Audio By Carbonatix
Rob Strabala knows how to deal with drunk people. Not because he’s good at manhandling and intimidating with his biceps (those baby blues don’t exactly scream DFWM) but because he knows that patience (and often times a little flirting) goes a hell of a long way with someone who has had one 10 too many.
Rob has worked in the bar industry for 21 years and is currently the assistant manager, bartender and frequent doorman of the legendary gay cowboy bar, Charlie’s. We’re gonna go ahead and trust that he has has quite a few tricks and some pretty entertaining stories up his sleeve. That is, if his shirt had sleeves.
How to spot a fake: After 21 years of checking ID’s, I guess I’ve gotten pretty good but it’s actually really easy. Flashlights are key because of the holograms and feeling the ID with your thumb to make sure nothing is raised helps too. I also always look at height, weight and birthday. You’d be surprised how many people screw this up when using a fake.
Really? No purses or man bags allowed inside? We don’t allow oversized bags for security reasons. It’s easier for us to control what’s being smuggled in or out. Again, you’d be surprised.
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Best part of job: You’re the first and last person people see so it’s important to smile and have a good attitude. No matter what experience they have inside you’re the one in control.
I also get a lot of phone numbers.
Worst part of job: We have an after-hours on the weekends so we stay open till 4am. A lot of the time people are coming from other bars and we have to turn peope away for being too intoxicated. Whenever too much alcohol is involved it’s a rough task. It’s almost like babysitting or being a referee. And, of course, there is always a fight.
Last crazy: A guy got kicked out for being too drunk, climbed on the roof and jumped into the backyard where we have a volleyball court. Luckily, the police were there that night.
It’s amazing what people will do to get back into the bar after being kicked out. They’ll go home to change, put on a hat or switch shirts with their friends in the parking lot. Never a dull moment.
