Working The Bar

17th of September 2019

I have many jobs on my resume that would make people question it because of it's diversity. I worked at a grocery store growing up, a few restaurants, a retail store, a radio station doing graphics and working the board, and I've enjoyed them all. I now work 3 jobs. One is at a news station. The most recent one I got is at my gym (for another article). I also work at a local bar as security. Some might call it a bouncer. I just call it security. There are good and bad about this job which I'll get into.

Since I started doing security at a local bar, I've become more aware of how irresponsible people can be. It's not just showing an ID, although I'll talk quite a bit about that. It's how they present themselves. When I say "present themselves" I'm not just talking about how they dress. I'm also talking about how they carry themselves in public. I'm talking about how they treat people. Sure, dress has something to do with it, but only to an extent. As far as I'm concerned, people can wear as little or as much as they want. I won't judge people on that. Why people wear so little is none of my concern. My concern is whether he or she is keeping other people from having a good time. Making sure people have a good time in a safe way is my job as security. However, some people don't like that.

Since I've started in on dress, let's keep going. The bar I work at has a slight dress code. It's not too bad. No wife beaters, cut-off shirts, bandanas or kuttes. I've had to ask many people to take off their bandanas. I wear bandanas myself, but I only wear them in the gym. I don't wear them to a bar. Why is it banned from the bar I work at, I don't know. I don't care either. The owners have said they don't want them in there, so I will enforce it. People piss and moan about it nonstop. My smart mouth might get me in trouble one of these days as well. One person kept asking "what's wrong with my bandana?" I replied "you wear those stupid little shoes out, and you're worried about your bandana?"

I don't make the dress code, but I'm paid to enforce it. If you don't like it, go somewhere else.

The biggest pet peeve is when people first get to the bar, they act surprised that I'm asking them for their ID. Whether it's a regular or someone who feels they look old enough, they get pissed. No ID, no entrance. I also will never know why people don't have them ready to present to the security at the door (door guy). Just show the ID. The only hold-up is you looking for it. Quit giving me excuses. You've been here many times? That's nice. Show me your fuckin' ID. I don't care how many times you've been here. I see many faces come in and out. You know the owner? That's nice. So do I. He's the one that pays me to check your fuckin' ID. Show me your ID, or come back again when you have it. I'm glad you know your age. You're old enough to know that you need your fuckin' ID to get in. You don't have your ID? Sorry, you're not getting in. Why are you walking around without your ID anyways?!

The ones that have their IDs come in interesting shapes. Some have bubbles in them for being in the car too long. Some of them apparently let their dog go to the store to try and pick up beer. I've even had one that was more of a jigsaw puzzle than an ID.

What really kills me is people who try to bring their kids in. The bar I work at has a DJ, and the music is loud. Why do people think it's ok to bring there kids in? It's one thing to take your kid to a bar & grill type place. They have food there. In Iowa, no minors can be in a bar that doesn't serve food. I had one guy try to get into it with me about this. He said "there's 16 year-olds drinking out here." That pissed me off. "I ID'ed them all, and they checked out. Now if you have proof that they're 16, show it. Otherwise, the door is right behind you." If someone plans on drinking, I don't think he or she should have minors with them. Having one beer is fine, but any more, you're walking a fine line.

One question I always get asked is how many people I kick out. It expands to how physical does it get. People want the juice. Truth is I don't kick many people out as much as I don't let in for not having an ID. I have kicked people out, but I don't talk about it too much unless it's with people I work with. Much like working at the news station and people trying to get dirt on the on-air talent, people want dirt on the bar I work at. However, bars are only as bad as the workers make it. And the one I work at, I feel we have a damn good bar. I'll start working at another local bar owned by the same people who own the one I currently work at. I've worked there once before, and I liked it. I love both places. Some call it glorified babysitting, and that might be. I'd like to call it telling people not to be stupid. However, we all make our own choices. I can only hope I help people make the ones that don't hurt.

Now, I save the best for last. I've met some great people while working there. Not just my coworkers, but I've met lots of people that come in. There's lots of different age groups that come in. People in their 20's up to their 80's. What can I say? Those are my people. A lot of them feel bad that I'm just sitting there looking bored. However, I'm actually happy to do it. I just wish I had a more comfortable chair. Most of the time, I'm pacing anyways.

Lots of people come in with there own story whether it's going to school or working. It's great to hear some of their stories: as long as they brush their teeth. A lot of the great people are the ones that have their IDs ready and greet me in some way. They flip a little shit, and I flip a little back. None of us is all that serious. They come to have a good time, and I'm there to make sure they have a good time.