Bouncers in pubs/clubs

Dragan · 18-03-2008 02:33PM

Boggles wrote: »

This might limit "Personality Clashes".

Sadly i don't think anything will ever completely remove personality clashes from the work place entirely but there are most assuredly steps that can be taken to improve the situation.

cheridere · 18-03-2008 02:34PM

Gummy Panda wrote: »

Like I said, generally from my experience of bouncers they are power hungry assholes and i stand by it.

This is also my experience, and Swords is one of the worst towns for this.

Irishcrx · 18-03-2008 02:34PM

I've only been refused once, to be honest when you come to the door a simple "Hows it going" or "Hello" can be the differance with getting in, a bit of manners can come in handy. I got refused from our xmas party last year, was a private function room and the guy let my girlfriend in and just said "Not tonight" I explained it's aprivate function and he wouldn't even check it for me,. said it was because I was wearing jeans, so I had to go home get changed and come back in. The CEO of my company got wind of it and the guy got in all sorts of trouble ended up getting a free meal and free drinks all night coupon to come back valid for a year and a hearty apologie from the bouncer cause when I got in everyone was wearing jeans!

Boggles · 18-03-2008 02:36PM

Dragan wrote: »

Sadly i don't think anything will ever completely remove personality clashes from the work place entirely but there are most assuredly steps that can be taken to improve the situation.

Well that could be a good business idea for you or someone else. Doorman school with proper recognised qualifications. Probably done already thou, is it?

t-ha · 18-03-2008 02:40PM

Boggles wrote: »

The customer is the most important element to any business, this "accept me for what I am" simply does not wash, you are getting paid to do a job, you cannot take it personally. If you do you shouldn't be in the job.

Things might be changing now like you say, but back when I was doing door-work the idea of some-one not spending their money in the establishment where I worked was an unbelievably lame threat since we always filled up and had to close the doors because we couldn't take any more people. You don't want to come back again or spend your money here? No problem - there was always a crowd of people waiting to take your place. Same with the "I make more money in a week than you make in a month" stuff. For one, I made alot more money than people probably suspected & secondly, even if that's true you're still going outside but now I think you're a pretentious jerk.

Dragan · 18-03-2008 02:46PM

Boggles wrote: »

Well that could be a good business idea for you or someone else. Doorman school with proper recognised qualifications. Probably done already thou, is it?

Well the ISTA and PSA are set up to train and regulate the industry now.

The cover the basics well but in my experience, in any role, to overcome certain personality traits takes a LOT of training. This will need to be paid for by someone and i really don't see pub/clubs oweners offering to do that, especially in an industry where staff turnover can be very, very high.

For me, the key was and always will be the Head Doorman. They tend to set the tone for the way the door will run and will normally hire and fire accordingly.

Wertz · 18-03-2008 02:52PM

ibh wrote: »

My biggest gripe with bouncers (and managers / proprieters etc) is this bull**** about not being allowed in cause i'm wearing trainers.. WTF is the craic with that?? I'm not talking about a pair of Nike Airmax or anything. Anything that doesn't look like it was made by Clarks and you're not getting in.. BTW i'm talking about in dundalk. I went to Uni in Belfast and it was never a problem, nor in London or pretty much any other country / city i've been in.

Don't really go to Dublin but i presume its the same there.

Dundalk eh? lol
I quit going out in Dundalk years ago due to the dress code policy and general attitude of managers/owners/doorstaff. I like my clothes, like sports stuff (NOT trackies/airmax) and I don't like being told to dress like everyone else (perhaps this is the real "tell" of a possible troublemaker? Problems with authority, refusal to conform?)...therefore most pubs (well the ones in Park St anyways) are off limits....this is due to them being mostly owned by the same couple of owners who have a jilted view of what they want their clientelle to be, and aspire to the lofty heights of social class that a sh*thole like Dundalk has no business aspiring to...
They certainly don't want anyone that looks remotely like they just strolled out of the nearest council estate, lest it scare away people who are dressed "properly", so it's easier to just generally ban anyone who doesn't conform to the dubarry/farah/magee "look"...
I can understand a 5 star hotel in the middle of Dublin having policies like this...I can't understand businesses wishing to attract young monied revellers turning away those who don't look "right". I can understand it even less when many of these premises are supposedly struggling for business.

