Sat night I went out for a friends Birthday. Knowing we were going to be clubbing we all got suited and booted so not a single T-shirt in sight.

To be clear:

*I was wearing smart jeans, black shirt and navy trainer style shoes.
*Wayne was wearing similar, again with trainer style shoes.
*Lee was wearing shirt AND trousers, black leather shoes.
*Bri shirt and shoes again.

We had 2 pints in the dev cat, 1 in Varsity and then went to meet the others in Takapuna approx 10:30pm. Not drunk, not rowdy, just relatively sensible 4 lads on a night out. All mid to late 20’s

First thing is the place was at max half full, yet they made us queue outside. I can only assume this was to give the impression it was both popular, busy and or exclusive of some kind?

After a few minutes we got to the front of the queue and they split us up, bri got in no problem as did wayne with his trainer shoes. As soon as we got let past the fist bouncer the second stopped Lee on the inner door.

“are they steel toe caps”? nope, they were just shoes.

“well your not coming in cos they are doccers”, erm no they are bog standard shoes, not a brand, label and deffo not a doccer type shoe.

“oh right your ok then” so we turned to go through the inner door and was stopped again. The same bouncer than asked some woman what she thought and she nodded a NO

“not coming in mate” and pointed us back outside. ????? WTF?

2 of us in trainer shoes get in no problem and they stop the smartest looking guy out of 4 because he didn’t look right? For the record wayne and myself are big as brick sh*t houses, lee is scrawny, so it wasn’t a physical threatening thing etc?

I just don’t understand it.

Luckily they gave both wayne and bri a refund YOU HAVE TO PAY TO GET IN!!!!! and we spent our money somewhere else!!?

I simply don’t understand why, clearly they didn’t like his face, or maybe it was his hearing aid!!?
Fingers X’d places like this will go bust cos they don’t deserve custom!

Rant over! :)

If i pub does that to me, i vow never to go again, and let them keep their crappy beer:rant:

Takapuna is a bit like that - I've been in and they have an 'exclusive' VIP area in the top room. Its basically just a roped off bit of the club with floaty white sheets and more chairs..... so exclusive I walked in with a friend and out again!

I think they try to make it seem a bit more up market than it really is!

Bad luck though boys - money will be better spent elsewhere without the hassle

:clap:

They did you a favour my friend.

Takapuna has to be one of the most pretentious bars I have ever seen. They do make people queue to give the impression of popularity.

They have a cheek to charge cos later on the place is rammed to the point of discomfort and the drinks aren't exactly cheap either.

You'll also find quite often that bouncers don't like to atagonise big guys, it's little wonder your smaller friend was stopped and you two were let in. They don't actually want to get their hands dirty and have to 'bounce' anyone that might be difficult to bounce.

I'd tak ethat one as a 'lesson learned' and just avoid in future...

I'm not saying that the treatment was right, but just to be aware, it does get fuller than you think upstairs. It can give the illusion of being empty when it isn't.

Not saying this was the case when you went, mind. :)

The idea of standing in a queue for a pub just doesn't seem right to me.

You know that if people are lining up outside, then they're rammed inside...that's a signal to find another pub, not queue in the cold for the honour of being deemed worthy of entrance by the doorstaff.

Wow am quite surprised to see this thread to be honest.
I used to be head doorman at Takapuna some time ago before I retired from the trade (back in 04).

The place does have a door policy with regards to dress and group size (men especially) which were given as recomendation from South Yorkshire finest as it happens to help combat the amount of footie hooligans which were let in the place.

Now I don't run the door their anymoreso cannot say what happened and I can sympathise with the OP if they were turned away.

The woman you refer to would have been a door picker which they introduced in 03. The pickers changes from time to time but the job they do is essentially the same.
Now there job is essentially to make sure the door policy is adhered to.

I.e. Any clothes from the banned list are not allowed in the venue, any groups of lads (more than 4 usually) not allowed in the venue unless accompanied by the fairer sex thus being in couples, no known trouble causers in the venue and no too casual clothes being worn.

