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Clockwise from left: a bouncer at The Red Lyon examines a patron's ID at the door. Paul Paridy, Dallas senior, works the door at It's Brothers! Trent Teimeyer, 29, won't put up with underage imposters at the Granada.
By Lindsey Ramsey, Jayplay writer
You join the line, get out your ID and hold your breath. The line dwindles in front of you as you try to remember the name and stats on your ID. You reach a big, burly man who surveys you with suspicion. You give him an "I've-donethis-a-million-times" look, but there is fear in your eyes. He looks you over again and then it hits you. You aren't getting in the bar tonight.
Yes, a bouncer has the power to make or break your night and this power makes these men feared by the under- age bar hoppers.
It's 11:15 p.m. on a Thursday night at The Ranch and the bouncers have already had to push back some girls trying to rush in without paying or letting them get a look at their IDs. It must be tough being the bad guy all the time.
Bouncers are a staple of almost every bar in America. They keep
things under control and take care of things when people start trouble. Even the infamous Al Capone worked as a bouncer, which is where he earned his reputable nickname, "Scarface."
Lawrence bouncers, however, have to deal with a different kind of bar patron: the drunken college student.
Paul Paridy, Dallas senior, has been a bouncer for a year at It's Brothers! Paridy says dealing with drunk people when he is sober and working can be annoying, but the money and the special treatment he receives make the job worth it. Paridy says he gets "hooked up" by Lawrence business owners who remember him from his door duties at the bar. He says he gets into bars more quickly and even free drinks.
One of the most difficult parts of the job is stopping a drunken scuffle. Paridy says when he has to go into full bouncer mode and kick someone out, there is always a lot of talking back and scuffling. He says the nature of a removal usually
Down the street at the Granada, '80s night (a.k.a. Neon) is in full swing. Bouncer Trent Tiemeyer, 29, has worked at the Granada for the better part of four years. He has plenty of stories to tell.
But, for Paridy, the good part of his job outweighs the bad "It's the closest you can come to being out at the bars but you're still making money," Paridy says.
He once saw a guy try to sneak downstairs to the basement just to steal beer. Tiemeyer caught the perpetrator and had to physically hold him until the police came to arrest him.
Another time, he had to confiscate a girl's ID because he was certain that the picture on the ID was not the same girl. The reason he was so certain was that it was his sister-in-law's ID.
involves someone who is too drunk. Patrons who can't hold their alcohol and end up vomiting are automatically kicked out.
you;" Tiemeyer says.
"It is. I just got a haircut," she told him.
Tiemeyer kept the ID and sent the imposter away.
At concerts, not only is Tiemeyer in charge of the door, he's also responsible for looking out for elusive crowd-surfers and keeping the band and managers happy.
"I said 'I definitely know this isn't
But working those concerts is his favorite part of the job because he gets to listen to live music and has the chance to meet a lot of cool people, including members of bands like Flogging Molly and Reverend Horton Heat.
Despite the perks, Lawrence bouncers have a tough job. Fights, drunken patrons and fake IDs are just a few of the problems have to be constantly aware of — and they're good at what they do.
Jayplay 09.15.05
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So the next time you jump into a line and fidget as you wait your turn, remember this — the bouncers are always watching.