Nightclub Doorman

Typical job description and responsibilities

On your course, you’ll learn modules that are essential to door supervisor work, including: 

Nightclub Doorman Duties and Responsibilities:

• checking the suitability of people entering the club
• Help people leave safely after they’ve been drinking inside the club. If someone has partied a bit too hard during their time in the venue and is becoming dangerous to themselves and other people, you might also need to politely encourage them to leave the premises.
• Carry out body searches and use metal detectors for detecting concealed weapons.

Door supervisors are also responsible for:  

• Controlling the crowd
• Ensuring safety and security
• Providing customer service and assistance
• Preventing crime and disorderly conduct

Other duties may also include:

• Collecting tickets
• Managing guest lists and VIPs 
• Restraining and escorting people from the venue
• Dealing with emergencies such as bomb threats, violent incidents, or medical emergencies
• Writing reports related to incidents that happen inside or outside near the club

Working Conditions

Keep in mind that door supervisor work is often physically demanding. Be prepared to be on your feet all the time. You also should know there are going to be shifts where you need to put up with cold or wet weather for long periods. 

You often get to go to work wearing your own clothes, but you might have to wear a suit and tie at some venues. You’re required to display your SIA badge at all times.

Skills and personal qualities required: 

A door supervisor needs:

• A good level of physical fitness
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• To be able to stay alert
• Good observational skills
• To be honest and trustworthy 
• To have a polite and courteous manner
• To have excellent decision-making skills
• To have good teamwork skills
• To be able to memorize faces
• To have a calm yet authoritative presence
• To have the ability to defuse conflict
• To be patient and flexible
• To have knowledge of licensing laws and health and safety regulations
• To have the ability to write basic reports and detail events accurately

Benefits of the job:

There are several benefits you’ll enjoy when working as a door person, including:

• Boosting your earnings
• Being more active
• Challenging yourself
• Meeting new people
• Working as part of a team
• Flexibility
• The opportunity to work a second job
• You could get to meet famous people playing at some clubs
• Some customers happily tip door supervisors on their way into or out of the club

When you train and work as a door supervisor, you gain skills that you can also transfer to other jobs, including life-saving first aid knowledge. As well as improving your interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills, you gain more confidence with every shift.