Is there a bouncer in the house?

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Follow us:WhatsappFacebookTwitterTelegram.cls-1{fill:#4d4d4d;}.cls-2{fill:#fff;}Google NewsImmortalised on screen in Hollywood, the life of a bouncer in this city is a little different. Sure there is a generous patron now and then, but more often than not there is the abusive and condescending guest and the hot-headed foreigner to deal with. Daniel Thimmayya speaks to the toughies to get their story* Safari suits - check* Beefy builds and thick moustaches - double check* Impression of being strong, silent types - check* Excellent crowd control - check* Ability to differentiate between VIPs and not-so-important Ps - checkIf you really think about it, there’s precious little that separates bouncers from cops on VIP protection detail. There is a deep connection between these two breeds of men (sadly no women have entered this bastion, at least not in this city). But, while the grey-suited cops would scarcely ever bother to think of bouncers as anything more than well-built security guards, plenty of bouncers in pubs, hotels and nightclubs have a built-in respect for cops.“From the time I turned 10, all I wanted to be was a policeman,” says Saravanan, with the hint of a wry smile. “That’s why I started building my body at a very young age and continued to maintain it well till I took the constable exam at 18,” he adds. Sadly for him, he didn’t make the cut that time, nor at the next attempt. “I was very lost for a while and didn’t know where to turn until a friend referred me to a security agent,” he says. Given his fantastic physique and age, Saravanan was immediately given some training in spoken English and sent to a small hotel to be a bouncer for their bar. He now works for popular pub 10 Downing Street.Many others like him have also harboured dreams of joining the police force, before ending up as bouncers.While Saravanan’s erstwhile dream may have partly seen fruition as a bouncer, 25-year-old Philip Jacob is a bit disgruntled by the profession. “I was a hockey player in Pachaiyappa’s College and there was talk that I would make the State team if I played the district league well,” he recalls.That was eight years ago. A groin injury and a hernia put him out of action for almost two years, during which his hockey career sunk as quickly as his academics. “Thankfully my abs didn’t deteriorate as fast,” he laughs cynically. To support his girlfriend-turned-wife, he needed to find a career fast. “A friend who’s a sound equipment handler said that a birthday party needed a bouncer and it would pay Rs 2,000 for a night’s work. That’s how it started,” he adds.For most bouncers, their profession was more an optionless choice than an ordained path. “I don’t think anyone really wants to be a bouncer when they grow up. It’s more a move of circumstance,” explains Kannan Perumal*, who has worked as a bouncer for nine years in four of the city’s prominent pubs.But life on the ‘other side’ isn’t bad at all, they say. In fact, as they describe it, the reputation of a nightclub rests on their brawny arms and this is a huge motivator to get to work after dark, one night at a time.“Initially, my wife used to say that I was a waiter because she was afraid that people would think I was an adi aal (hired goon) when I said I was a bouncer,” he laughs.Now, after having seen the hotel that he currently works at on Anna Salai, she is impressed and takes pains to explain exactly how her husband ‘maintains order’, he adds.For most, the best part about being a bouncer is that their mornings are remarkably free. “Almost everyone works a day job to supplement their income. I work for a financier and take care of his school-going children during the day,” explains Saravanan.While most other bouncers double up as car-drivers, some of the well-connected ones accompany politicians and VIPs for public meetings. “It’s good money and there’s nothing illegal. If we control men around dancing women on a dance floor then we can keep party cadre away from their leader too,” says Kannan.Keeping the peace without raising their voices (or hands) - that’s what a good bouncer can bring to a nightclub, opines Arasu Dennis, F&B manager at Somerset, which houses the hip nightclub B-Bar. Having trained and honed bouncers from an era that pre-dates today’s nightclubs, Arasu says that a real bouncer wins the battle just by the way he looks and talks.“Mischief makers and people who are drunk should feel some fear the minute they see a real bouncer. At the same time, every guest should also feel comfortable to be ushered in by the same person. That is a real bouncer,” he adds.That, however, is easier said than done. “Convincing people that they can’t enter while they are all the while treating you like you’re lower than them requires patience,” says Perumal. “That is what we are paid for.” Fights, altercations, misbehaviour and threats are part of their weekly fare, he adds, and they take it in their stride. After all these years of keeping the brawls away from the barstools, do they ever look back and think ‘what if?’“Every single day, when I come home I look at news clipping from hockey matches in 2004 and think ‘why God why?’” says Philip.And though the late hours and facing guests’ ire can get to them, most are happy that their livelihood is secure. “This pub is like a temple which we worship at,” says Saravanan. “My family has come a long way because of the respect and money that this job has given me. I do not regret not becoming a cop now because I believe that I am serving people here too.”first published:January 01, 1970, 05:30 ISTlast updated:January 01, 1970, 05:30 IST
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Immortalised on screen in Hollywood, the life of a bouncer in this city is a little different. Sure there is a generous patron now and then, but more often than not there is the abusive and condescending guest and the hot-headed foreigner to deal with. Daniel Thimmayya speaks to the toughies to get their story

