Just got hired as a BOUNCER, tips?

[B~RAD]

So I'm back home for the summer after college. one of the two gyms hired me back, the other all ready had spots filled. So my buddy who's about 6"4 290 told me i could take his spot bouncing when he moves in a few days. I got hired today.

I'm starting sometime next week and though some bouncers on here could give me some advice. I heard some pretty good stories from the guy.

What's the best way to conduct yourself so that things run smoothly?

BTW I'm only 170 pounds so I'm probably not going to be able to be intimidating.

 

[SmallTownIron]

Not the size of the dog in the fight Brad, it the size of the fight in the dog.

But stay professional, be mature and dont let your ego get in the way.

 

[mruhaul]

i was a bouncer for several years before my current profession...and i can tell you a sign of a good bouncer is one that can use communication more often than violence to achieve the same results

 

[Sammich]

Smooth talking and a keen wit will serve you (in particular) much better than being huge. Leave people a way out of a situation that lets them save face, pride, and ego. That being said, know when to stop talking and throw someone the fuck out.

 

[myosin]

Few Idea's...

So I'm back home for the summer after college. one of the two gyms hired me back, the other all ready had spots filled. So my buddy who's about 6"4 290 told me i could take his spot bouncing when he moves in a few days. I got hired today.

I'm starting sometime next week and though some bouncers on here could give me some advice. I heard some pretty good stories from the guy.

What's the best way to conduct yourself so that things run smoothly?

BTW I'm only 170 pounds so I'm probably not going to be able to be intimidating.

Some of these will be used individually depending on the situation, a combination, or all of them together situation dictating....

Treat them nice, treat them cool, treat them direct, treat them like a child.

1) Treat them nice: You say what you need/should/supposed to say, but in a simply friendly way. You can be firm AND have a smile at the same time... sounds weird, BUT, ego's abound, so it offer's a less confrontational situation. Especially if they are with their girlfriend (they gotta be a "big-man" dontcha-know). Show respect... get respect.

2) Treat them cool: stay CALM if they give you a hard time. Try to "win them over" showing them you are actually on their side... "Hey, I know, you found a good spot to sit and I wouldn't want to have move over either, but...." "Hey, it looks like you guys are having a really great time over here, I wish I could join in. But, listen, if you don't mind guys, some of the people over there were complaining about 'x' 'y' 'z'. I need to ask for you turn it down a few notches." If anyone ever escalates, you never show any ruffled feathers. A calm demeanor can de-escalate ALOT of situations.

3) Treat them direct: it's simple... people don't think- they really don't, it's amazing. Not to go into details here, but as a leader, I learned so much about people simply when I was a parking lot attendant. You need to be specific with the people of what you are looking for/want from them.

4) Treat them like a child: it actually gives them a false sense of "control." What I do with my 6 year old daughter- I give her a choice on something, BUT, either situation is something is what I want. "Well, I can't have you guys hang out in this area right now, but, you could go either over to 'A' or over to 'B'". Again, this gives them the feeling they are still in control and not being told what to do.

 

[Nssca]

Just remember to consider the source...most are drunk or on their way to getting there..
Your not a COP so don't think you can kick some ass and not go to jail.
If your in over your head back off and let the police deal with it.
Just keep the peace and try to keep all safe...what else can ya do.
Oh... and keep looking for another job..LOL

 

[w8tlifterty]

Be careful, be nice, and treat ppl w/ respect. You seem like a good kid so this should be no problem.

--I use to 'bounce' at a local club several years ago and had to escort someone out. His girl was irate and carrying on in the front where we checked ID's and I couldn't calm her down.... seconds later she blurts out, "f*ck you white boy, take this..." next thing I know I'm laying on the ground in the most agonizing pain I've ever been in. She reared back and kicked me square in the nuts w/ all her might. I took two steps to try and chase her, then threw up and fell to the ground in the fetal position... I quit the next day!!!!

 

[BIG EVIL42]

you so swayze!

Don't watch Roadhouse

 

[RESTLESS1]

i had to remember at times in dealing with people it was a job......dont let it become personal...........

 

[renewlyf]

Great Advise

Keeping your cool is key.... no matter what comes out of his mouth!
Be respectful...even if it isn't deserved.
Avoid getting tunnel vision..most A-holes are with other A-holes..getting sucker punched from your blind side is a real danger..
Have Fun.. Girls love bouncers

 

[GorillaGenetics]

dont be a tough guy faggot like most bouncers who all walk around like they have a 12 inch cock

let hot girls in even if they are underage

always make up reasons not to let douche bags and fat chicks in

heres a tip to make BANK! over the summer as a bouncer heres what you do:

when kids show up with fake ids take them and tell them if they want their id back come back with 60 bucks and ull give them their id back and let them in the bar i used to walk out with 500+ on fridays and sawturdays doing this dont try it on slow nights tho other bouncers and employees might take notice

 

[whiteknucks]

Some of these will be used individually depending on the situation, a combination, or all of them together situation dictating....

Treat them nice, treat them cool, treat them direct, treat them like a child.

1) Treat them nice: You say what you need/should/supposed to say, but in a simply friendly way. You can be firm AND have a smile at the same time... sounds weird, BUT, ego's abound, so it offer's a less confrontational situation. Especially if they are with their girlfriend (they gotta be a "big-man" dontcha-know). Show respect... get respect.

