Now Ye're Talking - to a Nightclub Bouncer

Boards.ie: Mark

Our next guest is a nightclub bouncer, also known as a door supervisor. He works in a popular city nightclub outside of Dublin and is here to answer your questions about his job.

B_ecke_r

are you told to let in a certain ratio of females to males?

mickdw

Sorry bud. Regulars only.

How often do you intervene in a scuffle?

punisher5112

What procedures are in place to stop crushes?

Are you under pressure to allow as much in as possible or even too many to make the business more money.

Do you really check I.D properly?

Do you ever get a few sneaky digs into the thick ones that fight and cause trouble.

What's the worst experience you have had?

Have you ever had to throw patrons out for doing drugs or selling and would you hold for Gardai.

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

B_ecke_r wrote: »

are you told to let in a certain ratio of females to males?

Certainly not where I work. Granted, we get mostly students so the ratio would be fairly equal usually.

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

[Deleted User] wrote: »

How often do you intervene in a scuffle?

You can be fairly certain heading into work every night that there are going to be scuffles. Usual procedure if you see something about to kick off is to call backup by radio, approach them and calm them down. When help arrives they are held until a superior can speak to them and then they’ll be removed from the premises.

If the fight is already underway you’ll call security and usually what I try to do is pick out the individual who seems to be the biggest threat and get him on the ground.

How do you deal with over aggressive colleagues?
I remember working in a large Cork City club and one guy used to escalate every situation, where a person would just (say) need to be spoken to would end up with a scuffle and them getting removed.

I ended up requesting a more (logistically) difficult area of the club rather than work the main floor, because of him.

mikemac2

Do you view the Gardai as there to help you for some out of control situations or maybe do you view them as a threat and they will want to prosecute you after a big fight?

Maybe both?

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

punisher5112 wrote: »

What procedures are in place to stop crushes?

Are you under pressure to allow as much in as possible or even too many to make the business more money.

Do you really check I.D properly?

Do you ever get a few sneaky digs into the thick ones that fight and cause trouble.

What's the worst experience you have had?

Have you ever had to throw patrons out for doing drugs or selling and would you hold for Gardai.

1. Security is positioned outside to stagger the queue which is very effective. The importance of this was highlighted by the terrible events in Tyrone.

2. We certainly aren’t under pressure to let as many in as possible. Since our club is so busy we can be easily turn away anybody who we believe to be too intoxicated and still fill the club. We use a clicker to count the amount of people entering and once the max limit is reached the door is closed.

3. Yes we certainly do, although females can be extremely difficult. If we have any doubt at all we’ll ask for a second form of ID which usually does the trick. That being said, of course you’re always going to have the 16 and 17 year olds who managed to get an ID that looks just like them.

4. This is a big no no these days. Sometimes you might love to give somebody a sneaky dig but it’s just not worth losing your security license. If we want to ‘persuade’ them there are plenty of arm locks etc. that are acceptable and certainly aren’t pleasant.

5. Now this is a tough one. I’d say probably the time a refused entry to an individual who was extremely intoxicated and covered in his own vomit. He became threatening and abusive and after about 20 minutes of trying to argue with me, attempted to push past me. I had to grab him and push him back outside, getting covered in his vomit in the process. Not a good night.

6. Standard practice if you catch somebody taking what you believe to be drugs is to remove them for the premises for being ‘intoxicated’. One thing you never do is accuse them of taking drugs. You have absolutely no way of proving the white powder in that bag is anything other than baking powder, and simple possession isn’t an arrestable offense unless it’s enough for sale and supply. On the other hand, if somebody were to be caught say with a bag of what appeared to be ecstasy pills, he would be held for Gardaí as you can be fairly sure that it’s for sale and supply.

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

mickdw wrote: »

Sorry bud. Regulars only.

Sorry lad. Not tonight.

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

[Deleted User] wrote: »

How do you deal with over aggressive colleagues?
I remember working in a large Cork City club and one guy used to escalate every situation, where a person would just (say) need to be spoken to would end up with a scuffle and them getting removed.

I ended up requesting a more (logistically) difficult area of the club rather than work the main floor, because of him.

Thankfully where I work there is very good management who would nip this in the bud very quickly. There are certainly some individuals working in security who are only waiting for the opportunity to grab someone and physically remove them.

I’ve never been in a situation like you where I’ve had to move position though.

