In August, we asked industry experts to weigh in on security in their establishments for One for the Road:
What are the top security concerns at your bar/restaurant? How do you mitigate the risks?
Chris D'Auria, Owner, Johnny’s Hideaway, Atlanta, Georgia
At Johnny’s Hideaway, we prioritize the safety and security of our guests and staff. We have invested in top-of-the-line ID scanners and implemented a stricter dress code to ensure a safe environment. All guests are expected to be respectful of others, and we enforce a one-strike-you're-out policy for any inappropriate behavior.
Robert Pomplun, Founder, Serving Alcohol Inc., Delray Beach, Florida
The most severe security concerns are the ones you may anticipate but were not given any notice prior to their occurrence. In other words, avoid getting surprised. We will always recommend controlling your entrances as the most effective way to reduce the opportunity of violence and risk for you and your guests. From the moment patrons come to the door, your staff should be trained to look for possible signs of impairment and potentially risky behavior. A condition of entry is the enforcement of your house policies and as long as they are applied equitably and fairly to everyone entering then you are on very solid footing.
Once your patrons are in the premises, every employee is responsible for making sure that customers are being monitored continually and ongoing and that their behavior is not creating a risk for others. Take the time to train staff and patrons on how to get assistance when addressing unwanted patron behaviors and how to defuse situations that can potentially escalate. Remember to ask for compliance before you act. Start out with this type of approach: “Sir, can you please do me a favor?” De-escalation is a whole separate topic, but your staff should be trained in how to implement strategies to defuse situations.
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