The Tao of The Velvet Rope: Myths, Truths, and Guiding Principles of Nightclub Security

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A weekly podcast discussing the Myths, Truths, and Guiding Principles of Nightclub Security

Miguel DeCoste, CPP


    • Aug 4, 2020 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 29m AVG DURATION
    • 103 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Tao of The Velvet Rope: Myths, Truths, and Guiding Principles of Nightclub Security

    Episode 102 - 3 Scenarios

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2020 43:24


    Episode 101 - Some Thoughts

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2020 28:21


    Episode 100 - The Sins of The Bouncer

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2020 29:40


    Avoid behaviors that could potentially end your career

    Episode 99 - Trust Issues

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2020 23:32


    What's the best way to deal with Managers overstepping their bounds? Communication. On this week's episode we take a look at how talking it out can help solve problems.

    Episode 98 - The Return of The Tao

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2020 15:41


    We're back! After a long hiatus, The Tao returns. A quick episode to explain where we've been and where we are going.

    Episode 97 - Tony O'Brien

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2018 45:43


    This week we have a great interview with Tony O'Brien, a security professional and the author of "The Nightclub Security Manual - Your Guide To Writing Nightclub Security Procedures"

    Episode 96 - Thoughts on Violence

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2018 34:24


    A few ruminations on the use of violence to solve problems in a bar and nightclub setting.

    Episode 95 - College Night

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2018 31:25


    How to set yourself up for success on your first College Night!

    Episode 94 - Ejection Formation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2018 29:37


    Episode 93 - Researching Safe and Gainful Employment

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2018 30:11


    Episode 92 - Managing A Nightlife Security Team

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2018 35:09


    Episode 91 - The FNG

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2018 26:13


    How to integrate new employees into your team.

    Episode 90 - The Door Guy

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2018 29:23


    This week’s guest has managed to capture the reality that is working Security in a Nightlife venue. From the arguments to the drunks, his videos encapsulate what Bar Security deals with on a regular basis…and what the regular world has no idea about. You can find his work on YouTube (Door Guy) and on Instagram (@door_guy_)

    Episode 89 - The Customer Is Always Right?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2018 31:03


    A discussion about the "Right to Refuse Service" and what that actually means.

    Episode 88 - BOUNCE! Interview with Chuck Collins

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2018 58:42


    This week on Tao of The Velvet Rope, we interview artist and ex-bouncer Chuck Collins. We talk about his work in bars and how it inspired him to create “BOUNCE!”; a comic about a NYC bouncer, his friends, and their adventures. Where you can find Chuck Collins online: Instagram: bounce_comic Twitter: bounce_comic Facebook: @BOUNCEstrip Webpage: bouncethecomic.com Web Purchases: gumroad.com/thebouncer

    Episode 87 - Musings on Use of Force

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2018 30:18


    A discussion on the ramifications of "going hands on" and using "Reasonable Force".

    Episode 86 - Violent Incidents in Nightclub Settings

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2018 42:59


    How to deal with Violent Incidents before, during, and after they occur. Here is the link to the video discussed during this episode.

    Episode #85 - Gangs in Bars and Nightclubs

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2018 37:00


    How to deal with gangs and gang members in your establishment.

    Episode 84 - Zachary Rugen Interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2018 34:15


    We interview Zachary Rugen of Nightclub Security Services about his new training courses and the impact of Active Shooters on the Nightlife Industry. For more information: www.nightclubsecurityservice.com

    Episode 83 - Avoiding Circular Conversations

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2018 29:22


    Tips and tactics to end discussions with intoxicated individuals.

    Episode 82 - Taking Inventory

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2018 22:49


    Small steps that you can take to ensure that your security team and nightlife establishment run smoothly.

    Episode 81 - Don't Be A Bouncer

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2018 35:11


    Just because people call you a "bouncer" doesn't mean you have to act like one.

    Episode 80 - More Event Prep and Security Pointers

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2018 30:04


    We continue our discussion on Event Preparation for Nightlife establishments.

    Episode 79 - Event Prep and Security

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2018 33:40


    Security planning for a variety of different events

    Episode #78 - Different Sites, Different Approaches

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2018 38:24


    Should your security plan change if your venue or location changes?

    Episode 77 - When Things Go Wrong

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2018 25:59


    Considering the Before, During, and After of mistakes made while on the job.

    Episode 76 - Weapons in Nightclubs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2018 30:00


    Should security in nightclubs be armed and if so, what considerations need to be taken into account?

    Episode 75 - The Manager's Approach

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2018 27:46


    A few small steps that managers and owners can take to help increase security staff productivity.

    Tao Of The Velvet Rope - Minisode 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2018 10:39


    A brief look at the year to come on Tao of The Velvet Rope

    Episode 74 - Don't Let Them Drink And Drive

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2017 24:23


    The holidays mean parties. Parties mean drinks. Drinks mean bad decisions. Help to minimize those bad decisions. http://www.vow4mal.org/ https://www.madd.org/

    Episode 73 - Breaking Up A Bar Fight

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2017 28:37


    What do you need to know in order to break up a bar fight? Is it even possible? Listen in for some tips and tricks.

    Episode 72 -Working the Holidays

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2017 20:56


    Sometimes the hardest time to work is the "most wonderful time of the year". So buckle up and get ready for the Holiday Season!

    INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: TONY O'BRIEN Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2017 38:08


    Part Two of our interview Tony O'Brien from The Security Operative.  Mr. O'Brien has worked and trained extensively in the conflict management, safety and security fields over the past 17 years. Working across all sectors of the security industry from customer service based roles right through to medium and high-risk environments in retail and nightclub security Tony quickly developed a reputation in the industry and moved into management and training roles in 2006.   Tony’s professional qualifications include certifications in the delivery of Conflict Management and Physical Intervention from City and Guilds, MAYBO and The Crisis Prevention Institute. Tony also holds recognized professional qualifications in Managing Safety and Risk assessment from IOSH (Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) and CIEH Level 3 Safety Management Certificate and a Certificate in Criminal Psychology.    Tony runs the successful Security Operative website, providing information and advice for the entire security sector. APOLOGIES FOR THE AUDIO AS IT WAS A SKYPE CALL.

    INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: TONY O'BRIEN Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2017 29:56


    This week, we interview Tony O'Brien from The Security Operative.  Mr. O'Brien has worked and trained extensively in the conflict management, safety and security fields over the past 17 years. Working across all sectors of the security industry from customer service based roles right through to medium and high-risk environments in retail and nightclub security Tony quickly developed a reputation in the industry and moved into management and training roles in 2006.   Tony’s professional qualifications include certifications in the delivery of Conflict Management and Physical Intervention from City and Guilds, MAYBO and The Crisis Prevention Institute. Tony also holds recognized professional qualifications in Managing Safety and Risk assessment from IOSH (Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) and CIEH Level 3 Safety Management Certificate and a Certificate in Criminal Psychology.    Tony runs the successful Security Operative website and social media pages providing information and advice for the entire security sector. APOLOGIES ON THE AUDIO AS IT WAS A SKYPE CALL.

    Episode 69 - The Majesty

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2017 29:24


    The Coolest. The Drunkest. The Sexiest. The Toughest. Are these important titles in the Nightlife Industry and if so, why? We discuss the implications of getting caught up in the party scene aka "The Majesty".

    Episode 68 - Bouncer Fails...and how to avoid them

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2017 29:19


    How to avoid putting yourself in compromising positions while on the job. Video link here

    Episode 67 - Becoming A Professional "Bouncer"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2017 33:51


    Is there such a thing as a "professional" Bouncer? And if there is, how does one guide their career in that direction? This week we offer suggestions on pursuing this career track.

    Episode 66 - Dealing with VIPs

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2017 34:28


    Whether they are having a special night on the town with their college roommates or dropping $10k on a bottle of alcohol, VIP clientele expect a specific level of service. What is the best way to provide it?

    Episode 65 - Wrist Locks and Submissions

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2017 29:00


    The main consideration for control tactics should not be when to apply them but whether they are necessary. We take a look at the downsides and issues of the incorrect application of Wrist Locks and Submissions, as well as the thought processes and training that should precede their use.

    Episode 64 - Minimizing Nightclub Ejections

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2017 27:41


    Altercations and ejections don't magically materialize. If you and your staff are in tune with the crowd and the environment, trouble can be cut-off before it even starts.

    Episode 63 - Getting a Promotion

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2017 34:08


    You can become a professional in the field of Bar and Nightclub security. But do you have the right skillset and approach to advance your career once you get there? 

    Taking Your Job Seriously

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2017 29:11


    Do you show up early or do you just show up? Are you ready to produce upon arrival or do you need some time to warm up? In this week's episode, we talk about the small tweaks everyone can make to step up their work game.

    Episode 61 - Back To School!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2017 35:05


    After a slow summer, it takes some planning and preparation in order to be ready for the hordes of returning College Students. Listen in to this week's episode for tips on how to make your first College Weekend a success!

    Episode 60 - Nightclub Security Uniforms

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2017 28:59


    Should it be button up shirts? Or Armani suits? Maybe body armor with the word "SECURITY" on it? Your staff uniform says a lot to your Patrons about your establishment. 

    Episode 59 - Pre-Attack indicators

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2017 30:50


    What are the physical precursors to violent attacks? And are there ways to spot them before an attack occurs?

    Episode 58 - Can't We All Just Get Along?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2017 36:05


    There will always be people at work that you don’t like or can’t stand to be around. So how does one handle this type of situation? Tune-in to this week's episode to find out! Please take our Audience Survey! It helps us learn more about you. Thanks!

    Episode 57 - Nightclub Management and Staff Meetings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2017 30:23


    With a proper agenda and direction, Management and Staff meetings are useful tools to inspire employees and address issues. Please take our Audience Survey! It helps us learn more about you. Thanks!

    Episode 56 - Employee Handbooks

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2017 30:17


    Delineating protocols, policies, and procedures can help inform your employees and protect you from lawsuits.   Please take our Audience Survey! It helps us learn more about you. Thanks!  

    Episode 55 - Deflecting Blame

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2017 25:33


    Removing yourself as an object of focus can resolve disputes, bring arguments to a conclusion, and prevent circular conversations. Please take our Audience Survey! It helps us learn more about you. Thanks.

    Episode 54 - Spotting Intoxicated Patrons

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2017 32:40


    How does one gauge intoxication levels? Is it possible to do with any accuracy? And how does a Staffer make the decision as to when a Patron should leave? Tune-in to this week's episode of Tao of The Velvet Rope to find out!   "Please take our Audience Survey! It helps us learn more about you. Thanks!"

    Episode 53 - Bouncer: What's In A Name?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2017 26:05


    Bouncer. Security. Security Staffer. Guest Services Host. Does the title make a difference in how an employee does their job? Or is it the attitude and approach that defines one's title? Tune into this week's episode of Tao of The Velvet Rope to find out. Please take our Audience Survey! It helps us learn more about you. Thanks!

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