Story by: Bryce Hollins
The life of a bouncer is one filled with late nights and unexpected excitement, at times staying up until 4 a.m. cleaning the bar, or kicking drunken customers out after they’ve had one too many.
“I would describe it as exciting/curious,” said Nathan Hobert, a 23-year-old student at Central Michigan University, who used to work at the Blue Gator, Encore, The Nightclub and Blackstone in downtown Mount Pleasant. “Every night is different. It was kind of a fun environment.”
Hobert’s responsibilities were somewhat dependent on where he worked each night but the essence of the job was always the same —to make sure everything was running as intended and everyone was safe
“I would describe it as exciting/curious,” said Nathan Hobert, a 23-year-old student at Central Michigan University, who used to work at the Blue Gator, Encore, The Nightclub and Blackstone in downtown Mount Pleasant. “Every night is different. It was kind of a fun environment.”
Hobert’s responsibilities were somewhat dependent on where he worked each night but the essence of the job was always the same —to make sure everything was running as intended and everyone was safe
“I used to check IDs, clean bottles up, make sure the bathrooms are all not destroyed,” said Hobert. “Then just sit back and make sure everything runs smoothly.”
Being a bouncer in a college town is a unique experience. The people who you are often in charge of keeping in check are your peers, classmates and even at times your friends. While this can be frustrating, it can also help improve your time on the job. “My favorite thing is making a connection to the people around,” said Hobert. “Talking to people and making new friends. Kind of just hanging out. “I enjoy late nights anyway, so it’s perfect. I mean, I really just enjoy being around the environment.” |
However, there are always two sides to each story. While some nights go by quietly without problems, others can be filled with mayhem.
“At nightime, it kind of gets disgusting,” said Hobert. “You get to clean out toilets and stuff like that, all kinds of broke stuff.
“Late nights staying up until about 3:30-4 o’clock cleaning after everybody.”
Even though Hobert is thankful he doesn’t have to worry about the late nights or drunk college students any longer, he still has plenty of memories from his time watching the entrance and checking IDs.
“One night me and my partner had to break up a fight in the bar,” said Hobert. “We had to throw a guy out because he was trying to put a chokehold on somebody.
“That was probably one of my most interesting nights.”
Twenty-six-year-old TJ Johnson’s bouncer experience is pretty similar to Nathan Hobert’s, also working at Blue Gator, Encore, The Nightclub and Blackstone, but Johnson has been working there for almost two years now.
“My job is just to make sure everybody has a fun night, nobody is feeling uncomfortable or getting treated any type of way where we just feel like it's not acceptable,” said Johnson. “Try not to let people get cornered off or get too drunk or intoxicated.”
While ensuring the night is fun for all customers, safety has to be a main focus for the bouncers. Most nights go by without problems, though after two years, Johnson has seen a lot.
“There is a little bit of confrontation if need be,” said Johnson. “It’s important to just be focused on the job. A lot of things can happen if you lose track or wander off.
“I’ve seen fights, I've seen people drunk to the point where they had to be carried out, to the point where they’re not themselves anymore.”
“At nightime, it kind of gets disgusting,” said Hobert. “You get to clean out toilets and stuff like that, all kinds of broke stuff.
“Late nights staying up until about 3:30-4 o’clock cleaning after everybody.”
Even though Hobert is thankful he doesn’t have to worry about the late nights or drunk college students any longer, he still has plenty of memories from his time watching the entrance and checking IDs.
“One night me and my partner had to break up a fight in the bar,” said Hobert. “We had to throw a guy out because he was trying to put a chokehold on somebody.
“That was probably one of my most interesting nights.”
Twenty-six-year-old TJ Johnson’s bouncer experience is pretty similar to Nathan Hobert’s, also working at Blue Gator, Encore, The Nightclub and Blackstone, but Johnson has been working there for almost two years now.
“My job is just to make sure everybody has a fun night, nobody is feeling uncomfortable or getting treated any type of way where we just feel like it's not acceptable,” said Johnson. “Try not to let people get cornered off or get too drunk or intoxicated.”
While ensuring the night is fun for all customers, safety has to be a main focus for the bouncers. Most nights go by without problems, though after two years, Johnson has seen a lot.
“There is a little bit of confrontation if need be,” said Johnson. “It’s important to just be focused on the job. A lot of things can happen if you lose track or wander off.
“I’ve seen fights, I've seen people drunk to the point where they had to be carried out, to the point where they’re not themselves anymore.”
Overall, Johnson enjoys the experience. Not many jobs allow you to be in such an outgoing environment where you are asked to mostly observe and respond if needed while also being around your peers.