Now depending on the picker it can be more of a case if your face doesn't fit or your clothes don't fully match up to their standards then they say no. They have the say on the front door over the door staff (unless it's a security matter then door staff over rule).
If youget a good picker they stick to the policy and that's that.. if not then it's pot luck.

I'm sorry this was the case for you mate and can assure it's not something the management like to hear. If you feel you have a genuine grievance then I would say contact the management during the day when no door staff operate and you can deal direct with management.

They're very friendly and are happy to hear all sides, you may even get some drinks/food vouchers for your troubles.

I hope it doesn't put you off going (although I can appreciate it would) because I still like the place and try to promote it on here whenever possible.
However I understand if it's a case of once bitten twice shy sort of thing.

All the best anyway :thumbsup:

they have always been fine when i have been down too- i like takapuna, its a nice little bar with some good nights on upstairs!!

Takapuna is a horrid place. Ultra pretentious. Can't stand it.
Poor location anyway.

I cant understand this 'no groups larger than 4'.

This essentially means that if you have more than 3 friends you cant get in anywhere.

Went for a works night out the other week, and before we even had a drink were turned away because we were in a group. This was a smartish group of 6 between mid 20's and 50's. It wasnt because we were drunk, or the place was full, but they very politely explained their policy was not to let in groups. (This was Walkabout BTW)

Obviously they were just following the rules, but all this achives is turning away custom, when the prospective patrons are obviously not drunk, or a gang of troublemakers.

Crazy, but whatchgonnado?

Originally posted by floyd77
I cant understand this 'no groups larger than 4'.

This essentially means that if you have more than 3 friends you cant get in anywhere.

Went for a works night out the other week, and before we even had a drink were turned away because we were in a group. This was a smartish group of 6 between mid 20's and 50's. It wasnt because we were drunk, or the place was full, but they very politely explained their policy was not to let in groups. (This was Walkabout BTW)

Obviously they were just following the rules, but all this achives is turning away custom, when the prospective patrons are obviously not drunk, or a gang of troublemakers.

Crazy, but whatchgonnado?
Drink elsewhere?

Originally posted by Carmine
Drink elsewhere?

Precisely!!

Very funny. :roll:

Originally posted by floyd77
Very funny. :roll:
I didn't intend it as a joke or a jibe at you, mate!

I'm of the opinion that if a pub or club operates a door policy that means my companions and I are not welcome I'll try somewhere else and give my custom to someone who wants it.

Originally posted by Carmine
I didn't intend it as a joke or a jibe at you, mate!

I'm of the opinion that if a pub or club operates a door policy that means my companions and I are not welcome I'll try somewhere else and give my custom to someone who wants it.

I understand, and am of the same opinion - I guess I was just commenting on the ridiculous situation where a pub wants customers, but turns them away if they turn up more than 4 at a time.

But yes, personally I wouldnt even argue to get into a pub. If they dont welcome my business, then I'll go somewhere that does.
I especially despise those places who have morons on the door on some kind of power trip. Plenty of places have good bouncers who are perfectly civil, so I'll go there.

Originally posted by floyd77
I cant understand this 'no groups larger than 4'.

This essentially means that if you have more than 3 friends you cant get in anywhere.

Went for a works night out the other week, and before we even had a drink were turned away because we were in a group. This was a smartish group of 6 between mid 20's and 50's. It wasnt because we were drunk, or the place was full, but they very politely explained their policy was not to let in groups. (This was Walkabout BTW)

Obviously they were just following the rules, but all this achives is turning away custom, when the prospective patrons are obviously not drunk, or a gang of troublemakers.

Crazy, but whatchgonnado?
Yes I can understand the frustration with this one as I have been in the same predicament.

The door policy at Takapuna like I say was created from guidlines passed onto the management by SYP. Why? Well the reasoning is that the group of men shouldn't be greater than the door staff on the venue in numbers (as a guideline).

Thus if the group turn a little rowdy due to excess alcohol and one to one policy is maintained.
However if there is a group of 8 men and 4 door staff then you're in a two to one situation which could be potentially dangerous.

Characteristsics show that football firms tend to operate a strength in numbers ratio. Thus you stop larger groups of men (large depends on the door staff ratio) from entering the venue to maintain these guidelines. It's about adopting a safe policy for the venue and the patrons inside.

