Advice on kicking out customers

[Spitfire01]

Not sure this is exactly the right place to ask this but you all seem like a decent bunch for the time Ive been overing these boards. anyway to the point...
I work in a pub and I'm getting more and more frustrated at these days when kicking out at the end of the night. We're only small so no door staff to help and I inevitabley end up being the only male member of staff at the end of the night. I seem to struggle to get people to listen to me and it's like talking to a wall. I've tried being louder/more assertive and they just carry on. Especially those insisting on using the gambling machines (should I be too slow in turning them off before we stop serving).
Recently, for instance, I had a group of about 5 lads with alot left in their drinks and still on the machine. Nothing could get them to move they were getting more annoyed with me as I was with their blatant disregard for what i was asking. This was getting to around half an hour after we had closed and they wern't moving. I threatened to just switch the machine off but with all of them there it seemed that would cause more problems than it solved.
Just looking for some advice on how to be a bit more i guess assertive/confident. I am not exactly a big guy so i'm easily brushed off.

[Terbinator]

Turn the machine off and tell them to GTFO.

[Spitfire01]

I don't get paid enough for them to start a fight with me. Had there been less of them 1 or 2 I probably would have.

[Terbinator]

I don't get paid enough for them to start a fight with me. Had there been less of them 1 or 2 I probably would have.

But seriously, you could make sure they've heard you say "right we're shutting up" or whatever and then turn the machine off - can they really complain if you've told them ?

Where is the landlord in all of this ?

[SammEl]

But seriously, you could make sure they've heard you say "right we're shutting up" or whatever and then turn the machine off - can they really complain if you've told them ?

Where is the landlord in all of this ?

Maybe at home?

[golwg]

Give them notice 30mins before closing? Be firm.

[jim]

Why don't you get the landlord to put some kind of timing device behind the machine hidden away - at closing time it automatically cuts power.

Then put a big notice at the side saying the machine will cut off at X time and any money in the machine at that time will be lost. That way it isn't your fault and if anybody complains then "sorry, nothing I can do, all automatic".

[0iD]

You're always going to get the awkward drinker that overstays their welcome & gets a bit shirty. In my experience, friendly & firm is always the way regardless. Get them talking about their pets, wife, girl, or family because it normally puts them at ease.

However, when dealing with groups, you should not be dealing with it on your own. Get your boss to buy timer plugs that switch off at a certain time & a notice saying "This machine WILL automatically switch off at 11:30pm" Failing that, call the police.

[HSK]

Start a vampire lock in. They'll soon be trying to kick those doors down and out.

[finlay666]

Start a vampire lock in. They'll soon be trying to kick those doors down and out.

You chose Danny Trejo over Salma Hayek? Shame on you

[HSK]

You chose Danny Tujillo over Salma Hayek? Shame on you

Well don't get me wrong, it was about to go that way. But in terms of intimidation, I had to choose this fella. Salma Hayek would make me want to stay.

[finlay666]

Well don't get me wrong, it was about to go that way. But in terms of intimidation, I had to choose this fella. Salma Hayek would make me want to stay.

In that case then you should have chosen sex machine


or just something like windowlicker

(SFW version )

[circuitmonkey]

I use to have that problem,
I worked in the only pub in town with a late license and we seemed to attract the violent drunken scum at the end of the night. Well occasionally they wouldn't want to leave and it would turn violent, but we had a pretty good bunch of locals who where always welcome to stay a bit later for a lock in. They would always help out if needed, but most of the time I could defuse the situation with conversation. Humour goes a long way to defusing a situation, and if they do have a fair bit of drink left, it's often easier to refund them the drink and send them on their way.
As for the fruit machine, sounds like the timer idea is a good one, and if this doesn't work point out that "you have the right to refuse service" and in future they will not be welcome if this persists.

[JPreston]

You chose Danny Tujillo over Salma Hayek? Shame on you

Danny Trejo.

[Spitfire01]

Think the timer is a good idea, but most of the other tips I have tied in some form they just ignore it. We're such a small pub tends to only be 2 or 3 of us at the end. the manager that particular night is a bit of a waste of space and never helps. usually left to me and i do get annoy pretty quickly these days.

[finlay666]

Danny Trejo.

Indded, google name fail