How Essex Bouncers Keep Our Clubs and Bars Safe

Essex bouncers at a bar

Essex’s reputation is double edged – we are renowned for having some of the best nightclubs and bars outside of the capital, but at the same time, things can get a bit rough on a Saturday night. This week we learn how bouncers in Essex are helping keep our clubs safe, and save the reputation of Essex’s pubs, bars and clubs.

Bouncers are a common sight in almost every city and that too if you go out on a Friday or Saturday night. A bouncer is basically a security professional that works for bars, pubs, nightclubs, and other establishments to ensure the safety of the patrons, protection against vandalism, and other crimes. 

Since the bouncers are often the first and the last people that the guests see when attending some event, a bouncer must be friendly, calm, professional as well as know how to control every type of a situation. The work schedule for bouncers varies as they work late nights or even during early mornings. 

Educational qualifications of a bouncer

A GED or high school diploma is required for getting the bouncer job. But there are some places where maybe none of this is required. Some venues and establishments give training to the bouncers to accommodate as per their work scenario. 

In the United Kingdom, they are even termed as door supervisors, and they should hold a license from the Security Industry Authority. The training takes about 32 hours, which includes conflict management, training on behaviour, criminal and civil law, drug awareness, crime scene preservation, search and arrest, licensing law, physical intervention, emergency processes, equal opportunities, etc. Also, licenses for the bouncers should be renewed every three years. 

Roles and responsibilities 

Bouncers have many tasks at hand. They are responsible for removing patrons from the venues, but the major part of their job is conflict resolution and customer services. A good bouncer can handle a violent patron tactfully and avoid a fight breakout. 

Following are the duties of a bouncer: 

Controlling the crowd– This part of the job starts with controlling the heavy flow of traffic in a bar, club, or any other venue and includes removing the patrons that are too rowdy. The bouncers here have to use their problem-solving skills to handle the disputes amicably and contacting respective authorities in case a situation gets out of his control. 

Ensure safety and security– Guests at the bars and nightclubs drink heavily, and that can create a sort of unsafe environment. So, it is the responsibility of the bouncer to ensure that everyone is secure. This may even include frisking the patrons to see if they don’t have any drugs, weapons or other illegal items. 

Identification check– As bouncers are employed often in places where alcohol is served, they should check the guest ID at the entrance to ensure every person that enters the establishment is at least 21 years old. Bouncers should also be proficient in identifying fake IDs and restricting the entry of such patrons. 

Check guest list and dress code– Some events are “invite-only,” and so the bouncer must stop the uninvited people from entering in. They should also ensure that the guests adhere to the dress code of the establishment or event. 

Greet the guests– Bouncers have to be friendly and calm with the guests. Interaction with the bouncer should be a good experience. 

So this was all about who is a bouncer and the duties they undertake. Now, if you are employer, interested in hiring a bouncer, check for the following skills and criteria:

Physical fitness

Bouncers have to be fit to remove people forcibly whenever required. Club and bar owners prefer to hire bouncers that are tall and huge. 

Familiar with safety devices and protocols

A good bouncer should know how to keep the crowd safe. They must also be aware of the right time to involve the police to avoid bad situations. 

Security experience

Bouncers sometimes need to make split-second decisions. Thus having prior security experience will help them to indulge in any overreactions, bad decision making, etc. 


Situational problems that arise when people are intoxicated, a good bouncer must be able to resolve such issues effectively and quickly. 

Prompt and alert

Patrolling a huge crowd requires the bouncer to be alert, prompt, and have excellent vision. They should also be highly observant of the situations and surroundings. 

Every event with a huge crowd should have a bouncer to take care of the safety and security of the patrons. If you see that you have it in you to tackle different situations without taking resort to force, this job may be the perfect option for you. 

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