Average size guy as a bouncer

[FDF12389]

So here is the deal, I work full time in IT right now but I am thinking of taking a part time job as a door man, I have a few years experience creating novelty ID's, so in that aspect I would be great at weeding out fakes, I also have a bar tenders license so that may come in handy if the business is ever short staffed.

I am not a afraid to jump in and get hit a few times, I'm 5' 11'' and about 205 lbs. Am I wasting my time, or do you think this is a possible avenue?

 

[FDF12389]

Dont steal me

 

[MotF Bane]

Theft!

 

[MotF Bane]

Originally posted by: MotF Bane
Theft!

I am disappoint.

 

[MotF Bane]

On the topic, I'm fairly certain TallBill is or was a bouncer, although I wouldn't call him average sized.

 

[MoPHo]

I don't think you should because you may get hurt. At the same time, I think you should so you can post here from the hospital when things go bad.

Edit: Bartending, yes.

 

[FDF12389]

Originally posted by: MoPHo
I don't think you should because you may get hurt. At the same time, I think you should so you can post here from the hospital when things go bad.

Edit: Bartending, yes.

I may try that again, but it just wasn't my thing.

 

[FDF12389]

Originally posted by: MotF Bane

Originally posted by: MotF Bane
Theft!

I am disappoint.

:beer:

 

[MrMatt]

5 11 205 is decent sized. Your average douche starting things in bars/clubs is about average sized anyway.

 

[her209]

We need pics to decide.

 

[tasmanian]

5'11" is pretty short for a bouncer.

 

[Mo0o]

Why dont you just work as a bartender. Get the tips, talk to some ladies, dont have to fight drunk dudes

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: MotF Bane
On the topic, I'm fairly certain TallBill is or was a bouncer, although I wouldn't call him average sized.

No I think IceBergSlim is/was

 

[Ilmater]

I'm 6'9", and size isn't everything... it just helps. Do you have any experience fighting or with defensive combat? That would make all the difference to me.

Certainly your experience with other things would help, but before you tell them you illegally made IDs, you should consider that people that do that stuff threaten their liquor license, so they might not take kindly to that. Make it clear you're past that.

 

[mozirry]

i am 6'1'' and 185 and was a door bouncer during college

Basically, when you are MASSIVE you can keep a rowdy crowd under control with no effort, but a guy like me or you, we could probably throw down pretty good but in the end unless you are real mean looking people may not take you seriously.

But in all seriousness, you sit on a stool w/ a flashlight to look at ID cards and you collect cash, you could be 5'0 and be effective at it

 

[FDF12389]

Originally posted by: Ilmater
I'm 6'9", and size isn't everything... it just helps. Do you have any experience fighting or with defensive combat? That would make all the difference to me.

Certainly your experience with other things would help, but before you tell them you illegally made IDs, you should consider that people that do that stuff threaten their liquor license, so they might not take kindly to that. Make it clear you're past that.

Kubaton & firearms training only. I would think they would want someone with my past experience checking IDs.

 

[zinfamous]

just remember to keep your sack of doorknobs on hand at all times and you'll be fine.

 

[PrinceofWands]

I'm 5'10", 200lbs, and I've worked security most of my life in empowered (means hands-on in security talk) positions. One position in particular required a LOT of combat, averaging over 200 assaults/restraints per year. I quickly learned that what my various martial arts instructors had always taught was completely true...size is totally meaningless unless they are of equal or better skill than you (in which case it's still only a minor benefit).

If you can handle yourself, you'll be fine. Size is irrelevant.

 

[ViviTheMage]

muscles??

 

[lightstar]

do some martial arts on the side to enhance your skills as a security guard/ bouncer

 

[lxskllr]

Size is good for intimidation factor, but definitely isn't essential to being a good bouncer. If you have confidence in your skills, and think you can handle situations, go for it.

 

[nakedfrog]

Can you maintain a stance of dominance?

 

[FDF12389]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Can you maintain a stance of dominance?

I won a captain pose off two years in a row at a local pub, does that count?

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: lightstar
do some martial arts on the side to enhance your skills as a security guard/ bouncer

Always good advice.

Security is roughly equivalent to law enforcement in how you have to fight, so jiujitsu/aikido is preferred, with judo or even wrestling close behind. Some escrima never hurt. If you want to be ready for the worst there's always krav maga. The basic idea is, no brawling and nothing fancy. Act only to put the other person into submission, or take them completely out of combat simply and effectively.

Bouncing is sometimes the same, but it's often the complete opposite with the owners WANTING you to be devastating and visual with what you do, so that you intimidate people and leave them reminders that they hopefully learn from. The tend to prefer striking arts.

The bottom line is, anything you do to train yourself physically will be of benefit. Hell, ballet and tai chi is gonna put you points ahead of someone with no training at all. It's all about learning kinesthetics, improving reactions/control, and getting exercise. Martial arts is just a more focused approach to it than other things.

 

[FDF12389]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I'm 5'10", 200lbs, and I've worked security most of my life in empowered (means hands-on in security talk) positions. One position in particular required a LOT of combat, averaging over 200 assaults/restraints per year. I quickly learned that what my various martial arts instructors had always taught was completely true...size is totally meaningless unless they are of equal or better skill than you (in which case it's still only a minor benefit).

If you can handle yourself, you'll be fine. Size is irrelevant.

I should clarify a bit, I'm not too worried about handling myself, it just doesn't seem like my chances of getting hired are that high, with no specific experience in this field and not being huge. I applied in person at two places and they just seemed to pick the biggest looking guys regardless of anything else.