What Is a Bouncer Job?

Duties of a Bouncer

A bouncer is a security guard employed at venues such as bars, clubs, casinos, and concerts. Their duties are to check IDs, monitor patrons, and deal with disruptive behavior. Typically bouncers do not need licenses, but some states require background checks or IDs. Skills like negotiation and staying calm play a vital role for bouncers.

According to PayScale, bouncers average $13.24 per hour, ranging from $9 to $21.62. Although some employers prefer tall, muscular bouncers, skills and training matter more than size or strength. Bouncers must balance patron safety and enjoyment with the club’s legal obligations through calm levelheadedness paired with self-defense skills.

Bouncers Training and Skills

Bouncers should have training in criminal and civil laws related to citizen’s arrest, legal use of force, and self-defense. The ideal martial arts for bouncers focus on self-defense techniques, such as boxing and Krav Maga. These skills are essential for bouncers to fight without getting hurt.

In the 1990s, bouncers were trained to use communication and conflict resolution before resorting to force. There are not many female bouncers, and they tend to experience different treatment from male bouncers. The State of California mandates 16 hours of job-specific training for bouncers on topics like legal citizen’s arrest protocols, use of force, and self-defense.

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