* Safari suits - check

* Beefy builds and thick moustaches - double check

* Impression of being strong, silent types - check

* Excellent crowd control - check

* Ability to differentiate between VIPs and not-so-important Ps - check

If you really think about it, there’s precious little that separates bouncers from cops on VIP protection detail. There is a deep connection between these two breeds of men (sadly no women have entered this bastion, at least not in this city). But, while the grey-suited cops would scarcely ever bother to think of bouncers as anything more than well-built security guards, plenty of bouncers in pubs, hotels and nightclubs have a built-in respect for cops.

“From the time I turned 10, all I wanted to be was a policeman,” says Saravanan, with the hint of a wry smile. “That’s why I started building my body at a very young age and continued to maintain it well till I took the constable exam at 18,” he adds. Sadly for him, he didn’t make the cut that time, nor at the next attempt. “I was very lost for a while and didn’t know where to turn until a friend referred me to a security agent,” he says. Given his fantastic physique and age, Saravanan was immediately given some training in spoken English and sent to a small hotel to be a bouncer for their bar. He now works for popular pub 10 Downing Street.

Many others like him have also harboured dreams of joining the police force, before ending up as bouncers.

While Saravanan’s erstwhile dream may have partly seen fruition as a bouncer, 25-year-old Philip Jacob is a bit disgruntled by the profession. “I was a hockey player in Pachaiyappa’s College and there was talk that I would make the State team if I played the district league well,” he recalls.

That was eight years ago. A groin injury and a hernia put him out of action for almost two years, during which his hockey career sunk as quickly as his academics. “Thankfully my abs didn’t deteriorate as fast,” he laughs cynically. To support his girlfriend-turned-wife, he needed to find a career fast. “A friend who’s a sound equipment handler said that a birthday party needed a bouncer and it would pay Rs 2,000 for a night’s work. That’s how it started,” he adds.

For most bouncers, their profession was more an optionless choice than an ordained path. “I don’t think anyone really wants to be a bouncer when they grow up. It’s more a move of circumstance,” explains Kannan Perumal*, who has worked as a bouncer for nine years in four of the city’s prominent pubs.

But life on the ‘other side’ isn’t bad at all, they say. In fact, as they describe it, the reputation of a nightclub rests on their brawny arms and this is a huge motivator to get to work after dark, one night at a time.

“Initially, my wife used to say that I was a waiter because she was afraid that people would think I was an adi aal (hired goon) when I said I was a bouncer,” he laughs.

Now, after having seen the hotel that he currently works at on Anna Salai, she is impressed and takes pains to explain exactly how her husband ‘maintains order’, he adds.

For most, the best part about being a bouncer is that their mornings are remarkably free. “Almost everyone works a day job to supplement their income. I work for a financier and take care of his school-going children during the day,” explains Saravanan.

While most other bouncers double up as car-drivers, some of the well-connected ones accompany politicians and VIPs for public meetings. “It’s good money and there’s nothing illegal. If we control men around dancing women on a dance floor then we can keep party cadre away from their leader too,” says Kannan.

Keeping the peace without raising their voices (or hands) - that’s what a good bouncer can bring to a nightclub, opines Arasu Dennis, F&B manager at Somerset, which houses the hip nightclub B-Bar. Having trained and honed bouncers from an era that pre-dates today’s nightclubs, Arasu says that a real bouncer wins the battle just by the way he looks and talks.

“Mischief makers and people who are drunk should feel some fear the minute they see a real bouncer. At the same time, every guest should also feel comfortable to be ushered in by the same person. That is a real bouncer,” he adds.

That, however, is easier said than done. “Convincing people that they can’t enter while they are all the while treating you like you’re lower than them requires patience,” says Perumal. “That is what we are paid for.” Fights, altercations, misbehaviour and threats are part of their weekly fare, he adds, and they take it in their stride. After all these years of keeping the brawls away from the barstools, do they ever look back and think ‘what if?’

“Every single day, when I come home I look at news clipping from hockey matches in 2004 and think ‘why God why?’” says Philip.

And though the late hours and facing guests’ ire can get to them, most are happy that their livelihood is secure. “This pub is like a temple which we worship at,” says Saravanan. “My family has come a long way because of the respect and money that this job has given me. I do not regret not becoming a cop now because I believe that I am serving people here too.”