The Bouncers of Scorps

In honor of it being the first few weeks back on campus, the Her Campus girls thought it was only appropriate to choose a campus celebrity that hundreds of people see every (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) night, but never really take the time to get to know, and so we bring you….the Bouncers of Scorps! Every weekend, the streets of downtown Durham are packed for the 21+ crowd headed to the bars. Many of them standing outside Scorptions Bar & Grill. This past Friday I dared to go to where no twenty year old dares to go. Armed with no fake ID, and instead a pen and paper, I waltzed past the long line of upper classmen to speak with the men in black. I won’t deny that I was nervous (they’re intimidating!), and I certainly got my fair share of dirty looks, but Luckily the guys at the door loved the idea of being Campus Celebrities for a week! The two bouncers I met were Mike and Larry, both of whom neither went to UNH, but have made their mark regardless. More than most other twenty years olds trying to get into Scops can say, my first night there was a success. Here’s what I found out about the guys at the door: 

Left to Right: Larry, Jay (rocking the mustache), and Mike.

How long have you worked at Scorps?

Mike has been working there for the past four years and Larry has been there just about two years.

How did you get the job as a bouncer here?

 Mike’s cousin owns Scorpions Bar and Larry got the job through a friend. 

Favorite part about working at Scorps?

They both surprisingly decided that it wasn’t the discounted drink, but instead admitted that their favorite part of bouncing is kicking people out of the bar and taking away their fake Ids.

How does someone coming to Scorps at night get on you good side And your bad side?

 Mike: Knowing my name is a great way to get on my good side, as long as being personable. If someone is rude then they’ll be on my bad side.

Larry: As long as people are respectful, they’ll be on my good side, but if people feel that they are entitled to getting in front of the line, that’s how they get on my bad side.

Do you ever go to Libbys or The Knot?

Mike: I’ll sometimes go to The Knot, definitely not Libbys!

Larry: I rarely even come here. (Referring to Scorps)

Any advice for a girl on her 21st birthday?

DON’T COME! (This answer actually all came from not just the bouncers, but everyone sitting at the bar as well)

However, if you are feeling brave and sober enough to bust through those doors, do not be stupid and DO NOT throw up on the bar. They’ll probably hate you forever  (just saying). But most importantly you should start your night out there by taking a tsunami shot!

Best excuse way to get in when there’s a line?

Both Mike and Larry decided that they didn’t have an answer for this one. (Stick to being polite at the door)

Favorite group that comes in?

Mike and Larry said that they, just like most of the regulars in general are always great. Jay, who was standing behind the bar while I was doing the interview, said that his favorites are the men’s basketball team and the hockey team.

Do you have a favorite drink?

Mike: Bud light

Larry: Whiskey

Lessons learned: Don’t go to scorps with a fake, don’t be annoying at the door, and if there is a chance of having a blacked out 21st birthday, you should probably not go to Scorps! All in all if you’re going to be at Scorps this weekend, make sure you give a big hello to the bouncers (and tell them we sent you) because they’re actually pretty awesome, and they put up with your shit every weekend!