Havent really gone out to a club yet in Switzerland but after reading an article about an aussie being killed by some bouncers in Greece I thought that I would ask. How are the general attitudes of bouncers in Switzerland? After living in London and Sydney most people tend to be scared shyteless of them as they tend to be agro, steroid pumped, pitbulls just waiting for an opportunity to vent on an innocent passerby. Is there anything to be aware of? In Sydney, if I was in a group of around 10 guys, we would split the team up into groups of 3 or 4 and try to mingle with a few girls, smile a bit (but not too much otherwise they will think you're on something) and then attempt to enter. One bouncer tried to hit me once because I opened my mouth wide next to him (there was a reason, I don’t tend to ramdomly open my mouth really wide for no reason)

Probably depends on the club, but I've never had any trouble. They seem mostly concerned with keeping drunks and pushers out. They all seem to belong to local security firms.

Naw, the're all relatively normal bouncers, maybe on the light side compared to most of the world. Never heard about 'special rooms' or such here. Friend of mine got maced at a dodgy bar in ZH once, but he was being an drunken arse, and the punk manager did it, the boucers were actually apologetic, guess they knew their boss was a jerk...

Never had any problems with bouncers here since 2003 and have been to some real dives in all parts of CH. They are very level headed here. Always willing to talk through an issue first. And best of all in a number of places they are willing to waive a cover charge if you say you're just popping in for a drink.

Agreed that they seem a bit lightweight than other places but normally there are no fisticuffs going down here.

The closest thing I have had to a run in with a bouncer was when I still had half a beer left and it was time to go.

He politely poured the beer into take-away cups for us, and told us to have a lovely evening.

Bouncers are normally nice until he sees a non-caucasian person.

Many of times, my friends have been told that today is a private party event, and they aren't allowed to enter. Many times, I've to get the booking manager to bring my friends in.

That's life but the last laugh is always ours.

My wife worked as a bouncer until she was 33 , (the guys in her Kung Fu school suggested that she should do it) THe bouncers are generally very polite and are there to provide security.

On the otherhand, they will tolerate only a tiny amount of insubordination before you find yourself being ejected. If you do get into a confrontation with a bouncer, walk away as they are seriously tough. Glad to say that I have no interest in going to places with bouncers anymore! Must be getting old(er)

I have found the same as others, generally no trouble and not that big.

I have heard one bad story regarding race from a swiss guy, married to a Thai woman. A group of them headed out one night to a club in Biel (sorry cant remember the name) mostly Thai and a few Swiss guys. The bouncer said they had too many 'coloured people' in the club already, and they were denied access. I guess you are going to get idiots like that popping up now and again.

Also... almost nowhere has a dress code... you can enter pretty much any place, dressed as you want.

Strangely, I was once refused entry to a club here for not wearing trainers.

On the most part I agree, you can wear pretty much anything you want to the clubs, I don't think many have a dress code. You're hardly ever searched either. One bouncer even let me bring my bag of beers into the club so long as I promised to check them in.

Bouncers here tend to be softer than most I've come across in other countries.

Often they're quite dumb, which doesn't set them apart from those in other countries. They also tend to be quite easy to manipulate once you get to know their way of thinking and if they're not dumb they must be turning a blind eye and pretending to be dumb.

The only times I've ever had problems with them was when bringing in bags and such. Sometimes wardrobe fees are extortionate, and I only wanted to pop into the place for a short stint on my way home from work (it was very early in the night and the place was basically empty so I don't see how my bag could have done any harm).

You bumped the thread after well over a year to say that?

All the bouncers I've encountered here in Zürich have been very polite and often good humoured and helpful. This is in stark contrast to my experience in London.

Bouncers are generally pretty chilled out here in Switzerland. The higher end clubs will have them in usual suits, and the more general pubs or alternative scene discos may have them wearing more relaxes clothing, leather jackets, that kinda stuff.

Almost never seen a fight involving bouncers here, or a yelling match or similar... they just tend to keep the riff raff out, will tell you that the place is full or something similar. I've never had a problem with them, they may seem tame, but I don't think I'd like to pounce 2 or 3 of these guys on my own

They do tend to put on a very "Serious" face over in Geneva. A few will smile or joke around with you if you know them well enough, but otherwise they're all business.

"Good Bouncer"



All together now: "Neeeeeeiiiiiighbouuuuuuurs..."