WOW...Just, Wow...

[eneyman]

Wow, sounds like a typical trashy joint run by scumbags. I'm glad you were able to outsmart this small town low life with the knife swap

[JacksonKnives]

I feel for ya.

Obviously the 'I can't give it back when you leave' is a shakedown, but a bouncer has every right to refuse entrance to someone who's carrying, and that extends to those who volunteer to 'leave it in the car.' You may be the most ordinary, trustworthy guy in town, but if you're drinking and interacting with other patrons, situations and attitudes can change faster than any quick-thinking bouncer can react. The risk that someone will come back from 'leaving it in the car' carrying a blade concealed and bring it out at the wrong moment is simply too high, in the minds of the management. Whether this is a realistic attitude or not, management has to do *something* after someone gets stabbed in their establishment. It's easy to say 'don't come back if you don't like it', but a real solution to the problem is nowhere to be found.

I mostly only go to clubs and bars when I'm working with a band, but once in a while I'll go see a friend's show.

Bars/clubs are tricky places to carry, and sometimes it's just not worth the grief. I usually carry IWB if I'm working, and the same can work as a patron, but it's simpler to carry something smaller loose in a coat pocket with change and keys.

The closest thing I can think of to a 'solution' is actually to go to *more* clubs and interact with *more* bouncers. Eventually, you'll probably find a place that you like, with staff you know and trust. If friends suggest going somewhere, you might even be in a position to steer them toward an establishment that actually deserves your patronage.

[Dr Heelhook]

Yeah, the owner probably doesn't give a crap, especially since the guy went even further and asked for money when you left. This is one of several reasons why I rarely visit "clubs". Others being loud, crappy music and sweaty, annoying people. House parties and regular whiskey bars are a million times better.
Damn, it feels good to be a grownup.

[SolidState]

I wonder what the bouncer's name is on the bay, and how many $400 knives he has posted on there. It reads like he's working on getting a job with the TSA.

[smikesmith3]

Rules are always going to be open to abuse by those in power to do so.

No need to get upset by it, most clubs and bars and casinos will have a rule against it. If a reputable establishment with rules, they will have a lock up facility.

Accept it and do not attempt to go in with it. do not give them the pleasure.

Just think of what a great night you would have had if you left your tool in the vehicle.

Not trying to bust your chops/ I have been in that situation a few times before, always trying to keep my knife, in the end it was never worth it, just so much frustration.

Take it easy,
Guy

I've been here a handful of times and never had an issue, never even been asked the question. In fact, I've never been questioned except at the airport. If I knew about it, I wouldn't have even brought it with me.

[smikesmith3]

I would have left if it wasn't for my best buddies still inside. I don't plan to ever go back and will be sending an email. It will be up to them to respond.

[smikesmith3]

This is one of several reasons why I rarely visit "clubs". Others being loud, crappy music and sweaty, annoying people. House parties and regular whiskey bars are a million times better.
Damn, it feels good to be a grownup.

Typically the same way, just a one off occasion...never again.

[Mud Shrimp Moe]

While I wouldn't defend the door man / bouncer at all ... in fact his ham-handed request for a tip made me mad ... it's just possible that the jurisdiction may have more restrictive blade laws for clubs that serve alcohol. While I live in Texas, where carrying locking folders up to 5.5" is generally legal, I always unclip my knife and push it in my pocket before walking into a school or bank or post office or bar. I don't know all the laws at such places, but figure better safe that sorry.

I go to my daughter's school quite often and have looked for any signs against bringing in "weapons." We're a concealed carry state, but still I'd be shocked if CC in a school isn't illegal. And I don't carry a firearm anyway. I'm not so sure how "pocket knives" figure into that, so I just play it safe.

Airports and courthouses are obvious exceptions where you can't carry a blade. But at certain other places where I'm less sure, I just pop the knive where it can't be seen.



EDIT: Even if your state or local law prohibits knives in bars, I'd be shocked if the bartender had the authority to seize and keep a blade. That's crazy.