At the end of the day it's about ALL the customers within the venue having a good and safe evening and unfortunately being in this PC world we cannot say it's ok for one groups of guys to come in who are in a group over your door ratio and not to another.
So for me at that time anyway... it's one rule for all... and that rule was from management anyway.

Now I know walkabout especially have a big problem with football firms so they are incredibly strict with their policy on letting in large groups. Best thing to do is split up into groups of no more than 3 and make your way in seperately.

Once you're in you're in.

Like I say I can see how frustrating it is from both sides of the story, but the door policies are in place as set out by SYP guidelines and are there for everyones safety.

And I'm not even a doorman anymore :P

Originally posted by DaBouncer
Wow am quite surprised to see this thread to be honest.
I used to be head doorman at Takapuna some time ago before I retired from the trade (back in 04).

The place does have a door policy with regards to dress and group size (men especially) which were given as recomendation from South Yorkshire finest as it happens to help combat the amount of footie hooligans which were let in the place.

Now I don't run the door their anymoreso cannot say what happened and I can sympathise with the OP if they were turned away.

The woman you refer to would have been a door picker which they introduced in 03. The pickers changes from time to time but the job they do is essentially the same.
Now there job is essentially to make sure the door policy is adhered to.

I.e. Any clothes from the banned list are not allowed in the venue, any groups of lads (more than 4 usually) not allowed in the venue unless accompanied by the fairer sex thus being in couples, no known trouble causers in the venue and no too casual clothes being worn.

Now depending on the picker it can be more of a case if your face doesn't fit or your clothes don't fully match up to their standards then they say no. They have the say on the front door over the door staff (unless it's a security matter then door staff over rule).
If youget a good picker they stick to the policy and that's that.. if not then it's pot luck.

I'm sorry this was the case for you mate and can assure it's not something the management like to hear. If you feel you have a genuine grievance then I would say contact the management during the day when no door staff operate and you can deal direct with management.

They're very friendly and are happy to hear all sides, you may even get some drinks/food vouchers for your troubles.

I hope it doesn't put you off going (although I can appreciate it would) because I still like the place and try to promote it on here whenever possible.
However I understand if it's a case of once bitten twice shy sort of thing.

All the best anyway :thumbsup:


WOW nice to hear from someone in the know. I actually reworded this thread to make it less negative as from only one night I can't assume this kind of thing went on, but was disapointed to get this kind of hassle especially as we were following all the dress codes and criteria you listed above.

I'm not going to take out a greivance or take it any further, instead I choose to vote with my cash. Like Kingdom this place will never see a penny from my wallet and probably from the wallets of my mates that were involved ever again.

On the plus side the did refund the entry cost to my 2 friends as we had got split up and the 2nd pair couldn't get in. This at least was decent because I'm sure other places wouldn't have done the same.

cheers, Al :)

Originally posted by DaBouncer
Wow am quite surprised to see this thread to be honest.
I used to be head doorman at Takapuna some time ago before I retired from the trade (back in 04).

They're very friendly and are happy to hear all sides, you may even get some drinks/food vouchers for your troubles.



So I assume you were in charge in 2004 when my mate's girlfriend got seriously groped by some low-life and having verbally defended her, he got smacked in the head twice in front of the 'bouncers'??? Only when he got the 'upper-hand' did they jump in, stop the fight and call the police.

Comes to light that this pervert was a mate of the bouncers.

Shame your ex-bouncers behaviour doesn't match the self-righteous articulate nature of your posts on this forum.

From my experience of the doorstaff at this hole, pumped-up jobsworth arrogance springs to mind. And thats ignoring my mates experience.

The only good bouncers that I've met have had an IQ to match their bicep size. And there's none of them here.

As another poster said, my money's going elsewhere and went elsewhere a long time ago.

Avoid, unless you know a doorman or deal.

let's face it (sorry Da bouncer) sometimes doormen can be a bit inconsistent. Tha other week I had some nice discreet trainer types on and tried the Halcyon on Div St .IMy mate got in with the white-ist trainers ever, five mins later I got refused. Back to the Takapuna, I've always been ok but the busier it gets the more likely you are to get pulled. Don't use it again it's nowt special anyway

Takapuna is one of those hell holes which is full of people who think they are someone special. Full of look at me people. The doorstaff aren't the best either.

