Bouncer related Q for casavant and others

[PCxPete]

addressed to casavant since you have such awesome bouncing related stories im sure youve got a fair idea of the whole gig, but im sure theres pleanty of other people out there with some ideas too.

i just got back from a local gig in town and towards the end of the night one of my friends got in an altercation with one of the bouncers.

basically they refused to let him back in for the final band (after letting him in for the first 4) and being a band from the otherside of australia he was obviously quite put out that he'd miss them so he continued to try convince the bouncer to let him in for pretty much the whole set.

after the bouncer had told him to go for a walk and come back and various other things he eventually made various disparaging remarks towards my mate re: weight, hair colour etc (hes a red head.. poor fella hehe)

during this time another not so drunk friend was also trying to convince the bouncer to change his ways but as the bouncer began abusing my friend he took his name badge off and put it in his pocket so that they couldnt identify him. he wouldnt tell them his name or even what company he worked for.

after a while he called out the head bouncer guy and the club manager, neither of whom had name badges or would disclose their names and they too made various remarks and sent em both packing.

now fair enough the club has certain responsibilities as far as drunk patrons go but abusing the clients and refusing to identify yourself? im in australia but i would have thought that its pretty standard set up.

any thoughts on my friends posistion? and the interesting thing is that i got in with an ID thats 3 years out of date with a picture that barely resembles me since im still a month off being allowed in, which is all i care about since i dont go to gigs to drink anyway.

 

[ffknight84]

i just got back from a local gig in town and towards the end of the night one of my friends got in an altercation with one of the bouncers.

umm, my thoughts are dont piss off the boucers, and whats an altercation, you need to be more specific. He probably deserved what he got...

 

[flex123]

Most bouncers when dealing with people in a bar act like they are talking to morons or little kids.

I've seen bouncers that are completely not a people person, which I don't understand at all. A bouncer is someone who should be able to deal with people and keep a comfortable atmosphere.

 

[HighIntensity]

last night we threw a kid head first through a steal door. He was stealing.

Bascially you come to party. we are there to enforce, and usally there is a reason (being drunk) for altercations between bouncers and patrons.

 

[Devastation]

i try and be sociable to even the idiots. but if you piss me off and then fuck up, you're not coming back in the rest of the night

 

[tuc biscuit]

Most bouncers when dealing with people in a bar act like they are talking to morons or little kids.

I've seen bouncers that are completely not a people person, which I don't understand at all. A bouncer is someone who should be able to deal with people and keep a comfortable atmosphere.

I'm not casting any aspersions on your character here, but I and most bouncers I know, deal with every individual on their merits, so if you are an ass, you will get spoken to and treated like one.


At some places, you need tough guys, whether they are 'people persons' or not. To my mind unless you are asking a direct question, which is relevant then there should be no need to speak to a bouncer at all and you should just leave him to get on eith what can be a hard and stressful job.

 

[flex123]

Sometimes a bouncer with a mouth can make a situation even worse. I understand if you work at a big place with a lot of bouncers, but if your there with just another bouncer bad things can happen if you're not a people person.

 

[The Ranger]

First off...When I pull someone outside to talk with them, my mind set depends on how they listen, their mannerisms, and if they are polite and responsive to my rules.....

If they want to argue and make a fuss...Peace, and have a good night, I then walk back inside and let the doorman know they have 5 minutes to vacate the lot...

If they listen, tell me the story, and ask if they sit outside for a bit and do not drink the rest of the night...I generally let them back in...after I have given the other bouncers a heads up on the guy so they can watch as well....

Bouncing can be difficult at times...You have to be Oprah, Dr. Phil and often times Jerry Springer.....

I cannot speak for Aussie land, but here, we have the right to refuse service to anyone....A piss poor attitude will get you booted very quickly.....

Just my thoughts my man.....

Ranger

 

[2Thick]

Why did he leave so many times?

If he really wanted to see the band then he should of stayed.

Bouncers get pissed when people go in and out too many times.

 

[SupraHero]

Why did he leave so many times?

If he really wanted to see the band then he should of stayed.

Bouncers get pissed when people go in and out too many times.