B_ecke_r

my niece is 21 now but when she was 17 they the girls were going as far as changing their names on whatsapp/facebook etc to correspond to their fake ID to fool bouncers.

it is a hard job to be fair.

17 year olds can look 30 these days

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

mikemac2 wrote: »

Do you view the Gardai as there to help you for some out of control situations or maybe do you view them as a threat and they will want to prosecute you after a big fight?

Maybe both?

I would certainly view them as an asset. We have a great relationship with the Gardaí who would often chat away to us outside.
That being said, you’re always careful when they’re around, even in the way you might speak to an aggressive individual, as you’d never know how they’d react. A decision you make in a split second could lead to them reporting you to the Private Security Authority.

thomasm

Have you ever had anyone accuse you of discrimination for refusing to allow entry?

Woke Hogan

Virtually every bouncer I have met on nights out has been an angry mucksavage meathead who thinks he’s playing guard for the night, yet bouncers often complain about their poor reputation. Do you think bouncers have a poor reputation and if so is it justified in your view?

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

B_ecke_r wrote: »

my niece is 21 now but when she was 17 they the girls were going as far as changing their names on whatsapp/facebook etc to correspond to their fake ID to fool bouncers.

it is a hard job to be fair.

17 year olds can look 30 these days

Usually these fake IDs are just somebody else’s ID who happens to look like them on the ID photo. Asking for 2 forms of ID usually works for this, as chances are they’ll look completely different on another ID.

It is very difficult I must say, especially with girls. I’m sure we’ve turned away many girls who were in fact over 18 thinking that there ID wasn’t theirs.

What town / city did you start?

Who are your favourite and easiest clients? What do you think of Trip Advisor reviews?

Hoboo

Do you think bouncers should be tested for steroids? Any I've known were a complete liability.

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

thomasm wrote: »

Have you ever had anyone accuse you of discrimination for refusing to allow entry?

Every. Single. Night.

There are some individuals that if you ask for a second form of ID you are called a racist. People will pull any card when they’re drunk and desperate. It certainly doesn’t strike fear in our hearts.

devlinio

A club I go never check ID. In the 3 years, I've been going there, they have never asked people in the queue for ID. There are often 16-year-olds in there, who just walk on in. This is probably due to the fact that the club can be quiet a lot of the time, but still.

bucketybuck

Are you going to tell us that all bouncers are professional and full of courtesy at all times, or would you accept that many have a real attitude problem?

Whatever about kids and nightclubs, what do you think about "doormen" at quiet bars blocking entrances and staring at grown adults who just wanted to go in and spend some money on a pint, and who perhaps would rather not have to pass an entrance inspection for the privilege?

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

Woke Hogan wrote: »

Virtually every bouncer I have met on nights out has been an angry mucksavage meathead who thinks he’s playing guard for the night, yet bouncers often complain about their poor reputation. Do you think bouncers have a poor reputation and if so is it justified in your view?

While I can’t speak about your experiences, I find no matter what we do we’re criticised. Somebody could break someone’s nose inside the club and if we throw him out he’ll go and tell everyone about the “meathead bouncerz throwing me out for doin nuttin in that stupid club”. Magically, everyone who ever has a bad experience with security is always completely innocent and did nothing wrong.

Also, to your comment about thinking they’re playing guard for the night. We don’t think it. We know it. We’re security guards it’s what we’re paid to do.

That being said they’re are always the idiots looking for a fight, just like every other profession, so sometimes it is justified.

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

Hoboo wrote: »

Do you think bouncers should be tested for steroids? Any I've known were a complete liability.

I’ll have to say where I work we actually don’t have any of those types. I’m no Arnold Schwarzenegger myself.

With regard to the testing, I’d see it as quite a breach of privacy.

ayux4rj6zql2ph

Do you find that that since the inception of the Private Security Authority in 2004 that it has helped clean up the industry? Such as door supervisor's with criminal convictions.

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

[Deleted User] wrote: »

What town / city did you start?

Who are your favourite and easiest clients? What do you think of Trip Advisor reviews?

I’d rather not say to avoid being identified.

I’ve only ever really worked with people in the 18-25 age group, I’ve only rarely worked with other groups.

I think when it comes to nightclubs they always have pretty bad reviews. I think this is because most people who have a good night won’t bother with a review, but if someone is annoyed at being kicked out they’ll make sure to write the worst review possible.