Originally posted by cheesycheese
So I assume you were in charge in 2004 when my mate's girlfriend got seriously groped by some low-life and having verbally defended her, he got smacked in the head twice in front of the 'bouncers'??? Only when he got the 'upper-hand' did they jump in, stop the fight and call the police.

Comes to light that this pervert was a mate of the bouncers.

Shame your ex-bouncers behaviour doesn't match the self-righteous articulate nature of your posts on this forum.

From my experience of the doorstaff at this hole, pumped-up jobsworth arrogance springs to mind. And thats ignoring my mates experience.

The only good bouncers that I've met have had an IQ to match their bicep size. And there's none of them here.

As another poster said, my money's going elsewhere and went elsewhere a long time ago.

Avoid, unless you know a doorman or deal.
Whoa where did that come from.
Yes I could well have been in charge, however whether or not I was on duty is another matter. When (roughly) during 2004 did this incident take place?
Was a complaint made to the management and Sheffield City Council? How do you 'know' that the 'pervert' was a mate of the bouncers?

don't get me wrong I'm not disputing your accusation but it seems a little convenient for someone with only 2 posts under their belt to find this thread and decide to have a go at the only person defending Takapuna.

Now if this incident did take place as you say, no matter if the individual was a mate of the door staff or not if a fight broke out or we caught wind of what was happening we would have put a stop to the situation. We don't wait to see who gets the upper hand.

In regards to my self-righteous posts, please point me to something I have obviously written which offends you and if applicable I will defend it, and if I'm wrong I will apologise.

What this comes across as is someone who obviously is upset with Takapuna policy one way or another and just wants to let off steam at the only person willing to offer themselves as being involved one way or another with the bar (in the past).

I can assure you I don't have a chip on my shoulder with regards to me having been a doorman or during the time I was a doorman.
I don't want to get into the debate of IQ size with you because obviously the way you have presented yourself here proves your IQ isn't all that ;)

However I'm not here to call people names or discuss what they may or may not have done in a previous career... however if I have done wrong then I will wholeheartedly apologise.

Originally posted by Little_Alex
let's face it (sorry Da bouncer) sometimes doormen can be a bit inconsistent. Tha other week I had some nice discreet trainer types on and tried the Halcyon on Div St .IMy mate got in with the white-ist trainers ever, five mins later I got refused. Back to the Takapuna, I've always been ok but the busier it gets the more likely you are to get pulled. Don't use it again it's nowt special anyway
It's OK, I am aware and have worked with some arrogant doorman in my time to know there are bad seeds out there who do the job for a power trip.

I on the other hand did the job because it was good paid money. I needed the money at the time so that's the work I did (as well as holding down a full time day job).

When I got to the stage where I no longer needed the money I retired and that was that.
I enjoyed my job but sometimes it was a scary situation.

I felt I was good at my job and never had a complaint against me all the time I was a doorsupervisor.
A member of the public who turned out to be a presenter on BBC Radio Sheffield felt I had provided her with such good customer care that she interviewed me for a spot on her show (which I still have recorded) so I can't have been that bad.

However that's not to say I'm not human and I can and probably did make wrong decisions at times. However on the whole I feel I did a good job.

I would never even consider entering an establishment that tried to make me wait outside. The only time I will wait is at a top restaurant. If an establishment even dared to question what I was wearing they would lose my money instantly.

Only once have I ever been stopped entering an establishment and I firmly but politely told the person responsible that I would be raising the incident with the bar owner the next day when we were due to play golf.

As for Takapuna it sounds horrendous. Do yourself a favour and go to an establishment that values its customers more than to make them wait outside and be subjected to a farcical selection process.

but most bars/pubs on West st now have this queuing thing on Saturdays.

I wouldn;t mind if they were any good.

I had an experience at Takapuna about a year ago which turned out to be very satisfying.