I agree with this totally. When I was working the door I hated when assholes would leave and try to come back in time after time. You get a 2 entrance limit with me, you leave I let you in you leave again and try to get back in your ass isn't coming back in the club. Who knows what they keep leaving for, they could have had an altercation in the club and went out to their car to get a gun or whatever the hell. If you want to stay in the club then STAY IN THE CLUB.

 

[PCxPete]

everyone went out because we where all there for bands and between bands everyone hung out outside. its just how it works here.

i understand the guys right to not allow him to enter again but what i was questioning was the bouncer, the head bouncer, and the mangagers refusal to allow themselves to be identified.

the guy was drunk but he wasnt louder than anyone else, infact we had people wrestling and throwing each other all over the place outside between bands and he didnt bat an eye lid.

plus its not exactly a big club, just a small room with a few punk/hardcore bands on where the crowd is ALWAYS well behaved.

i guess i was just lucky so far because ive never had a problem with bouncers before but the way this guy was treating my friend was at various points he allude to him being allowed back in, then he started abusing him.

(altercation of the verbal kind, just words)

 

[The Ranger]

Bouncers generally have a solid rule my man...Once you begin to have alot of peeps hanging around outside, others drive by and hang out too...Then you have Bouncers working inside and not enough to control the others outside....

Be polite, ask if you can run to your car to retrieve more money, make a cell phone call...etc. Most of the time Bouncers will not have a prob with that, but you have some who go in and out several times, what this generally means to me...hitting the car to drink, snort and burn a blunt....Once, not a prob...more than that, and have a good night....

Just my thoughts my man.....

Peace,

Ranger

 

[PolishHammer1977]

Most bouncers when dealing with people in a bar act like they are talking to morons or little kids.

Interesting, maybe it's bc most people act like little fucking kids. You know I know for SURE bro. People don't know how to act. People come through the door in my place....guess what...it's MY DOOR, and my fucking rules are in effect. I treat people how they deserve to be treated. I respect when it is earned. That's it.

for example here's a couple rules I have developed;

1- anybody giving me a head nod or a fake face is getting tossed even before entry.
2-anybody giving me the what's up or a stupid face after I ask for ID is getting tossed before entry. Basically, I know who the assholes are and I don't let them in. It's my disgression and that's it.

High Intensity - there was a kid who stole $$$$ off the bar 5 weeks ago in our place. We mopped the floor with him and his 6 friends. They will never come back. If they do I will know by the facial scars left from my boot. Stealing $$$$ warrants the worst of beating and its a green light, all go from there.

I have done this gig for a while now. I have a small army of warriors with me. Accomplished fighters and I learn so much from these guys. The average person or really strong guys thinkthey have a chance. They don't. You are fighting against machines. Weathered fighters. Not bouncers. In my place we are weathered. Anyone who has come in and tried to fuck around has found out the hard way. I know there are people here that know what I am talking about.

 

[Imnotdutch]

1- anybody giving me a head nod or a fake face is getting tossed even before entry.
2-anybody giving me the what's up or a stupid face after I ask for ID is getting tossed before entry.

Lol.........I have similar rules for letting kids into my classroom at school.

1. Anybody trying to use anybody as a butt of a joke, or trying to involve me in pointless personal conversations (note how I say pointless and copnversation rather than general salutations etc) stays out until they learn where to draw the line.

2. Anybody refusing simple instructions (take your jacket off please) doesnt come in.

This cuts out a lot of bullshit in my class..........interesting how you said similar things.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

Theres always someone bigger and tougher. And since when the fuck were bouncers trained fighters? I'm sure this line muses the bar fly cunts that occupy your joint.

We are. I don't know about other places. I don't care about other places. We have a tight knit group of solid guys that all work together like a machine. when one goes, the other 8-10 follow in a herd.

If someone pulls out a gun on me, than it's my time. Until then, I do what I have to do.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

MFMAN

Why did you delete your post?

 

[MFMan]

MFMAN

Why did you delete your post?

I thought maybe I came across as a bit of an asshole in that statment. I was just saying since when were bouncers trained fighters? I'm sure there are some but every club or bar I ever worked at before most of the bouncers were just kids thinking they are the shit. I've seen them loose some and win some in that biz.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

I thought maybe I came across as a bit of an asshole in that statment. I was just saying since when were bouncers trained fighters? I'm sure there are some but every club or bar I ever worked at before most of the bouncers were just kids thinking they are the shit. I've seen them loose some and win some in that biz.

