Transferable Skillsets from Nightclub Security Professionals

The skills learned working behind the velvet rope can be transferred to a wide variety of security and public safety career paths.

In fact, I would venture to say that one should almost seek out the experience before pursuing some of those paths. I say this because within the walls of that club, you encounter such a vast amount of people, cultures, and potential threats, and to meet all these challenges, the nightclub security professional must be well-equipped and prepared physically and mentally. In order to get the best out of these encounters, it’s important to understand the skills required and the skills that are being developed every time you step behind the velvet rope.

To be effective at any task, we must be in tune with our talents and aware of areas for improvement. Having a strong focus on your talents, whether it be effective communication, security presence, or conflict resolution, will help you seek ways to succeed.

As a twenty-one-year-old placed in charge of a club security team, I was at a bit of a disadvantage. Being young and looking every bit of my age could diminish the security presence at the venue and put a barrier between me and older patrons and staff. I had no weapon, no size, (and very poor cellular reception, so even calling 911 was a challenge). Instead, I had to rely on my charm, professional demeanor, and excellent communication skills to not only establish rapport with guests, but also enforce venue rules when lines were crossed. It may not have been the most intimidating approach, but it was extremely effective.

Practical Exercise: While working, pay close attention to how patrons perceive and interact with you as compared to others. Do a self-examination of your personality, identify the traits that work most effectively, and start implementing them in every interaction. This includes your facial expressions, such as smiles and serious expressions. The goal is for patrons to be comfortable with you enough to enjoy themselves, but also respect you when you have to make a correction. Finding your professional tone takes time, but once you hit your stride, you will master your space, enhancing both your confidence and the confidence others have in you.

Nightclub venues have their own specialized set of threats. Some are common across multiple venues, while others are specific to a venue’s configuration or demographics. Overall, we know a couple of things are certain: there will be alcohol, and there will more than likely be illegal drug use. In order to be most prepared for this threat, it is wise to get familiar with the drugs that are popular in club culture. It is also important to understand how alcohol and drugs will most likely affect the individual.

This education will put you ahead of the curve when it comes to assessing potential threats from your patrons. It will also help you prepare your responses to these incidents, whether they involve physical countermeasures or medical aid. For all other threats facing your venue, be sure to document all incidents and persons of interest, and do not be afraid to connect with other venues to see if there are common trends in their establishments.

Practical exercise: while walking the floors of your venue, try to quantify the number of people you see that have dilated pupils, flushed red faces, pinpoint pupils, and any other odd signs of substance use outside of alcohol. This will help you narrow down what kind of drugs are coming into the venue, and based on further research, you may be able to find ways to prevent them from coming in down the line.

Verbal interactions in nightlife settings can sometimes be difficult due to loud music and dim lighting. As professionals, we may be responding to the various types of conflicts within the walls of our establishment, and oftentimes, a couple of roadhouse-style roundhouse kicks will not be the proper response. In cases like this, it is important that we learn to be effective with the fewest words. 

When approaching conflict, especially when it’s involving two opposing parties it is beneficial to do so with another guard, this will allow you both to physically step in front of the two patrons and talk them down in separate corners. The verbiage used when talking down an angry person is also important, phrases such as “Hey let’s bring it down a bit, or tell me how I can help you” is much more effective than trying to shout over them. If you have a person who is insistent on being loud and throwing insults at you, it’s probably best to simply agree with their statements and elaborate more on why they are right as you walk them towards the door. In all of this, it is important to put your ego aside and make it clear to the patrons that what you ask them to do is not negotiable. Be as friendly as possible, but remember you are there to do a job.

Practical exercise: Read the book Verbal Judo. Although the title was written from the perspective of a law enforcement professional, it is a good foundation for security professionals to learn a higher form of authoritative communication. Outside of reading the book, next time you work, be sure not to treat your next encounter so routinely. Really take the time to pay attention to the words you choose and to how patrons respond. We all have our own personalities; no one will apply techniques in the same way. It is important to develop your voice and methods of verbal intervention.

In conclusion, there are many skills that can be developed within the walls of a nightclub venue. I spent over five years working in various clubs throughout Los Angeles and have used these exact exercises listed.  Over time, the lessons learned and skills developed have helped me grow throughout the industry, and I continue to use them in the close protection sector. I am a believer that you should gain knowledge from all places, and the techniques acquired in the dynamic club environment can certainly be utilized beyond the velvet rope.

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