I used to work with the manager in my previous job and myself and 4 of my mates tried to get into the bar only to be stoppped by some snotty cow (a picker!). I asked if I could speak to the manager (won't say her name on here) and she asked me if I knew a way to get in touch with her personally. I said 'No' because I didn't have her mobile number or anything.

As we were walking away I had a thought - I phoned 118 118 and got the phone number for Takapuna. After about 5 minutes of ringing (I was determined to get through), someone answered and I asked them to tell the manager to come to the front door. She greeted me with open arms, in front of the snotty cow, and I said 'Can we come in your bar please?'. She said 'Sure' and moved the snotty cow out of the way, we didn't even pay, when everyone else had to.

If you could have seen the look on the snotty cow's face - it was priceless. It made our night.

I run the comedy night at Takapuna and feel that just because my night is held there, there are loads of people who won't turn up just because of the venue and something that has nothing to do with me and my night! This isn't the first post on the forum where people have slagged off city centre bars for their door policies - it's been happening for a while. If you know that you will be going out in a group, it might be best to phone ahead and let the venue know you are coming or better still ask to see if it's possible for a group to gain entry. That way, both parties will be happy I'm sure.

BTW I welcome groups of people to the comedy night (next event's on Wednesday: see notices & events)

I currently work at Takapuna as a DJ and some of the posts on here are just comical - for gods sake it is the city centre on a weekend night - q'ing is expected and the whole thing of holding people outside when it may seem quiet downstairs well thats cos you can't see upstairs from the door at taka which may very well be busy and even if its not it is common practice to try and make a venue seem more popular that it may be - deal with it - Takapuna does attract a more 'trendy' crowd (i hate that term) and unfortunately those kind of people like to be seen in busier places - management realise this and act accordingly - and as for the door policy thats cos house music always has and always will attract that kind of crowd ( I however play breaks down stairs where the crowd is definitely different) if there were no rules in the town centre bars/clubs none of you would probably go out cos of all the trouble!
:loopy:

Originally posted by KidPhunk
....it is common practice to try and make a venue seem more popular that it may be - deal with it - Takapuna does attract a more 'trendy' crowd (i hate that term) and unfortunately those kind of people like to be seen in busier places - management realise this and act accordingly ....

Doesn't the fact that these 'trendy' types like to be seen in places that are made to seem more busy than they actually are illustrate just how fickle they are? The whole thing is nothing more than an illusion, perhaps akin to their sense of self-importance. Give me a 'genuinely' quieter venue any day of the week.

The whole 'face selection' process is so unbelievably pretentious and supercilious it's a wonder they haven't gone out of business already. I can see it now, the new style business model, "we pick our customers based on whether they have a mullet or not." Embarassingly ridiculous.

You are right JonJParr - I am not defending Taka's clientelle as sometimes I don't like it - I am however defending the venue and the people who work there - sometimes customers are painfully fickle but for every one person like that there are two nice people - don't tarr everyone with the same brush. There is no such thing as a perfect venue people will always find something to complain about.

Originally posted by KidPhunk
You are right JonJParr - I am not defending Taka's clientelle as sometimes I don't like it - I am however defending the venue and the people who work there - sometimes customers are painfully fickle but for every one person like that there are two nice people - don't tarr everyone with the same brush. There is no such thing as a perfect venue people will always find something to complain about.

Who's to say that customers actually want this "if your face fits" door policy? Has Takapuna done longitudinal market research into it? You complain about me "tarring everyone with the same brush" yet you defend a venue that does just that. Can't you see how flawed your argument is?

I don't realy bother with town at the weekend, it's too much hassle, the crowds, the queues, the dress codes etc. etc.
In the week you get none of that and can have a pleasant night out wearing what you like.

Precisely Nick. Why should I have to adhere to what these so called 'pickers' [probably being paid no more than £5 an hour I might add...] think is suitable? If I want to wear chinos and a polo shirt so what? If I want to wear a Gucci shirt and trousers so what? I don't think businesses [which is at the end of the day what they are] should be enforcing such foolishly arrogant policies.