Dragan · 18-03-2008 03:04PM

Let me put it this way. I used to work in a well known pub on the Southside.

After i stopped working there i was no longer allowed in because i was "not the type of customer they were looking for." This was explained to me by the new manager because the door staff refused to follow his wishes and stop me at the door.

So, i was good enough to work there, but not drink there.

All you can do is chuckle and move on guys.

Wertz · 18-03-2008 03:22PM

Dragan wrote: »

Let me put it this way. I used to work in a well known pub on the Southside.

After i stopped working there i was no longer allowed in because i was "not the type of customer they were looking for." This was explained to me by the new manager because the door staff refused to follow his wishes and stop me at the door.

So, i was good enough to work there, but not drink there.

All you can do is chuckle and move on guys.

I'm of similar experience...have worked in the construction/remodelling/decoration of a few pubs in this town....at the opening party for one particular pub, I was turned away at the door (the place wasn't even open to the public yet), until I managed to get the owner on the phone and he instructed a manager to let me in.
I didn't try to get back into the place for a few months afterward, but when I did, I got the same "not tonight" crap...I asked for the manager by name, but when he appeared he told me entry was at discretion of door staff; aye, right. :rolleyes:
It's great, you break your bollocks for months, helping to get a place open on time and looking good, then you're told "we don't like your type around here".
Sure, you move on, but it doesn't make it right. To be fair this is much bigger than just doorstaff....

Susannahmia · 18-03-2008 03:35PM

I usually don't have any problems getting in anywhere as long as I have my id but recently a bouncer in my regular Maynooth pub has been causing me some hassle.

Every time the guy is at the door he stops me and asks me where I am coming from. Most of the time its from home. Or from another pub where I would have had two at the most. Then he tells me I look drunk, usually I would have drank little or nothing!

Then he lets me in with a warning and acts like he is doing me a huge
favour. :rolleyes:

The last time I asked him why he always stopped me on this, his response was "well you do look drunk".

I'm starting to get paranoid now that theres something about me that makes me look like a drunk!:o:(

Dragan · 18-03-2008 03:44PM

Susannahmia wrote: »

I'm starting to get paranoid now that theres something about me that makes me look like a drunk!:o:(

Is it possible you have bought new shoes?

I'm deadly serious, i stopped a girl one night because i thought she was hammered, she then explained that she had just bought new shoes and couldn't walk in them yet.

I asked her why the hell she would wear them out and her reply was "because they look lovely."

I will never understand the pain you girls put yourselves through in the name of shoes.

Susannahmia · 18-03-2008 03:53PM

Dragan wrote: »

Is it possible you have bought new shoes?

I'm deadly serious, i stopped a girl one night because i thought she was hammered, she then explained that she had just bought new shoes and couldn't walk in them yet.

I asked her why the hell she would wear them out and her reply was "because they look lovely."

I will never understand the pain you girls put yourselves through in the name of shoes.

I have been wearing boots with a heel recently and I find them very comfortable. Unlike most girls I will not wear a pair of shoes out unless they don't hurt me. The only thing I can think of is that I have a very very slight lazy eye that is possibly noticeable when I am tired etc. Either that or maybe when I see that particular bouncer my body language changes as he has stopped me before.

If he does it again I may have to repress the urge to slap him!:)

briantwin · 18-03-2008 04:02PM

Susannahmia wrote: »

I usually don't have any problems getting in anywhere as long as I have my id but recently a bouncer in my regular Maynooth pub has been causing me some hassle.
(

I think i know the pub and i know the little f*cker too. He's always stopping me goin into that pub if its the one thats name rhymes with gradys. He's a little power tripper. I've lived in Maynooth all my life and get along with the manager really well too. Everytime the manager sees me getting refused he comes out and invites me in. Sadly he's not always there, the other thing is that I very rarely approach the place if i've had any drink at all this is down to him looking for any excuse to turn me away. All the other bouncers are sound and a good laugh, i've been to lots of partys with them and they're good sorts.