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

Cohen Flat Ragamuffin wrote: »

Do you find that that since the inception of the Private Security Authority in 2004 that it has helped clean up the industry? Such as door supervisor's with criminal convictions.

I’m afraid I’m not qualified to answer that, as I was neither working as a bouncer nor old enough to go into a club in 2004!

But from what I hear from colleagues, the security industry has come leaps and bounds since it was established. There is certainly no place in security for an individual with assault convictions.

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

devlinio wrote: »

A club I go never check ID. In the 3 years, I've been going there, they have never asked people in the queue for ID. There are often 16-year-olds in there, who just walk on in. This is probably due to the fact that the club can be quiet a lot of the time, but still.

That club is certainly leaving themselves open to major trouble. It will catch up to them sooner or later.

circadian

Are you a boardsie regular? Do you tell unruly patrons that there will be the "Banhammer" if they don't wise up?

I worked in a bar as a student in England. The local Rugby team was sponsored by the bar so you'd have regular idiots trying to start fights with a bunch of huge lads from the team, the bouncers had a thankless task of dealing with it. It's not an easy number. In fact, the town had a banned from one banned from all policy which I think is a good idea, I have no idea if that's implemented in Ireland.

Hoboo

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA wrote: »

I’ll have to say where I work we actually don’t have any of those types. I’m no Arnold Schwarzenegger myself.

With regard to the testing, I’d see it as quite a breach of privacy.

Drug testing is part and parcel of many jobs. Not a breach of privacy at all, I'd see it as a necessary precaution for public safety.

Cheers for the reply all the same.

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

bucketybuck wrote: »

Are you going to tell us that all bouncers are professional and full of courtesy at all times, or would you accept that many have a real attitude problem?

Whatever about kids and nightclubs, what do you think about "doormen" at quiet bars blocking entrances and staring at grown adults who just wanted to go in and spend some money on a pint, and who perhaps would rather not have to pass an entrance inspection for the privilege?

Of course bouncers are not always professional and full of courtesy, and of course some have an attitude problem. At the end of the day though, often we are dealing with completely irrational individuals. When I first started working in security I was always nice and treated everyone with courtesy, but trust me you realize very quickly that it won’t get you anywhere. I think with nightclub security in particular you sometimes need to be seen to be a bit ignorant, even if you’re not.

Would you be professional and courteous if you were trying to explain to the 90th person to be thrown out that night why they weren’t allowed back on the premises?

With regard to the bouncers at regular bars, I think often it’s management making the decisions on who should and shouldn’t get in. I worked briefly at a bar where the manager gave me strict instructions on the type of individual that was to be permitted entry, and would come and complain to me if they didn’t like the look of someone inside.
Needless to say I left after a few nights.

funkey_monkey

In light of the tragedy in Cookstown, what is your clubs strategy for dealing with large crowds and how often do you revise your protocols?
Does a tragedy like that give you a sense of concern about your role?

Do you believe that some bouncers just dont like some people? And is it ever possible to change a bouncers mind?
I'm in my mid 30s, and got rejected from a pub on a work night out for being too drunk. Now I accept I had a fair number of pints, but I wasn't any worse than the rest of the crowd. I was the only person to be refused
I left it, and went home.

Fast forward a few weeks, and 4 of us from work walked up to the same pub. This time, I know for certain, that two of my colleagues were a lot worse than me. Same bouncer picked me out, and said I was too drunk, but allowed the other three to enter. They all decided not to, and we walked around the corner to another pub, and had no issues.

Now I have never been kicked out of the initial pub, nor do I go there too often (not a fan).
I've been going to pub for a long time, and I accept when I am too drunk to get into a pub, and I feel I was fine to enter the pub on both nights.
The only reason I think I got refused, was that the bouncer thought I was someone else, or he just doesn't like the look of me.
Do you think things like this happen, and what were my options? I felt like I had no choice, and didnt bother entertaining the bouncer (It was the same bouncer on both nights)

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

circadian wrote: »

Are you a boardsie regular? Do you tell unruly patrons that there will be the "Banhammer" if they don't wise up?

I worked in a bar as a student in England. The local Rugby team was sponsored by the bar so you'd have regular idiots trying to start fights with a bunch of huge lads from the team, the bouncers had a thankless task of dealing with it. It's not an easy number. In fact, the town had a banned from one banned from all policy which I think is a good idea, I have no idea if that's implemented in Ireland.