How would it be even slightly possible for takapuna to take their clientelle on anything apart from face value hence tarring people with the same brush - are they meant to have a CV for everyone who attends sent in advance!! A decision is made at the door and as Da Bouncer said this may sometimes be wrong - however time is money in this kind of situation and people need to accept the choices made by staff and move on or complain appropriately as opposed to just moaning on here and slagging off a culure they are clearly not involved in!!

Originally posted by KidPhunk
however time is money in this kind of situation and people need to accept the choices made by staff and move on

I beg to differ. I think you'll find that business principle seriously flawed.

More customers = More revenue

which in turn means....

More revenue = More profit

Trust me on this one, making corporations more efficient and productive is what I do for a living.

Originally posted by JonJParr
I beg to differ. I think you'll find that business principle seriously flawed.

More customers = More revenue

which in turn means....

More revenue = More profit

Trust me on this one, making corporations more efficient and productive is what I do for a living.
I'd think about a career change if I were you.
More customers may = more revenue in the short term.
However if the customer yuou let in are footy hooligans or gangster type and start causing trouble with general law abiding public then the majority of people will avoid the venue because of the reputation it would soon gain.

Thus = Less Revenue, Loss of Licence and possible closure.
The door policy with regards to clothing brands is a policy is a result from, guidelines set by south yorkshire police because research shows that certain groups of trouble causers favour certain brands.

You took the words right out of my month Da Bouncer - good luck on the career change Jon!:thumbsup:

Originally posted by DaBouncer
I'd think about a career change if I were you.
More customers may = more revenue in the short term.
However if the customer yuou let in are footy hooligans or gangster type and start causing trouble with general law abiding public then the majority of people will avoid the venue because of the reputation it would soon gain.

Thus = Less Revenue, Loss of Licence and possible closure.
The door policy with regards to clothing brands is a policy is a result from, guidelines set by south yorkshire police because research shows that certain groups of trouble causers favour certain brands.

I thought we had established that inviting troublemakers and football hooligans was an unwise move a long time ago so in that sense it was a given - after all, that's why nearly all pubs and bars have bouncers but very few have 'face pickers'. What I was referring to was just that - the blatant [and terribly pompous] 'face picking' that goes on at these types of 'trendy' bars.

Keeping out those who are excessively drunk, likely to start fights or are being abusive is common sense. Keeping out those who don't sport the right type of haircut isn't reliable business acumen. This is where Takapuna seems to be driving away other potentially lucrative customers.

In conclusion I won't be considering a change of career. I think you'll find I'm correct. Call me pompous and perhaps even arrogant but I think I'm more qualified than a bouncer to hand out business advice.

Jon I'm in no doubt that you know how to run a successful business, but......

I also think that you no absolutely ZERO about running a city centre bar, and in fact im sure DaBouncer knows a lot more on the subject than you?

Another thing to consider regarding Takapuna's is that, like all other bars, it has a maximum amount of people it is allowed to let on site for Health and Safety reasons. Thus the reason for queuing when it "looks" quiet downstairs. In actual fact they could be at their maximum quota but everyone is just simply upstairs?

When it comes to "face pickers" it can actually go both ways. On one hand they may not let in hooligan/gangster looking types. But on the other, they may not let in someone who looks "up their own a**e" as these people can be just as bad for business.

I know Takapuna's has a reputation for being pompous, but if you actually go in; there is no difference in clientele compared to 95% of all other bars in the City Centre.
Yes, there are bad eggs, but name one decent bar in town which doesn't have at least one affore mentioned bad egg and I’ll gladly spend ALL my money (well the banks anyway) in there!

Cheers

Last time I went there I suffered the indignity of having the (now infamous) "picker" look me up and down with what can only be described as contempt. Me and my mate turned straight around and went to the pub, where we felt welcome and valued. My ex used to go to Taka on a (semi) regular basis and dragged me along a couple of times to drink cocktails and pose. It's the most pretenious crap hole in town. I'm not sure iwhich I like least - the "wow look at me aren't I great" crowd or the "hmm, how much did you pay for that outfit?" door staff.

I suppose it's a fairly narrow target market, and the target market aren't likely to be offended by snotty cows on the door.