The thing with this guy is he tries every trick in the book, "Not tonight, we're full!" even though 20 people just left as i approach the door. "Only regulars tonight!" Even though i've been drinking there since before his little fat arse ever landed in Maynooth. "I dont like the look of ya!" Even though i always dress well (not in a suit and tie but shirt and and jeans, a pair of Cons). Its just his way and there is nothing that can really be done about it. The next time it happens i'll be writing a letter to the management.

Susannahmia · 18-03-2008 04:06PM

briantwin wrote: »

I think i know the pub and i know the little f*cker too. He's always stopping me goin into that pub if its the one thats name rhymes with gradys.

Nope I've never had a problem with that pub or bouncer (probably because I'm female) . It's the other big pub that I'm talking about.

HammerHeadGym · 18-03-2008 04:18PM

robric wrote: »

so because you dont like the look of someone you dont let them in, but someone that you like the look of gets in, isnt that just proving the point about the power hungry thing...... you ruin peoples night out because you have a vibe. nice one

Perhaps you'd like to suggest a fair and equal (not to mention foolproof) alternative. With the 15 seconds or so alloted to each customer you have to make a fast and decisive choice. As a human being you're bound to miss now and again. It's nothing to do with being power hungry. Do you think after he refuses you he's getting the back slap from the mates telling him 'nice one, that fella might have ended up enjoying himself'. I can absolutely guarantee, if you haven't insulted the chap, the bouncer has no opinion of you one way or the other.

SW81 · 18-03-2008 04:21PM

Being a girl I have never really had any problems. Only difficulty with any bouncer has been with one particular bouncer in Krsytal. Apparently if you're not in Rosanna Davidson's gang or haven't shagged Brian O'Driscoll he won't let you in. In fairness to the other bouncers there they're lovely but when we see that one particular guy we don't even bother now. We were on the Guestlist a few months ago, I've never felt so smug in my life, you could see it physically hurt his brain to let us in

We've given up going there now anyway, there's only so much "Oh my Gawd what is he/she wearing" you can take, gone back to more "normal" pubs now. But he's by far the worst I've ever come across.

Anyway apart from that power tripper I've never had any problems in Dublin. I've found male friends have had hassle in country town pubs more than Dublin ones too.

HammerHeadGym · 18-03-2008 04:23PM

Wertz wrote: »

...have worked in the construction/remodelling/decoration of a few pubs in this town... entry was at discretion of door staff; aye, right... you break your bollocks for months, helping to get a place open on time and looking good, then you're told "we don't like your type around here"...

Same thing has happened me and I agree it is sh!t, but on the other hand, you were paid for your work were you not?

Clare Bear · 18-03-2008 04:41PM

SW81 wrote: »

Being a girl I have never really had any problems. Only difficulty with any bouncer has been with one particular bouncer in Krsytal. Apparently if you're not in Rosanna Davidson's gang or haven't shagged Brian O'Driscoll he won't let you in. In fairness to the other bouncers there they're lovely but when we see that one particular guy we don't even bother now. We were on the Guestlist a few months ago, I've never felt so smug in my life, you could see it physically hurt his brain to let us in We've given up going there now anyway, there's only so much "Oh my Gawd what is he/she wearing" you can take, gone back to more "normal" pubs now. But he's by far the worst I've ever come across.

Anyway apart from that power tripper I've never had any problems in Dublin. I've found male friends have had hassle in country town pubs more than Dublin ones too.

Ah yes, the Will Ferrell lookalike I take it? Don't worry you're not alone there. I know a lot of people who have stopped going there (including moi) because of that eejit. Actually he's done me a favour, have had enough of that poser infested establishment to last me a lifetime.

