starting as a bouncer

[red_herring]

Hello,


I will hopefully get a job as a bouncher at a nightclub soon would you have any advice for me?Since many martial artists have worked some time in bars and nightclubs then i would like to hear your advice.
Like for some kind of tips or triks?Or what should I need to know?I have not alot of excperience in such things therefore I hope to gain your advice.

ps.Im very sorry for spelling mistakes and grammar errors english is not my mother language.​

H.F.

 

[bignick]

I know there are quite a few former bouncers on here. I would say one the major things is to just keep your cool, no bar owner wants their place trashed if it doesn't have to be.

 

[DeLamar.J]

Just be very respectful to people, that alone can save you much trouble. Even if someone is really pissed and beating someone, if you pull them off and hold them without hurting them and say, hey man I just doing my job, its going to be both our butts if you dont get out of here, heres a ticket for a free drink some other time, just get out of here for the night so things can cool down and no one will have to go to jail or the hospitol, its not worth it.
Just be very respectful, but firm. Explain to them why they should go in a way they will understand.
So many bouncers cause themselves so many un called for bumps and bruises.

 

[Posiview]

Read this book: Geoff Thompson

 

[SMP]

be polite and give them a way out with dignity

 

[Cruentus]

Whats a bouncher?

lol...sorry I couldn't resist.

 

[Mark Weiser]

I would have to agree also when dealing with a emotionally charged situation. It is best to use short and concise request in a soft but firm manner that way they have to pay attention to your words. But also be ready to back up your request with the help of your fellow bouncers. There is strength in numbers.

Remember that your mind is your greatest weapon and stay focused.

 

[tshadowchaser]

Keep your eyes and ears open. The guy or girl in front of you may not be the one to start trouble with you.
As the others have said be firm but polite as possible BUT leave no room in their mind that you willdo your job.

 

[BlackCatBonz]

tshadowchaser's last comment is one that should stick with you above all others......leave no room in their mind that you will do your job.
i was the head doorman at a relatively small club that held about 500 patrons, and it was known as a rough fighting type of bar (not a totally great place to get my first exposure in security) and there were only 2 other doorman besides me. my first order of business when i started working there was finding out MY rights as a doorman, and the PATRONS rights. this was so that there would be no error in my mind when it came time to do my job what type of force i was allowed to use, if it came to that. after i worked there for awhile and became aware of the law, i managed to get them to hire more doorman to become compliant. i didnt get the head doorman job right away, that was my teachers job.....he was an experienced bouncer and taught me alot about learning the the crowd....after he left, thats when i was promoted and my real education about fighting took place.
rule #1. never turn your back on anyone.....be nice to the patrons, but remember, you're not there to be their friend and lots of guys that have had bottles and ashtrays smashed over their heads will attest to this.
rule #2. idiots travel in packs, and bouncers move in pairs. always have a right hand man, or be someones right hand man to learn the ropes....back this person up no matter what, he could save your life, or you his. i know this sounds serious, but being a bouncer is not a laughing matter.
rule #3. learn how to make a wall your friend. lots of times i have seen guys backed up against a wall getting the $h*t beat out of them by one or several others. this should never happen(see rule #2). but if it does and you dont know how to defend yourself in this position......look out.
rule #4. NEVER i repeat NEVER let a fight go to the ground.........this is not brazilian jiu-jitsu, this is bouncing.....you fall down and you will have loads of opportunists that dont like you jump on you and try to get their licks in(think im kidding?) all fighting does not go to the ground, no matter what the gracie's say.
rule #5. never let a patron put their hands on you......they will do this under the guise that they're being buddy buddy with you (and maybe some guy is) and then next thing you know some amateur judo or shootfighting wanna-be has you in a compromising position.

i have loads of rules to live by as a bouncer.....some might think they're crap, but the guys who've been there and done REAL security know what i am talking about.
i dont count every altercation ive been in as a fight, some guys do......but i did this for five years, and every night i worked i was involved in something.
be AWARE.

shawn

 

[Bammx2]

tshadowchaser's last comment is one that should stick with you above all others......leave no room in their mind that you will do your job.
i was the head doorman at a relatively small club that held about 500 patrons, and it was known as a rough fighting type of bar (not a totally great place to get my first exposure in security) and there were only 2 other doorman besides me. my first order of business when i started working there was finding out MY rights as a doorman, and the PATRONS rights. this was so that there would be no error in my mind when it came time to do my job what type of force i was allowed to use, if it came to that. after i worked there for awhile and became aware of the law, i managed to get them to hire more doorman to become compliant. i didnt get the head doorman job right away, that was my teachers job.....he was an experienced bouncer and taught me alot about learning the the crowd....after he left, thats when i was promoted and my real education about fighting took place.
rule #1. never turn your back on anyone.....be nice to the patrons, but remember, you're not there to be their friend and lots of guys that have had bottles and ashtrays smashed over their heads will attest to this.
rule #2. idiots travel in packs, and bouncers move in pairs. always have a right hand man, or be someones right hand man to learn the ropes....back this person up no matter what, he could save your life, or you his. i know this sounds serious, but being a bouncer is not a laughing matter.
rule #3. learn how to make a wall your friend. lots of times i have seen guys backed up against a wall getting the $h*t beat out of them by one or several others. this should never happen(see rule #2). but if it does and you dont know how to defend yourself in this position......look out.
rule #4. NEVER i repeat NEVER let a fight go to the ground.........this is not brazilian jiu-jitsu, this is bouncing.....you fall down and you will have loads of opportunists that dont like you jump on you and try to get their licks in(think im kidding?) all fighting does not go to the ground, no matter what the gracie's say.
rule #5. never let a patron put their hands on you......they will do this under the guise that they're being buddy buddy with you (and maybe some guy is) and then next thing you know some amateur judo or shootfighting wanna-be has you in a compromising position.

