14 July 2008 511 views No Comment Print This Post  Email This Post

When Dave was 18, he took up the part time position of a doorman after a 10 minute interview with a local security company. At the same time he was a student studying in Edinburgh and wanted to tell his story so students can read the truth behind the work. His work began in small bars and quickly evolved to nightclubs with capacities of 2,000. During this time, Dave was a student…

Dave, thanks for the interview today, tell us a little about how you go into being a bouncer?

Extraction Consultant is the term I like to call them (laughs). I was 18 and had worked in retail for two years. I hated getting up on a Saturday morning to sell clothing that I didn’t even like to fussy customers and moaning kids. So, after speaking to my uncle, who did a stint on the doors, I e-mailed a local security company, got my license and started a month later.

License?

Yeah, you needed a Council license to work. This would certify you had undertaken a small course, usually lasting an hour, to ensure you were capable of handling generic situations and a criminal background check is performed to check you are fit enough to work as a door steward.

So, how was your first night?

It was pretty easy going. I worked with a funny black guy who was actually a Minister during the day! It was freezing and I clearly hadn’t wrapped up properly, I couldn’t feel my toes. It was good though. Nothing happened, apart from refusing one guy who proceeded to stare at me as a way of intimidating the “kid” as I was called…it didn’t work.

What is the average night like for a door steward?

For bar work you begin at 7ish and finish around 1am, nightclubs generally 10pm - 3am. For bars you are generally on the door the whole night whereas in a nightclub - if you are new - you start work inside and work up the ranks.

At the beginning of the night you’ll find people are nicer, they are less intoxicated and having a nice time. As the evening progresses, that’s when things flair up. Your duties as security don’t mean standing on the door looking pretty. You see, a licensed premises operates on one basis - having a license. If you screw up it can be quickly revocted, shutting the place for business. Mainly you are checking identification, analysing people approaching to ensure they are the right clientelle you want in the place, checking the toilets for drug use, making sure people are behaving inside and so on.

At the night comes to an end you’ll repeatadly ask people to finish their drinks, close up and write any reports that are required.

The Right Clientelle?

Yes and this is something that many people just don’t understand. Generally door stewards don’t want to embarrass a customer when refusing them, so they’ll say “Not tonight” or “Another night sir/madam” or “Try somewhere else”. This may mean you are dressed inappropriately, you are too intoxicating or the venue and you are just not suited e.g. you are a rocker who strolled up on an RnB night with a majority African crowd. We’re not doing it to be mean, its to ensure peace and harmony in the club whilst helping you save money (as you probably won’t enjoy it).

What is the worst situation you have ever been in?

There are too many to name a few but I remember when I was out-numbered on a couple of occasions and had to battle hard to stop the fighting. However, having to earn the respect from other security staff was difficult. I’m only about 12 stone, not a big guy, so showing them I was able proved to be a challenge - they were always quick to jump to my aid without letting me handle it, but that changed in due course.

A time that comes to mind was threatened by local idiots who were also drug dealers and wheelers-n-dealers. They told me I was going to be shot because I didn’t let them in. The fact of the matter was it was a student night and these guys didn’t have student cards - you see what us “bouncers” do for your students!

These sort of threats fly around all the time but what made it clear they were serious was when I got a phone call the next day from them saying I was going to get “done” - they got my telephone number and knew the area I lived in within 24 hours. Afer a bit of detective work I found out half of these guys has been a guest of the government (in jail) for aggrivated assault and stabbing some poor bugger. Fortunately, that situation was taken care off.

Taken Care Off?

Yes, we sat and discussed our differences over a nice cup of Tetley soon after and no more was said on the matter. Next question?

What’s the worst fight you have ever witnessed or been involved in?

I didn’t really get involved with major violence until I worked in big clubs. I found that when you speak to people the way you would want to be spoken too, they’ll happily accept your decision/warning and behave or leave. In nightclubs the music is blaring, the crowds are big and a large amount of the time the patron to staff ratio is a joke…you don’t have that luxury of chatting.

There were a few riots in my time. On the door we’d try to limit the amount of groups entering, so if you were in a crowd of 8 and weren’t merry students you’d be refused because there were only 6-7 door stewards, the odds were already against us. As people cottoned on to this, they began splitting up and coming in two at a time. When the club was full, you’d end up with two groups of 20 lads from different areas and all hell would break loose.

Stewards were inside dragging them out, then when outside some would return inside to get the remaining few whilst some stayed on the door to deal with those outside, immediately splitting the team up. Eventually, when you did get all the little delinquents out of the club, they would start fighting again! Then you’d have casualties and innocent victims to give first aid when it all calmed down.

What do you think of the stereotypical image of the bouncer as a glorified thug?

I’m glad I worked the doors because I got to see a completely different side. The majority of stewards have full time jobs (some as engineers and lawyers) or are students themselves. And, they all have one thing in common - they just want a peaceful night. Yes there are a minority of stewards who are a few pennies short of a pound but a new licensing system, The SIA, aims to remove them from the workplace.

It’s funny because when I was studying I’d be working at night, nobody would recognise me then I’d turn up to a class the next day and a few heads would turn! “Are you that bouncer guy” was the first question usually.

How was working during the night and studying during the day?

There were occasions were I’d finish at 3.30am and be back up for 8am, however I’d try to change my shifts to suit my course. The beauty of working the doors is that there is flexibility and the better pay - in comparison to working in a shop - means you need to work less.

How did your bouncing days end?

I graduated and decided enough was enough. No amount of money in the World can justify having to watch over your shoulder permanently and I realised my stint as a steward was over. I am so glad I worked on the doors, it taught me a lot about life and I met some fantastic people, but I got my degree and wanted to put it to good use.

Finally, what advice would you give to students hoping for a good night out?

Whether you are a student or not, when you go out you want to have fun. The door staff are there to ensure that happens, by making you safe and only letting decent people in the venue. Remember to show a little respect to them, especially at the end of the night when they ask you to finish you drinks - do it!

Don’t get involved in incidents, especially running over saying “I’m a doctor” or “My dad is a lawyer” - one member of staff is trained in first aid and believe me, door stewards depend on a license to work so they know the law.

Ask Dave a question now by posting a comment. Remember to subscribe to the comments if you want to be notified, via e-mail, or any new replies.