Interview with a Leeds bouncer: Tiger Tiger

They keep the zoo animals calm while they queue to get in the infamous Tiger Tiger on a Friday night.

Leeds Bouncers – you either love them or you hate them. We chatted with the Tiger Tiger doormen to find out what they really think of us.

Names:

John and Lee

Ages:

35 and 27

Are you in relationship?

John: I’m engaged.

Lee: I have a girlfriend

Describe yourselves in 3 words.

John: Bald, ugly and seedy

Lee: Friendly, happy and scary

Which gym are you a member of?

John: Total Combat

Lee: South Leeds Health Centre

What do you like to do in your free time?

John: Don’t get that much free time. I teach martial arts as well

Lee: Bit of training, relaxing…

Who are more badly behaved? Boys or girls?

John: Girls!

Lee: Girls!

Do you get a lot of girls flirting with you?

John: Sometimes they flirt to try and get in.

Lee: Occasionally.

Do you find a lot of drugs?

John: Not at this venue.

Lee: No, not at all.

Would you say you are a big softy beneath that burley exterior?

John: Yes.

Lee: Definitely!

Best/worst club you have ever worked at in Leeds?

Lee: Tiger Tiger is the best…Mission is the worst.

General opinion of students, friends or foe?

John: Most of them are all right.

Lee: Bit of both, I would say friends mostly.

Worst and weirdest situation you have ever come across?

John: Once I found a male and female couple in the toilets unconscious in their own faeces and vomit, on a student night. I passed it on to the manager.

Are you mates with other bouncers? Is there a cool bouncer gang?

John: Lot of my mates are bouncers.

Lee: Yes, I have lots of bouncer friends. Not exactly like a bouncer gang…

Are someone’s looks ever dependent on whether you let someone into your club?

John: In terms of whether they are attractive or not, no. That doesn’t have any bearing on whether I let them in.

Lee: Not physical looks, but if they are looking a bit… *I mouth dodgy and he nods* …then maybe.

Tattoos?

John: Three tribal symbols, on my arm, shoulder and back.

Lee: I have two, a tribal one on my arm and my name.

Did you have a lot of ‘Bouncer’ training?

John: It is mandatory to get a badge, you have to be licenced to work.

Lee: I had 2 weeks of training to get my badge.

Have you ever felt intimidated by another club goer?

John: A guy once had a meat cleaver down his pants; he told the police he was meeting a butcher, which was ridiculous as it was midnight on a Sunday night. I had to grab it and push him away.

Lee: Yes. A guy once threatened us with a knife. Nothing happened, we just dealt with it, that’s what they teach us in training.

Rudest thing a club goer has ever said to you?

John: I get called a bald wanker quite often.

Lee: The worst you can imagine. There is such a big list – we get it the whole time.

Which super hero would you be?

John: Batman

Lee: Superman

Super power?

John: Ability to control time

Lee: Definitely invisibility

 

Tiger Tiger seems to be a little tame, so next time I’m heading to Mission where the true animals come out to play.

If you have any scandalous bouncer-stories you would like to share please email [email protected]