I certainly am not a regular poster, but I spend a lot of time stalking threads!
It certainly is a thankless job, but I’m ok with that too. People can dislike me all I want, I’ll still get paid.

I’ve heard that banned from one banned from all policy being implemented in a few areas, but I’m not sure how it works in practice.

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

funkey_monkey wrote: »

In light of the tragedy in Cookstown, what is your clubs strategy for dealing with large crowds and how often do you revise your protocols?
Does a tragedy like that give you a sense of concern about your role?

We have security personnel staggering the queue during busy nights. This along with promptly removing anyone who is intentionally pushing keeps the queue relatively calm. With regard to protocol, I can’t remember the last time but you can be damn sure there’ll be a talk about it after Sunday’s tragedy.
It certainly makes you think about how easily something like that can happen if you’re too lax about procedure.

Balmed Out

I worked in a hotel as a student, during a function many of the guests were from a well known criminal family. They and another group went at each other thowing chairs, tables etc. The bouncers contacted other city centre venues and pretty soon there must have been two dozen bouncers sorting them out.
Is this a normal thing where if theres a lot of trouble all the neighboring venues help out and have you ever had to help with a large incident like that?

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

Balmed Out wrote: »

I worked in a hotel as a student, during a function many of the guests were from a well known criminal family. They and another group went at each other thowing chairs, tables etc. The bouncers contacted other city centre venues and pretty soon there must have been two dozen bouncers sorting them out.
Is this a normal thing where if theres a lot of trouble all the neighboring venues help out and have you ever had to help with a large incident like that?

To be honest that’s the first I’ve heard of a situation like that! I’m sure if there was a neighboring venue in need of assistance some of us would be sent, but only if our venue was quiet. If we were full to capacity there’s no way we would be able to spare anyone!

Touch wood I’ll never be in a situation like it.

helimachoptor

great AMA.

Have you ever come up against someone you cant handle even in a group?

A few years back in a place in Galway, one of the guys i was with was accused of sexually assaulting a girl, he'd left the table to go to the toilet and bar.
To cut a long story short he was ask to leave, he said no wanted to see manager/evidence etc. His GF said he hadnt done anything and she was told to "shut your trough you fat pig". Anyway stuff escalated quickly 3 bouncers got knocked out and one was getting choked out before reinforcements arrived and erm subdued him.

Just for scale, he's 6'6 probably over 110Kg and had been doing BJJ ( i think) for a while at the time.


"the go around the block and get a coffee/something to eat" does that ever work :pac:

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Do you believe that some bouncers just dont like some people? And is it ever possible to change a bouncers mind?
I'm in my mid 30s, and got rejected from a pub on a work night out for being too drunk. Now I accept I had a fair number of pints, but I wasn't any worse than the rest of the crowd. I was the only person to be refused
I left it, and went home.

Fast forward a few weeks, and 4 of us from work walked up to the same pub. This time, I know for certain, that two of my colleagues were a lot worse than me. Same bouncer picked me out, and said I was too drunk, but allowed the other three to enter. They all decided not to, and we walked around the corner to another pub, and had no issues.

Now I have never been kicked out of the initial pub, nor do I go there too often (not a fan).
I've been going to pub for a long time, and I accept when I am too drunk to get into a pub, and I feel I was fine to enter the pub on both nights.
The only reason I think I got refused, was that the bouncer thought I was someone else, or he just doesn't like the look of me.
Do you think things like this happen, and what were my options? I felt like I had no choice, and didnt bother entertaining the bouncer (It was the same bouncer on both nights)

If I was to guess I’d say he most likely is mistaking you for somebody else. It has happened to me on a few occasions where I’ve tirned somebody away thinking they were another individual who has caused trouble in the club before.
It certainly is possible to change a bouncer’s mind. We’ve often turned people away only to let them in after they talk to us for a while and seem to sober up a bit. That being said, if we turn you away and you get any bit aggressive towards us, there’s no way you’re getting in.

connemara man

How enforceable is the over 21s policy or any age that's over 18.

People are of legal drinking age it feels like the venue would need a special license

Chancer3001

How often do you get offered "the ride "

Every bouncer i know cleans up with the ladies.

I guess its a combo of usually being in good shape, nor being drunk and having authority

helimachoptor

Not sure what city you're in but from experience over the last while the use of coke seems mental.

how often do you come across obvious signs people are using in your club?