And breath :)

Originally posted by JonJParr
I thought we had established that inviting troublemakers and football hooligans was an unwise move a long time ago so in that sense it was a given - after all, that's why nearly all pubs and bars have bouncers but very few have 'face pickers'. What I was referring to was just that - the blatant [and terribly pompous] 'face picking' that goes on at these types of 'trendy' bars.

Keeping out those who are excessively drunk, likely to start fights or are being abusive is common sense. Keeping out those who don't sport the right type of haircut isn't reliable business acumen. This is where Takapuna seems to be driving away other potentially lucrative customers.

In conclusion I won't be considering a change of career. I think you'll find I'm correct. Call me pompous and perhaps even arrogant but I think I'm more qualified than a bouncer to hand out business advice.
I was a bouncer, who is also qualified in business studies and marketing, I have first hand experience of the licencing trade and bar management as well as running my own limited company which has grown from strength to strength in the 3 years it has been operational.

Trust me, I feel I have more knowledge on the subject John... but feel free to ingore me ;)

Originally posted by DaBouncer
I was a bouncer, who is also qualified in business studies and marketing, I have first hand experience of the licencing trade and bar management as well as running my own limited company which has grown from strength to strength in the 3 years it has been operational.

Trust me, I feel I have more knowledge on the subject John... but feel free to ingore me ;)

Firstly Da Bouncer I want to apologise for my previous words - there was no need for me to be so arrogant [and indeed it was ironic]. Secondly, I'm sure you have more first hand experience of running small businesses - I'm more acquainted with corporations and Governments. Door policies are just something that tick me off slightly and to boot I'm feeling morose today. Anyway, my sincere apologies.

Originally posted by JonJParr
Firstly Da Bouncer I want to apologise for my previous words - there was no need for me to be so arrogant [and indeed it was ironic]. Secondly, I'm sure you have more first hand experience of running small businesses - I'm more acquainted with corporations and Governments. Door policies are just something that tick me off slightly and to boot I'm feeling morose today. Anyway, my sincere apologies.
Your gracious apology is accepted John.
I wouldn't worry too much tho, it's only a forum... not real life.

It's the place we spend time to pass the time ;)

My experience of Takapunas was pretty good, I went on a comedy night though, I think it was a thursday.

I wouldn't go at the weekend because I don't think they'd let me in with my jeans and trainers on. Some people love that kind of stuff though - Jon I think what you're missing maybe is that there's a huge population of people in my age range (students and young professionals) that thrive on that whole "I've got the right face, shoes and boyfriend to go to Takapunas and you haven't" type stuff!

Sad I know! They will get a thrill out of being admitted and being surrounded by other sex in the city, aren't we beautiful, dressed by Gucci, I'll pay 4 pounds a pint types.

Hence sensible types like me and my friends stick to other pubs and resteraunts where we can drink pints without other customers looking at me like I'm something they scraped off their shoes!

kathythebean, next time you fancy comedy get into the roundhouse we do not have ideas above our station nor do we try to be "ten bob millionaires" all the comedy acts are great and around the venue all night to chat and drink, the main man Toby Foster "helps " the DJ at the end of the night by operating the light desk apart from when he is dancing to some old northern soul classics.

Lots of laughs all night and very down to earth.

I would love to come down to the roundhouse foxprom - what nights do you have comedy on? Also where is it! And how much?

Originally posted by JonJParr
Doesn't the fact that these 'trendy' types like to be seen in places that are made to seem more busy than they actually are illustrate just how fickle they are? The whole thing is nothing more than an illusion, perhaps akin to their sense of self-importance. Give me a 'genuinely' quieter venue any day of the week.

The whole 'face selection' process is so unbelievably pretentious and supercilious it's a wonder they haven't gone out of business already. I can see it now, the new style business model, "we pick our customers based on whether they have a mullet or not." Embarassingly ridiculous.


I see what you're saying Jon, but places like Takapuna serve their purpose. I don't follow fashion, but some people do. I don't go out to "be seen", but some people do. I don't specifically aim for places full of the beautiful people, but some people do. Takapuna caters for its target market.