“I like communicating with people,” said Johnson. “You do a lot of people-watching. “I like to help people feel safe, establish a line of security.” While a bouncer's job is similar regardless of the bar they are employed at, each place has its own environment, customer base, and overall vibe that sets itself apart from others. |
“Rubbles is kind of one of the slower bars in town,” said 24-year-old Rubbles Bar bouncer Alex Frederick. “Its only got a capacity of a little over 100 people.
“Just because it’s slow doesn't mean there’s not anything interesting happening.”
Frederick has only worked at Rubbles since August, but he can already tell the difference between the crowd at Rubbles and other bars in the area.
Rubbles is known as more of a “townie” bar, where Mount Pleasant locals go to grab a drink after work. However, since there was a change in ownership, the bar's customer demographic has slowly started to change.
“Rubbles used to kind of be solely a townie bar, but I feel like the crowds diversified a little bit,” said Frederick. “The college crowd has been coming a lot more for karaoke especially.”
This change in demographic is welcomed by Frederick, who has noticed a difference between the two crowds in the relatively short amount of time he has been there.
“Despite what people may think, I feel like the older crowd is a little harder to deal with than the college crowd,” said Frederick. “ When you're older, you're a little more stubborn. I feel like people think they can do what they want.
“I feel like college kids, you know, they're still coming up in life. They’re a little more timid, regardless of who they are.”
Though regardless of who comes in, Fredericks's job stays the same.
While Rubbles is a slower bar compared to the others around Mount Pleasant, and Frederick has only worked for a short period of time, he has still seen quite a bit in his time bouncing.
One night while Frederick was on the job, a customer in line got too drunk and puked outside the entrance.
“I told him he had to leave, and he had on a red flannel when he left,” said Frederick. “About 30 minutes later, I am going outside and I meet him at the door and he has a blue flannel on.
“He just did a little costume change.”
Even after being told to leave a second time, the customer returned once again to try and get into the bar, this time after the bar was already closed.
“I was just like ‘Hey man, this is the third time I’m kicking you out. You don’t want to push your luck for the future,’” said Frederick.
Being a bouncer in a college town can be an interesting experience filled with both good and bad memories. From overly drunk folks, to bar fights and all in between, it doesn’t take many shifts for a bouncer to get the full experience. Many people likely wouldn’t have what it takes.
While they may seem like inconveniences at times, bouncers are an essential piece in keeping the bar scenes organized, controlled, and most importantly safe for all those involved.
“It’s important to show up and be accountable,” said TJ Johnson.
“Just because it’s slow doesn't mean there’s not anything interesting happening.”
Frederick has only worked at Rubbles since August, but he can already tell the difference between the crowd at Rubbles and other bars in the area.
Rubbles is known as more of a “townie” bar, where Mount Pleasant locals go to grab a drink after work. However, since there was a change in ownership, the bar's customer demographic has slowly started to change.
“Rubbles used to kind of be solely a townie bar, but I feel like the crowds diversified a little bit,” said Frederick. “The college crowd has been coming a lot more for karaoke especially.”
This change in demographic is welcomed by Frederick, who has noticed a difference between the two crowds in the relatively short amount of time he has been there.
“Despite what people may think, I feel like the older crowd is a little harder to deal with than the college crowd,” said Frederick. “ When you're older, you're a little more stubborn. I feel like people think they can do what they want.
“I feel like college kids, you know, they're still coming up in life. They’re a little more timid, regardless of who they are.”
Though regardless of who comes in, Fredericks's job stays the same.
While Rubbles is a slower bar compared to the others around Mount Pleasant, and Frederick has only worked for a short period of time, he has still seen quite a bit in his time bouncing.
One night while Frederick was on the job, a customer in line got too drunk and puked outside the entrance.
“I told him he had to leave, and he had on a red flannel when he left,” said Frederick. “About 30 minutes later, I am going outside and I meet him at the door and he has a blue flannel on.
“He just did a little costume change.”
Even after being told to leave a second time, the customer returned once again to try and get into the bar, this time after the bar was already closed.
“I was just like ‘Hey man, this is the third time I’m kicking you out. You don’t want to push your luck for the future,’” said Frederick.
Being a bouncer in a college town can be an interesting experience filled with both good and bad memories. From overly drunk folks, to bar fights and all in between, it doesn’t take many shifts for a bouncer to get the full experience. Many people likely wouldn’t have what it takes.
While they may seem like inconveniences at times, bouncers are an essential piece in keeping the bar scenes organized, controlled, and most importantly safe for all those involved.
“It’s important to show up and be accountable,” said TJ Johnson.