Maybe we should have a positive twist to this and say where the bouncers are nice? I vote for Diceys on Harcourt Street. Always great craic, polite and friendly. Most places in Dublin are grand though from my point of view, only problem for me has ever been Krystle but good riddance anyway.

I also know who you are talking about in Maynooth Susannahmia and Briantwin. Friends of mine have had major hassle with one in particular, despite having lived in Maynooth for almost 10 years and never having caused trouble. I don't know, maybe they're just very bored in their job and get a kick out of these little power trips.

Mr.Plough · 18-03-2008 04:41PM

I've never had much trouble anywhere until this weekend where I was refused from velvet. I was told it was members only, but it was because of one of my friends who looks a bit rough, added to the fact it was a bank holiday weekend and I'd never been there before. We went up to the slaughtered lamb instead where the bouncers are more lenient and my god that place is rough. Thank god for strict bouncers I say.

Also, since when does chuck norris do the door in the harp??

Susannahmia wrote: »

Nope I've never had a problem with that pub or bouncer (probably because I'm female) . It's the other big pub that I'm talking about.

I know the pub you're talking about. Usually the bouncers are fine if you say "hello/hows it going" rather then walking up looking awkward and uncomfortable saying nothing. It's a bit of a barndance up there anyway you're better off jumping on the train into the city.

cock a doodle do

briantwin · 18-03-2008 04:46PM

Susannahmia wrote: »

Nope I've never had a problem with that pub or bouncer (probably because I'm female) . It's the other big pub that I'm talking about.

Thats true. That other pub you're talkin about is generally ok for letting people in IMO. I think that the best thing you could do is call down to the pub earlier than usual and explain to the bouncer in question what you already explained in your previous post. If anything it'll show him that you're a reasonable person and may change his opinion and build some kind of a rapport if nothing else. I got barred one time from there for nothing and after much refusal at the door, i called into the place early in the day and spoke to the manager who saw i wasn't a skanger / skobe or a troublemaker and let me in from then on, never had a problem since.

HammerHeadGym · 18-03-2008 04:50PM

Boggles wrote: »

...The customer is the most important element to any business, ...

While I agree in principal you also have to factor in, will this person spend more money than he scares out by not fitting in with the general consensus. Deep isn't it?

Dragan · 18-03-2008 04:57PM

HammerHeadGym wrote: »

While I agree in principal you also have to factor in, will this person spend more money than he scares out by not fitting in with the general consensus. Deep isn't it?

Careful now, you'll get told your not a real doorman next if you keep thinking like that.

Remember, common knowledge says forehead furrowed with knuckles scraping the floor. People get scared when you break stereotypes.

Wertz · 18-03-2008 05:02PM

HammerHeadGym wrote: »

Same thing has happened me and I agree it is sh!t, but on the other hand, you were paid for your work were you not?

Granted, I got paid, as anyone could expect....but that said, I'm willing to spend some of that hard earned in the damn place...unfortunately the problem of gaining admission persists.
I don't dwell on it, plenty of other pubs; but as I mentioned in my initial post, I've given up going out in this town for the most part, and I don't really miss it if truth be told. Just a bit hard to meet new people when you're sitting round in a mate's gaffs drinking instead of going out. That said, it's safer, no random c*nt is going to stick a bottle in your face on the way out...and it's damn sight cheaper so meh...

HammerHeadGym · 18-03-2008 05:08PM

Oh yeah, I mean

Not toonite ladz, underage birdz with big tits only. Me bouncer, me incapable of complex decisions based on a number of dynamic variables. Me asshole by default. Me totally comfortable with the fact that any time someone gets refused it gets chalked up as a 'bad experience of bouncers' but when someone goes into a nightclub and enjoys themselves, doesn't get their ass grabbed or the handbag snatched or the crap kicked out of them it is never a 'good experience of bouncers', it is as though the bouncers don't exist anymore. Me is think that we only exist when someone's night doesn't go exactly as planned.

Dragan · 18-03-2008 05:12PM

There we go.

I hope everyone is more comfortable now!!

