo at you than the need to use physical means in order to settle the dispute is at a minimum. Ask them to leave politely. If they don't, do what you need to.

3) Have a good time. When landing a new job we immediately start to look at the negatives of the decision. But I'd like to think being a bouncer isn't too strict of a job... Enjoy it! You get a lot of leeway on the way you perform your duties. As long as underage guests don't enter the establishment, no fights breakout or injuries occur, you're pretty much outside (or inside) chatting it up with other bouncers or guests.

Congrats on the job man, and I hope I helped
 
Z

zeemumu

Member
Don't get upset if an old woman and a pregnant woman make fun of your job because you won't let them into the club.
 
H

hoggert

Member
Bartender here recommends getting a security license: "better pay, more opportunities for work, and better protection if things get fucked up." Not sure if you're looking for a career though; but if you end up liking this place and the work, why not.

Other stuff that has already been said:
"Be prepared to be called ANYTHING."
"Make sure cameras are on you."
"Be nice, but don't back down."
"Wear layers."
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

What does it say about me if I'm having more riveting conversations with ChatGPT than with my actual friends?
22
1K
DetectiveBananas replied
  • Locked
The Crimson Fleet vs UC SysDef quest chain in Starfield is some of the worst shit I've seen in any role-playing game ever
2
67
9K
BigLee74 replied
I'm afraid I can't handle my new job
2
56
4K
wipeout364 replied
Hello Gaf, this is my story (of mental illness)
13
1K
Y0ssarian replied
Would you butt into your friend's marriage?
38
3K
cobaltorange replied
Top Bottom