2) Treat them cool: stay CALM if they give you a hard time. Try to "win them over" showing them you are actually on their side... "Hey, I know, you found a good spot to sit and I wouldn't want to have move over either, but...." "Hey, it looks like you guys are having a really great time over here, I wish I could join in. But, listen, if you don't mind guys, some of the people over there were complaining about 'x' 'y' 'z'. I need to ask for you turn it down a few notches." If anyone ever escalates, you never show any ruffled feathers. A calm demeanor can de-escalate ALOT of situations.

3) Treat them direct: it's simple... people don't think- they really don't, it's amazing. Not to go into details here, but as a leader, I learned so much about people simply when I was a parking lot attendant. You need to be specific with the people of what you are looking for/want from them.

4) Treat them like a child: it actually gives them a false sense of "control." What I do with my 6 year old daughter- I give her a choice on something, BUT, either situation is something is what I want. "Well, I can't have you guys hang out in this area right now, but, you could go either over to 'A' or over to 'B'". Again, this gives them the feeling they are still in control and not being told what to do.

couldnt have said it better.

 

[aussiebulldog]

learn to work as a team with the other bouncers.
make sure there is always a contact between you. take every problem outside the club as quick as possible.

 

[Phidias]

Ask Iabadman, he has seen it all in this field...

 

[mindstar]

when I was a bouncer I saw it as my job not to get into fights...not all of my co-workers felt the same way.

My thing was I would kill people with kindness, and the whole "i'm just doing my job" thing. when it was time for someone to leave, I'd always let them know they could come back next week, but that they were done for the evening.

Toones of folks said I was the nicest bouncer in the city, and you know what, I never had many problems.

Don't be so nice that you're not doing your job though.

Personally, my toughest time was with female patrons. Most guys know that there is a line they shouldn't cross without risking their health...especially because almost no fight between bouncers and patrons ends up being fair.

The women, on the other hand, had a sense that no one would ever hit them and it made them fucking horrible to deal with. I quit after having to deal with two women in two consecutive weeks...one threw a stool at someone (and all people saw at the front of the bar was some big guy manhandling this little thing out the door) and the other got in a fist fight with another woman and then went apeshit when I restrained her...again, when we hit the street all people saw was a big dude with a woman in a rear naked choke.

I've never felt so shitty...

 

[Benches]

What sort of establishment will you be working at? Different places, different clients with different things to look out for.

Advice that applies to all places:

Work closely with the other bouncers and staff. Always escort people with at least 1 other staff member

Use your brains, not your brawn. Hurting a patron can destroy your life.

Always follow them out from behind and be aware of those behind you.

Anything that can happen will happen eventually

 

[jogates]

LOL bro if its at a strip club it wil be easy and the strippers will tip you... but if its at a club or bar... beat the fuck out of the first person who gives you lip... you will earn respect very quickly. From experience and yes i did beat the shit out of a 45 year old man for pouring a drink in my face. no problems after that... im also 22 yrs old 6'5 255 with anger issues lol

 

[619muscle]

Some of these will be used individually depending on the situation, a combination, or all of them together situation dictating....

Treat them nice, treat them cool, treat them direct, treat them like a child.

1) Treat them nice: You say what you need/should/supposed to say, but in a simply friendly way. You can be firm AND have a smile at the same time... sounds weird, BUT, ego's abound, so it offer's a less confrontational situation. Especially if they are with their girlfriend (they gotta be a "big-man" dontcha-know). Show respect... get respect.

2) Treat them cool: stay CALM if they give you a hard time. Try to "win them over" showing them you are actually on their side... "Hey, I know, you found a good spot to sit and I wouldn't want to have move over either, but...." "Hey, it looks like you guys are having a really great time over here, I wish I could join in. But, listen, if you don't mind guys, some of the people over there were complaining about 'x' 'y' 'z'. I need to ask for you turn it down a few notches." If anyone ever escalates, you never show any ruffled feathers. A calm demeanor can de-escalate ALOT of situations.

3) Treat them direct: it's simple... people don't think- they really don't, it's amazing. Not to go into details here, but as a leader, I learned so much about people simply when I was a parking lot attendant. You need to be specific with the people of what you are looking for/want from them.

4) Treat them like a child: it actually gives them a false sense of "control." What I do with my 6 year old daughter- I give her a choice on something, BUT, either situation is something is what I want. "Well, I can't have you guys hang out in this area right now, but, you could go either over to 'A' or over to 'B'". Again, this gives them the feeling they are still in control and not being told what to do.

bravo great post.

ditto, on asking iabadman to chime in...im know he has some fun stories to share and sage wisdom as well.

 

[hotnuts]

Walk around with a nervous twitch and talk to yourself... No one wants problems with a crazy mthr fuckr!

 

[T-bar]

All the above advice seems spot on, with the exception of that from hotnuts. LOL So let me give you a tip I wish someone had told me. Don't stand next to the damn speakers. Get as far away from the noise as possible. 6 months as a bouncer and now I can't hear shit out of my left ear. I had fun, but it wasn't worth it. Sometimes it's the most unsuspecting thing that gets ya.