Boggles · 18-03-2008 05:19PM

Yer all crazy. I havn't been outside my house since the smoking ban!

briantwin · 18-03-2008 05:20PM

Its mad but one night myself and a friend were allowed into Dandoline on Stephens Green while pretty pissed and looking rough. There was group of well dressed guys and gals in front of us who were refused (2 couples i think). Anyway we'd been drinking all day and full as bingo buses when we got to the door. The doormen asked us where we were coming from and my mate misunderstanding (in his state) the question replied Monaghan. Neither of us were well dressed in fact i was dressed down far more than normal and we were let straight in. Its like they were running a "every second group" allowed in, with no regard for the actual people walking up. Does this actually take place in some clubs?

all the stars · 18-03-2008 05:28PM

hmmm..... some bouncers are just on this crazy superiority thing... i cant understand it... go to london, they ARE SO polite...

Its bad - when i was at my college graduation in Galway, we had it in one of the hotels by the railway. Was lovely- 5 course meal... with family, boyfriend & dad.. all very civilised- 2 glasses of wine with meal.. went down to halo for our afters, you know, without the adults to go dance like lunatics and enjoy the VIP Area designated for my grad party of 60/70 & their guests. I got to the door, looking fab, with my 2 brothers & boyfriend - all dressed up a la grad party as you do to be told "no, you've had way too much" to my other half,, who had 2 glasses of vino same as myself.

After explaining the case politely... was refused entry to my own graduation party just coz they employed some gob sh*te... needless to say i was disgusted.

Dragan · 18-03-2008 06:27PM

all the stars wrote: »

hmmm..... some bouncers are just on this crazy superiority thing... i cant understand it... go to london, they ARE SO polite...

Its bad - when i was at my college graduation in Galway, we had it in one of the hotels by the railway. Was lovely- 5 course meal... with family, boyfriend & dad.. all very civilised- 2 glasses of wine with meal.. went down to halo for our afters, you know, without the adults to go dance like lunatics and enjoy the VIP Area designated for my grad party of 60/70 & their guests. I got to the door, looking fab, with my 2 brothers & boyfriend - all dressed up a la grad party as you do to be told "no, you've had way too much" to my other half,, who had 2 glasses of vino same as myself.

After explaining the case politely... was refused entry to my own graduation party just coz they employed some gob sh*te... needless to say i was disgusted.

You were going to Halo.

Thats most likely the main problem there.

df1985 · 18-03-2008 06:34PM

briantwin wrote: »

Its mad but one night myself and a friend were allowed into Dandoline on Stephens Green while pretty pissed and looking rough. There was group of well dressed guys and gals in front of us who were refused (2 couples i think). Anyway we'd been drinking all day and full as bingo buses when we got to the door. The doormen asked us where we were coming from and my mate misunderstanding (in his state) the question replied Monaghan. Neither of us were well dressed in fact i was dressed down far more than normal and we were let straight in. Its like they were running a "every second group" allowed in, with no regard for the actual people walking up. Does this actually take place in some clubs?

ive heard of random things going on like that-i heard one place that faces a building with a big clock on it.every even minute people allowed in, on the odd minute people refused.tbh i thinks thats rubbish, the people who come up with this type of rumour are the people who get turned away regularly from places and are looking for something to blame.of course its the big clocks fault, not the fact they look ****ed or just look plain knackery.
i have a few friends who are turned away from quite a few places. gets really annoying.they go on like it was completely random but sometimes i look at them and know exactly why there turned away.they havent shaved, have greasy hair wearing a cheap tshirt and dirty jeans.of course if i told them that id be the biggest prick ever.sometimes i just want to scream at them to "make a ****in effort!!"
the whole argument about places being over 21/22/23-yes some places have this policy but if you look decent enough you'll get in regardless.since 18 i have never once been turned away from anywhere, includin places where i was under the age they wanted people over.im touching the wooden table as i type this-probably will be turned away from everywhere next weekend!!

Bouncers in pubs/clubs

Comments