"All you have to do is follow three simple rules. One, never underestimate your opponent. Expect the unexpected. Two, take it outside. Never start anything inside the bar unless it's absolutely necessary. And three, be nice until it's time to not be nice." These are the immortal words of Patrick Swayze's character in the 80's movie "Roadhouse." As a bouncer, I find this quote as inaccurate as it is entertaining.
I have been a Hangar 9 bouncer for a couple of months now, and nothing has ever been that extreme. If anything, it's the most chill job I have ever had. Sure, there have been a couple iffy moments, but for the majority of the time, it's pretty relaxed.
When most people think of bouncers, they think of a jacked dude who has serious anger issues and a desire to throw out hooligans. I get that that kind of bouncer is out there and doing a very valuable and needed job, but at Hangar 9, we aren't that type. Mostly because our typical customers are the nicest beer consumers in the world. It makes our job a whole lot easier.
What I basically do is make sure that the people walking in to our awesome bar are of age. I place a nice little band around their arm and send them on their way to enjoy their evening of drinks and live music or whatever the event is that night. I also watch the beer garden to make sure nobody goes where they don't need to be, and bar back.
Bar-backing is the most stressful part of the job. You have to clean glasses and restock beer so bartenders can give these objects to the paying customers. On busy nights, it's difficult. So much is going on, and you have to make sure you stay out of the bartender's way while also doing your job. It's a ton of pressure because, if you screw up, the whole process is screwed. I'm the kind of guy who believes every second counts, and if I'm going to do something, I want to be the best at it. I don't believe in handouts; I believe in earning paychecks. So, if I'm not doing my job properly, I get upset with myself. It's natural that I'm going to screw up, and I do have some mistake stories I'm going to share a bit later, but the point is, I take every mistake, look at it, and see how I can make sure it never happens again. Luckily for me, I have the best bartenders to work with, and the best crew, too.
Some of my best bouncing stories pertain to me screwing up. One night, one of bartenders needed some chardonnay. I went to the back to grab some, and for the life of me, I couldn't find it. I was in the right section, but I just couldn't find it. Five minutes passed, and the bartender had to run back there to see what the hold up was, and it turns out I was staring at it the whole time. I just couldn't recognize it. I felt so damn stupid. Although, in fairness, I'm straight edge. Straight edge means I don't drink, smoke, or do drugs of any kind. So, I'm not exactly fluent in alcohol nomenclature. (I also do see the irony in a man who has never drank alcohol a day in his life working at a bar.)
There are a few instances where I had to do some actual bouncing. I had to escort a guy out for being a little too rowdy, and he threw threats at me in his drunken stupor. I just take it in stride, because I always view it as the alcohol talking and not them. I also had a glass thrown at my head. (No worries, it missed.)
Other than that, the customers are the nicest people. They're always ready to shake my hand or joke with me. I can't stress enough how awesome our customers are and how easy they make my job, so much so that I don't actually consider myself a bouncer. I'm a doorman. Even when I'm not at the door and doing other duties, I'm a doorman. That doesn't mean I don't work hard. I think the sweat and tears after a busy karaoke night will tell you different, but I love my job, and I can't dream of doing anything else until I get my degree. Good customers, good co-workers, and a challenging enough job to keep me passionate. There is nothing more I could ask for.