This is good advice.
I just wanna add my 2 bits...hope it helps
I started bouncing at 15(big for my age) and put in quite a bit of time over the next 20yrs, all across the US and a few years in the UK.
ALWAYS work with a partner! screw going it alone.
Your final goal should be; in order,
1) Talk them out(no physical violence,partner following)
2) Walk them out(partner(s) helping)
3) Knock them out (LAST resort!)

If you get the first one down,the rest are fairly rare.......
but ALWAYS be prepared!
and good luck!

 

[Sin]

personally i wouldn't be a bouncer by choice....but if i had to be I would go to a MA school tell them that you need to learn knife and gun disarming techniques...cause of your profession.....all you would have to do it talk to the Sensei....and I am sure you 2 can work something out.


now if you know those tech. then i suggest you put them into practice a few times a night at home with a friend.

 

[higginj33]

I stumbled onto this link to an on-line book for bouncers.

http://www.stormpages.com/handtohand22/page6101.htm

Take a look and see what you think.

 

[Sin]

best thing for you to do is to act like a cop...be completly worried about your own well being, know where there hands are at all times...even if its just some scronny gressy haired white guy. they could always have a blade on him

 

[red_herring]

Thank you for your good advice everyone and special thanks to TULISAN for pointing out my big mistake.(In case you ment your question"what is a bouncher?"seriously then: a bouncher is like a bouncer only with super powers and a H)

I try to follow your advice and not get in trouble.Is it very usual that bouncers get attacked with wepons?
Many of you seem to live in usa...how much(around)do bouncers get paid(In a month)?I belive bouncers have a good payment in usa if the job is so dangerouse...

anyway thank you and If someone wants to add something then please go ahead.


H.F.

 

[jwreck]

Well, my greatest piece of advice is not related at all to any confrontations you may have, those will take care of themselves. The biggest thing you need to be aware of is your lifestyle. The club life can suck you in, chew you up and spit you out before you even know what hit you. I don't know how many wide-eyed kids I've seen come into the club business with goals and direction, only to soon only be focused on hanging out with the staff and getting messed up after hours. The club life is full of every kind of temptation you can imagine. Women, booze, drugs, money, power, you name it. So be careful and be sure you let the club be your job, not your life.

 

[Cryozombie]

Stay ALERT.

Be Polite, but commanding. You can come across as confident and in-charge while still being polite.

Know where your back up is.

Be prepared and stop trouble before it starts whenever possible.

AND. AND.

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE WOMEN. They will attack you just as quickly as a man will.

 

[jwreck]

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE WOMEN. They will attack you just as quickly as a man will.

Good point. Most women still belive that there will be no consequences for their violent behavior, so they don't think twice about slapping or kneeing someone.

 

[Rich Parsons]

From Personal experience I would not recommend anyone becoming a bouncer.

If you do then, have a long term goal of other job plan for the future.

If you insist on being a Bouncer still, then listen to those on this thread.

Working in teams is good. Working with partners is also good. Listen to those who have been there. And listen to how they say things, how they walk, who they watch.

Pay attention do not get distracted.

You have no friends. You will have a million people who want to be your friend, to get away with things. Let them know you are friendly, yet you have a job to do.

Stay calm, and in control of yourself.

Let people leave on there own, as long as they are moving towards the door, there is no reason to shove them. Many are waiting for this, as this is their excuse because you touched them.

When physically escorting someone out the door, tell them they are fine, everything is all right. Nothing to worry about. Keep a calm steady voice.

Also remember, these are the things that may happen to you:

Pounched
Kicked
Hit with a bottle
Hoe with a chair
Hit with a blunt hand weapon
Cut or stabbed by a knife or other device
Have a gun pointed at you
Be shot at
possible be shot

Face multiple people
Be out numbered even with a team or in pairs

If the spot you are working is clean and nice, and the worse you have to deal with is the occasional upset couple (* Very dangerous still *), or the drunk guy that needs to leave, then all may be fine. If not then think about the pay for long term effects to your body and mind, and the possibility of danger to you.

Just my thoughts

 

[Sin]

Being a boncer is only asking for trouble so.......if you gotta be a boncer keep it short term and the pay to what you want...nothings worth getting shot over

 

[jwreck]

Also remember, these are the things that may happen to you:

Pounched
Kicked
Hit with a bottle
Hoe with a chair
Hit with a blunt hand weapon
Cut or stabbed by a knife or other device
Have a gun pointed at you
Be shot at
possible be shot

Face multiple people
Be out numbered even with a team or in pairs

You forgot being run over with a car. For some reason that become trendy at the club I worked at. Instead of waiting until the club closed and then jumping you, they decided it was easier to just wait and try to run over you on the way to your car. Which reminds me of another thing, just because your shift's over doesn't mean you're out of the woods. Some people take it very personally if you throw them out of a club. Always keep your guard up, even when you're off duty.