Any city like Sheffield is always going to have some people who follow fashion religiously, so it will need bars like Takapuna to cater for those people. I wouldn't go there, but I also wouldn't begrudge anyone who's into that kind of thing.

You all seem to think that us Doormen so it for fun. well sorry to disappoint but it's not normally our tradition we're just the messenger. It's like why should someone be allowed in with shoes and not trainers or NIKE and not ROCKPORT? The place I work in doesn't allow hoodies, jogging bottoms or Caps. Basically if you look like a chav then hard luck. This is something that annoys everyone and always will.

Originally posted by JonJParr
I beg to differ. I think you'll find that business principle seriously flawed.

More customers = More revenue

which in turn means....

More revenue = More profit

Trust me on this one, making corporations more efficient and productive is what I do for a living.


wait there....could be wrong here but aren't you a civil servant?

Originally posted by DaBouncer
I'd think about a career change if I were you.
More customers may = more revenue in the short term.
However if the customer yuou let in are footy hooligans or gangster type and start causing trouble with general law abiding public then the majority of people will avoid the venue because of the reputation it would soon gain.

Thus = Less Revenue, Loss of Licence and possible closure.
The door policy with regards to clothing brands is a policy is a result from, guidelines set by south yorkshire police because research shows that certain groups of trouble causers favour certain brands.


110% correct DaBouncer.

Been reading this thread for a while and would like to make some, I think value and fair comments.

I am a door picker, so you can all get your knifes out now. I've been on doors for two and a halve years and have done both bars and clubs so feel that I am have a right to make comments on peoples comments and judgment.

Think some of the comments are a little harsh and personal on what people think we are 'personally' like. Judge me on my job, the way I talk to you and personally hold myself but untill you know anyone you can't make personal comment.

I dont make personal judgment on people before anyone throws that back at me, I treat others like I would like to be treated myself. I'll be the first to say when i am wrong and do think I am fair and can see both sides of the story and will sometimes explain things a little more than door men at difficult times to customers.

If someone talks to me like s**t then after a while I'll talk to on how I'm being spoken to. I would class myself as patient and yeah it sounds like I'm bigging myself up a lot but I also know my downfalls just as much.

Unfortunatly it comes to the old ' We dont make the rules' Thing, I hear you all huff and puff. But unfortunatly like parking wardens yeah you wanna hate them but at the end of the day they are getting paid to do a job with given guildlines and rules that are set above them. Everyones job has a purpose, so has ours.

Venues and management give us the rules, along with police who we all work closely along side with. And unfortunatly we get paid for inforcing those rules, and I will be the first to say that some of them are stupid but every venue is different as there own idenity, which entails a certain target market / Custom idenity that they want to attract, hence the rules we have to work by.

I know it sounds like a cop out when someone says 'we dont make the rules love' when your mates are inside a venue, your dying for a pee and its just started to rain! Last thing you wanna hear! But can I just have all the doormans backs here for a minute and say the conditions that we have to work in and the abuse and situations that we sometimes occure and have to put ourslves in are awful. But we all choose to do it so more fool us some may say.

Just for the record, I dont get "paid £5 per hour" to "facepick" as a thread said before and I am not a snotty faced cow as another said. I wouldnt put myself in the situations I sometimes get into for £5 per hour, call me snotty on that one if you like.please remember we are not only there to inforce rules but also protect members of the public and sometimes dealing with people 'under the influence' can make this even harder. Some rules believe it or not are there to help you....ie; no hoods, if you get attacked or an indident occurs and you want to press charges but the security cameras cant see the individual because there are hooded up. Thats the reason that we dont let hoods in.

So feel free to start back on me, I will listen, have listened and will continue to listen to anyones comments they have, but please remember that we are there to serve a purpose, do our job with the rules that we have and not be jobsworths. This comments are just my personal comments and not talking on behalve of the door person community.

Thanks

:wave: :wave:

Sorry guys somebody else was logged into my computer and didnt realise so the above post was me, the door picker.

sorry

XXXX

Sorry guys somebody else was logged into my computer and didnt realise so the above post was me, the door picker.

sorry

XXXX

Sorry guys somebody else was logged into my computer and didnt realise so the above post was me, the door picker.

sorry

XXXX