Thoie

What kind of training, if any, do you get? Are you trained on recognising "real" IDs, de-escalation techniques, physically restraining people? Or do you just pick it up as you go along?

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

helimachoptor wrote: »

great AMA.

Have you ever come up against someone you cant handle even in a group?

A few years back in a place in Galway, one of the guys i was with was accused of sexually assaulting a girl, he'd left the table to go to the toilet and bar.
To cut a long story short he was ask to leave, he said no wanted to see manager/evidence etc. His GF said he hadnt done anything and she was told to "shut your trough you fat pig". Anyway stuff escalated quickly 3 bouncers got knocked out and one was getting choked out before reinforcements arrived and erm subdued him.

Just for scale, he's 6'6 probably over 110Kg and had been doing BJJ ( i think) for a while at the time.


"the go around the block and get a coffee/something to eat" does that ever work :pac:

We certainly have. it’s always the taller and heavier guys. You can usually tell if they’re going to be difficult to remove and can get the necessary amount of security to remove him.

That being said, sometimes there’s already a fight kicking off and you just have to jump in yourself and hope help isn’t far behind! If one of us was ever to be knocked out or choked like your story, you can be damn sure they’re getting arrested and will be prosecuted.

Sometimes when I want to remove a large individual who is maybe getting a bit too drunk I’ll ask them to come into the next room where it’s more quiet and that I need to ask him I question. I’ll then keep doing that in every room until we’re eventually at the front door and there’s a lot of security there to back me up. Drink makes you quite gullible!

We use this quite a bit. We tell them to head down to the shop or a chipper and get something to eat. We know that food doesn’t actually sober you up, but if he’s a little too tipsy then he’ll be grand 20 minutes later when he comes back after waiting for food or whatever.
We do have the odd person who comes back in a worse state of inebriation again, and thinks that they’re now entitled to enter since they left and got chips.

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

connemara man wrote: »

How enforceable is the over 21s policy or any age that's over 18.

People are of legal drinking age it feels like the venue would need a special license

Venues are more than entitled to enforce whatever age requirement they want, but it has to be applied uniformly. You can’t have an over 20’s bar but let in a group of 18 year olds because they’re locals and they’re ‘sound’.

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

Chancer3001 wrote: »

How often do you get offered "the ride "

Every bouncer i know cleans up with the ladies.

I guess its a combo of usually being in good shape, nor being drunk and having authority

As a fairly young lad myself, I was surprised at the amount of women approaching you chatting you up. I’m no male model, and I still get women who wouldn’t look at me normally trying to flirt with me.
I’ve never been ‘offered’ the ride, but I’ve had women looking to go home with me, but I would never do it.

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

helimachoptor wrote: »

Not sure what city you're in but from experience over the last while the use of coke seems mental.

how often do you come across obvious signs people are using in your club?

I must say it is quite widespread these days. Often when you go into bathroom cubicles you’ll see empty, and sometimes full, bags of what appears to be cocaine.
You’ll often be in the bathroom and hear somebody sniffling with a terribly bad cold inside the cubicle, so you remove them from the premises.

I'm a nightclub bouncer, AMA

Thoie wrote: »

What kind of training, if any, do you get? Are you trained on recognising "real" IDs, de-escalation techniques, physically restraining people? Or do you just pick it up as you go along?

We receive very minimal training in recognising IDs. This is mainly because the issue with IDs usually isnt that they’re fake, it’s that they’re using somebody else’s ID.

We received quite a bit of conflict management training including de-escalation. We also learn about arm and wrist locks that we can use to safely remove individuals. While these locks are good in theory, sometimes it’s more effective to go with the good old bear hug!

heretothere

I have worked in bars/ clubs in my student years and I have know a lot of bouncers from going out and know that most have normal human responses. But why are some such pricks about going to the loo before leaving?! I have IBS, the last time I was in a club the bouncer spent 15 mins fighting with me before thankfully the manager came over and said let the girl down to the loo.

If he had just let me down it would have saved us all a lot of time. I was in no state to drive a car, but neither was I falling around the place.

begbysback

I have a question sir - why, in the name of holy baby Jesus, would anyone want to work on a door of a nightclub?

Bummer1234

Interesting AMA so thanks,

Since you started bouncing,Has yourself seen the nightclub scene change in anyway?

Also....When your finished on this thread, Could you shout "right folks please!" :pac: