Preventing Bar Violence

The book Raising the Bar: Preventing Aggression in and Around Bars, Pubs and Clubs (Willan Publishing, 2008) by researchers Kathryn Graham and Ross Hommel examines the complex problem of drinking and violence and evidence-based preventive strategies to reduce bar violence. According to Graham, who is a senior scientist and head of Social and Community Prevention at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, “We wanted to explore why drinking establishments are high risk for aggression and why some establishments are riskier than others, but also highlight the effectiveness of existing interventions and policies, and the importance of better regulatory models for achieving safer drinking establishments.”

Bars and nightclubs stand out as one of the most likely settings for violence, especially among young adults. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, approximately 40 percent of people experiencing violence are 18 to 30 years old. A 2002 study (Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Vol. 17, No. 5, 2002) found that 13 percent of male college students and 3 percent of female college students reported being in a physical fight in a bar in the past 12 months.

In a presentation at the Responsible Hospitality Institute’s November 2009 Networking Conference on the Nighttime Economy in Austin, Texas, Graham said, “It is no coincidence that aggressive behavior is likely to occur in drinking establishments. In fact, alcohol has been linked to crime and violence both over time and across cultures. Nevertheless, while the effects of alcohol can contribute to violence, alcohol is neither a necessary nor sufficient cause of aggressive behavior.”

According to Graham, in the alcohol-violence link, aggression occurs when there is a combination of the pharmacological effects of alcohol, a person who is willing to be aggressive when drinking, and an immediate drinking context conducive to aggression, along with a broader culture that tolerates alcohol-related aggression.

“In addition, alcohol is particularly likely to be involved in violence that is unplanned and arises out of social interaction and conflict, as is often the case in bars, clubs, and taverns,” explained Graham. “The main issues underlying barroom aggression are macho concerns, that is, male patrons who are looking to prove or defend their manhood, sexual or romantic overtures, and a casual disregard for safety within a subculture of violence frequented by marginalized people.

“But, it is young men and a macho culture that is the largest source of conflict in many drinking contexts. At least within English-speaking countries, bar violence is often related to male patrons’ concerns about manhood, reputation, and standing up for oneself and one’s friends,” added Graham.

However, the characteristics of patrons are not solely responsible for barroom violence. Bar environments also contribute to aggressive behavior by patrons. But, the physical attributes tend to be nonsignificant when social environmental variables are included as predictors of violence.

“Not all bar patrons experience violence, and not all bars are places in which violence frequently occurs. Characteristics of the bar itself may increase the risk of violence. For example, drinking establishments where there is high tolerance for aggression and intoxication are at greatest risk of problems with violence. Crowd density increases the chances of individuals invading each other's personal space, especially if there are design problems leading to congestion and bumping. Dancing, sexual contact, and competitive games may also increase the chance for conflict to occur in bars,” said Graham.

“But a clean well-kept bar with a helpful and friendly staff is less likely to suggest to drinkers that aggressive behavior is acceptable than is a dirty and poorly maintained bar with unfriendly, officious, or aggressive staff,” Graham added.

Bar staff play an important role in preventing bar violence, especially those charged with maintaining order.

“Door staff or security staff should be good communicators who are able to not only prevent problems but also stop problems without using force. They need to work as a team with other staff. In addition, they should be even tempered, well trained, have a sense of humor, and not feel the need to prove or defend their manhood. Of course, they also need to be strongly supported by management,” said Graham.

There are steps that bar owners can take to reduce the risk for violence in their establishments. For example, the Safer Bars program developed by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health aims to decrease violence by training bar staff in techniques for managing problem behavior. It focuses on intervening early, using effective tactics and body language, planning ahead and working as a team, learning how to keep from losing your temper, dealing with intoxicated patrons, and knowing legal responsibilities. An evaluation of the Safer Bars program found that such training can decrease bar violence.

Editor’s note: For more information on Raising the Bar: Preventing Aggression in and Around Bars, Pubs and Clubs, go to www.amazon.co.uk/Raising-Bar-Preventing-Aggression-Science/dp/1843923181. For more information on the Safer Bars program, go to www.apolnet.ca/resources/education/presentations/SaferBarsPresentation-May06.pdf.