EDIT: I used to be in a gigging band at clubs, ending just over a year ago. I carried a lot of gear, including at least one multitool and a knife. I used them openly at the bars (cutting tape, sometimes trimming strings or whatever) and didn't think twice about it. But I was working there, so I figure it was seen in that context.

[camokid]

The best way to get a knife threw security at a bar or club is to use your woman. Get your girl to put your knife in her hand bag as your enter the club. Secruity rarely will check a woman like they would check a man and if the bar or club has a metal ditector and it goes off on the bag. She could pull out a bobby pin or finger nail clippers or anything metal, and most of the time no question will be asked.

[Popsickle]

Im a bartender at a Senor Frogs.... which is a rest./bar/nightclub. At night we have a privately contracted security service that comes in to work inside and at the Door doing pat downs. any knives or weapons found are kept at the front door to be returned later on that night or even the next day. Ive seen cold steels, benchmades autos, spydercos, etc all returned to owners. If unclaimed they are kept by whomever wants them. that sucks that happened to you.

[JB3]

Report that jerk to the manager of the club ... they might not be sympathetic at first, but when you get to the part about "give me $5 to get the knife back" you might get some satisfaction.
I had the same thing happen in the '80's at a rock club, except they told me at the door that they would give me my knife back when I left (I had a Spyderco Worker) ... luckily I new one guy that worked the club. At the end of the night when the jerk, who was no longer working the front door, dissapeared backstage with my knife, my friend went and got it back for me ... I was lucky ... and I learned a valuable lesson about walking into a club with my knife showing.

[GTP2K1]

I'm a bouncer at a fairly large club in my town. An no doubt what he did was wrong, I was also angry to hear him asking for money (despicable). But several of the parts that might seem to not make sense are simply a matter of hassle and his hands being tied.

First off, if we serve alcohol, no "weapons" at all. Mostly self explanatory, but even if your a responsible knife owner and don't drink a drop all night, any number of scenarios can play out where you got your knife taken from you or you were knocked down and out it came on the ground for a drunk angry fool to grab. For that matter, whatever area I'm in, I'm picking up glass bottles and pool cues and putting them away even when its someone else job, I don't need weapons of opportunity anywhere near me or the patrons.

As far as holding them/locking them up... We used to keep knives at the front for people, throw a wrist band around em and write their name on the wrist band. Until one came up missing and of course it was expensive (literally 1% of the knives that come in are expensive) Management paid for it after a big fiasco, and said no more.

Taking them to the car, as was already mentioned... is dangerous cause you can just pocket the knife, an the type to do that is the type to whip em out "typically". The alternative is for someone to walk you to your car an see you put it in... but that's where you get into hassles. It solves the problem but does the club have the manpower to take a guy off the floor/door for however long it takes to make the trip (might be 25ft or 4th floor parking garage a block away).

So if i cant walk you out(manpower, cant leave my position), and I cant trust you to take it to the car (for safety), and I cant hold it ... My hands are kinda tied at that point. I can take it or you can leave for the night. Neither is right (x1000 if it was your grandfathers or cost more than pennies).

Our current policy is send them to the car and inform the exit door guy to check them thoroughly upon their return (an let them know they will be checked). But many also have a problem with being checked/searched. I don't like it, but it's what we got.

Its a little different cause I'm on the floor, not at the door so when I catch one, its already made it past the door guy. Meaning they already paid to get in...

Point being, it sounds like he just wants to take your knife and tell you he's keeping it, when honestly his hands might be tied as far as options.
The part about holding it then asking for money to get it back, I'm sure in his eyes he was bending the rules an wanted a tip in return for the safe keeping of your $100+ dollar knife, just the same breaking rules for money up front or after the fact is terrible an he shouldn't keep his job. (Not making excuses, I just know most people justify their own wrong doing) Actually really boils my blood. If he does that imagine what else he does.

[chuck_roxas45]

deleted.