You did come off that way TBH.

We have a ex-ufc fighter and 3 other guys that used to fight competitvely. They have worked with guys like myself, my roommate and our six other steadies. My roommate and I are the youngest guys working there and we are both 26. The oldest is 42. We are not the little boys that most other places employ.

 

[HighIntensity]

our staff

2 champion HS wrestlers, both comp BB over 230

1 former boxer over 260

1 current local champion BB whos 510 250

1 monster who is 6'7 330, not sure if he has any fighting skills


and me, lol....just scrappy at 510 200 with a good amount of street fights but nothing competive.

 

[MFMan]

You did come off that way TBH.

We have a ex-ufc fighter and 3 other guys that used to fight competitvely. They have worked with guys like myself, my roommate and our six other steadies. My roommate and I are the youngest guys working there and we are both 26. The oldest is 42. We are not the little boys that most other places employ.

What the hell kind of club do you work in? In the middle of gangland? Also, with that kind of background I'm sure you get payed more than the avg. bouncer. All the shit I used to put up with it just wasn't worth it for the money I made.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

lets just say that I am the smallest guy there in height and weight @;

6-3 3/4
241-243 lbs

 

[MFMan]

What the hell do they start you guys off nowadays? Pay wise?

 

[PolishHammer1977]

depends on the guy and experience. We are all paid VERY well and all medical expenses are covered as well. We make mor ewhen we mop up the place too. Not talking about cleaning the floor either.

 

[HighIntensity]

I make anywhere from 18/25 an hour

 

[PolishHammer1977]

What the hell kind of club do you work in? In the middle of gangland? Also, with that kind of background I'm sure you get payed more than the avg. bouncer. All the shit I used to put up with it just wasn't worth it for the money I made.

Long Island. It's a problem bar and attracts a lot of heroes. People actually come in with the notion that they can take us on. I shit you not.
The trouble is not worth it but the bond of brotherhood sure is. We are all tight knit. You just can't beat that.

 

[theoak01]

man I wish I had a crew like you guys, I have my buddy 5'8 210 and me 5'6 185,sometimes we get other guys in but they are just tall not really big.

my boss doesnt like to pay more than 3 boucners either and we get shows like the salads and really popular local bands that pack the place literally, and because one of us runs the door we only have 2 people to control about 75-100people

me and my buddy have decent streetfighting experience and I have done kung fu and boxed in my early teens,but sometimes I dont feel all that comfortable,especially fridays with just me and sometimes 50 people in the bar.

 

[flex123]

Anyone who has come in and tried to fuck around has found out the hard way. I know there are people here that know what I am talking about.

Acouple of guys I use to hangout with fucked around and pulled some plain ass dumb shit in Hammer's place. The end result was a hospital visit and then a cell visit.

 

[Becoming]

to PCxPete's original question-
Rarely have I seen someone get what was not deserved... when dealing with bouncers, just remember- they control the door, and thus make up the rules, not you or any amount of pleading...

Hammer- I hear what you are saying about having the right bros working wth you... one guy who can't cut his weight is a disaster waiting to happen... got stuck with a new guy one day outside the bar (brick entrance no window) and ended up in a 3 dudes vs me while he stood there totally frozen, catatonic.... Luckily it was easy to "resolve" that time, but obviously there was potential it could have been much worse depending on circumstances... My boss was pretty cool and fired the guy on the spot, also, no more new dudes outside...

With the guys you know have got your back and can hang is a different story all together, you can clean out a joint pretty quick with the right 2-3 other guys...

And for the record, the money was never worth it.... but some good times hanging out with some lifelong bros...

 

[PolishHammer1977]

With the guys you know have got your back and can hang is a different story all together, you can clean out a joint pretty quick with the right 2-3 other guys...

And for the record, the money was never worth it.... but some good times hanging out with some lifelong bros...

Great post Becoming.

We have a solid 8-10 guys. Usually depending on the situation, we have 5-6 guys taking care of business and 4-6 guys watching the crowd, waiting for the cheap shot artists to come out and play.

