91Ƶ

Skip to content

91ƵSafety is paramount91Ƶ: Kelowna nightlife can be a zoo sometime

Nightclub manager David Habib talks safety and security

When it comes to nightlife security, minds drift back to old-school bouncers and Road House rules with the strongest, burliest guys in town just itching to throw people out.

That91Ƶs not the case, today.

Modern-day security guards are now trained professionals.

The manager of the Liquid Zoo, David Habib, sat down with Capital News to discuss what it takes to work in the field.

91ƵBack in the early 90s when I first got into the business, you had to stock yourself with the biggest, toughest guys because they had to be capable of dealing with all kinds of issues which were pretty much a weekly thing.91Ƶ

Security at liquor establishments is required to be licensed through the province and complete Basic Security Training, a 40-hour course including a final exam.

The Liquid Zoo takes this one step further by requiring all security staff to complete Advanced Security Training, allowing them to use handcuffs as restraints.

91ƵSince we reopened in February, [using handcuffs as restraints] maybe happened two or three times. It91Ƶs not a very regular thing and it91Ƶs all going to be dependent on the person91Ƶs attitude.91Ƶ

As manager, Habib keeps his license up-to-date by renewing it every three years.

He also has several bartenders and other staff, including women, that are licensed for security if needed.

When asked why Habib said it all comes down to safety.

91ƵSafety is paramount. I91Ƶll use myself as an example, in 2019 I got punched in the eye, I got blindsided by an individual,91Ƶ Habib said. 91ƵI lost 50 per cent of vision in my left eye for nothing. Absolutely, nothing. There was no reason to do it91Ƶ It91Ƶs one of those things that we don91Ƶt want that to happen to another staff member. I91Ƶm lucky that I91Ƶve still got some vision.91Ƶ

And it91Ƶs not just safety for staff, but for everyone who walks through the door.

IDs are scanned, pictures taken, and security pats patrons down for drugs and weapons.

91ƵThe basis for it is for public safety. If there91Ƶs somebody who91Ƶs flagged as a public safety risk it91Ƶll be on there and then they can91Ƶt come in, that91Ƶs just the way it is. So, you don91Ƶt want to get banned as a public safety risk, because you91Ƶre not going in anywhere. We91Ƶre not just talking North America, this system is in Australia and many other cities around the world. It91Ƶs actually taking the world by storm and I think with great reason. Look at what91Ƶs happened in the States, in the nightclub shootings and things like that. For everybody to have to be identified is a pretty important thing.91Ƶ

Habib says everyone deserves to have a good time and go home at the end of the night.

READ MORE: Reids in the valley: country singer spotted in Kelowna

READ MORE: Bartel behind the mic for 23rd season with Kelowna Rockets



brittany.webster@blackpress.ca

Like us on and follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily .

29915784_web1_220804-KCN-liquid-zoo-security_1


Brittany Webster

About the Author: Brittany Webster

I am a video journalist based in Kelowna and capturing life in the Okanagan
Read more



(or

91Ƶ

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }