A
bouncer (also known as a
doorman,
door supervisor or
cooler) is a type of
security guard, employed at venues such as
bars,
nightclubs,
ranches or
concerts to provide security, check
legal age, to refuse entry for
intoxication, aggressive behavior or non-compliance with
statutory or establishment rules. Bouncers are often required where crowd size, clientele or
alcohol consumption may make arguments or fights a possibility, or where the threat or presence of criminal gang activity is high. In the
United States,
civil liability and
court costs related to the use of force by bouncers are "the highest preventable loss found within the [bar] industry", as many United States bouncers are often taken to court and other countries have similar problems of excessive force. In many countries, federal or state governments have taken steps to professionalise the industry by requiring bouncers to have training, licensing, and a
criminal records background check.