The lifelong friends are the best. It's what I live for. Good friends.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

my boss doesnt like to pay more than 3 boucners either and we get shows like the salads and really popular local bands that pack the place literally, and because one of us runs the door we only have 2 people to control about 75-100people

This is a MAJOR disaster waiting to happen man. MAJOR!!!!

I wish I lived out there to help you man. I would leave immediately if it was me.

 

[tuc biscuit]

Ok, this is my view. I;ve worked on one of the most potentialy dangerous clubs in Manchester which is regarded as the worst city in England (we had bullet proof doors, big hip-hop nights, over 20 doormen for an 800 person club etc.). My opinion is that the doormen dictate the atmosphere in the club, if they are staring everyone down and posturing and being difficult for the sake of it, then they will create problems for themselves, but if they are just polite and assume everyone is just there to enjoy themselves until they prove otherwise, then they will have a much easier life.

 

[PolishHammer1977]

true indeed

 

[theoak01]

This is a MAJOR disaster waiting to happen man. MAJOR!!!!

I wish I lived out there to help you man. I would leave immediately if it was me.

I know its a pretty bad situation but I need the cash to get through school and dont want some shit job flipping burgers.

 

[tuc biscuit]

I know its a pretty bad situation but I need the cash to get through school and dont want some shit job flipping burgers.

Man, get out of there, surely there are other better run doors, or door companys that you can join, as has been said before that is an accident waiting to happen.

 

[theoak01]

nobody else will hire me because they say I am to small,I had a chance to work at the strip club but my girlfriend got pissed

 

[tuc biscuit]

nobody else will hire me because they say I am to small,I had a chance to work at the strip club but my girlfriend got pissed

Have you tried everybody? To me it looks like an unsafe situation, but if you gotta do it then I can just wish you the best of luck.

 

[strangebrew]

nobody else will hire me because they say I am to small,I had a chance to work at the strip club but my girlfriend got pissed

Next time they tell you that, just say "yeah, small enough to punch you in the nuts." Then stand on your tip toes, reach up, and give his nutsack the beating of a lifetime.

 

[theoak01]

Im not a damn midget but most bouncers here are in the 6ft range, and I get underestimated alot because of height.

there are a few I could try but the bouncers there are shit starters,but I probably will go there anyway

 

[The Ranger]

Irish MB and others, great posts and I fully agree....Our Bouncers all work out together, hit clubs together and chow down together...We are our own tribe in effect...We work some pretty nasty clubs and from time to time, it gets ugly as hell....

I had a chick ask me once if I got scared if I had to get between 5 or 6 guys at once...I simply replied...I don't really have time to be scared, I react first, but in the back of my mind, I know 3 to 6 other guys will be at my back in a matter of seconds, and that means a helluve lot more than money....

Earning the respect of the patrons is a must, and always, always develope a good repor with any, and all local police units that respond to your club, that alone will yeild dividends that can save your ass on the pavement or court...generally both most of the time....

Another thing I do...I ensure the doorman gets 10$ more than the others...why? As already stated, he dictates the mood and attitude of the club from the start, once they get drunk, it's our ballgame then....

And should we require a new bouncer, I have no authority to hire the guy, we bring him in, let him work the door a few times, then work inside a few times, we get the feel of the guy, then all of us decide if he works out, or he goes....we are very picky in who we hire....

Being big and bad is NOT what a bouncer is all about....Quietly confident, strict yet understanding, having people skills and the gift of gab is paramount....I have had to make people pay in flesh many times, then turn around and render first aid(I'm an EMT) until paramedics arrive...Only to have charges filed on me....Security tapes never lie and I have never lost a case....

My tribe works for 20$ per hour plus expenses....We recenty worked the Foreniger concert...3 hours, 100$ per man....some of the major festivals I work are three day festivals, and I work between 8 to 12 hours per day(mostly campers and heads....heh heh heh)

Good luck to all who venture into this game....what you learn quick will save your ass later....

Peace,

Ranger

 

[The Ranger]

Oh Yeah...Irish MB....From what you have written, I'd work with ya in a heartbeat my man....Solid.

Ranger