Safe bars want you to have a worry-free night
And how you can support bars that keep patrons safe
Last week I came across a video from Love City Brewing about their designation as a “safe bar,” and as someone who frequents bars, restaurants and nightlife, I was curious how that certification worked and what it means for patrons.
So I reached out to Melissa Walter, co-owner of Love City, for more information. Walter has a background in mental health services, and understanding how interactions at a bar could be improved comes naturally to her. “I was a therapist for many years before starting the brewery, so a lot of this comes from my background of having experienced that world and different populations and people in need,” she said.
Walter organized a training with WOAR-Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence, the oldest rape crisis center in Pennsylvania. They offer workshops on engaged bystanding training, creating space spaces for youth, restorative justice sessions, and other counseling for community organizations and hospitality groups who want to make their environments safer. The de-escalation training they offer is part of the Liberty Bell Safe Certified Business program to build out safer nightlife culture across Philly.
Walter has organized the training for her staff three times now, and is already planning to do it again. “It’s about three hours. It's very interactive. It's very focused on how to recognize signs that something might not be okay, like recognizing body language,” she says.
Participants in the training learn to identify situations in which people are looking for an escape from a conversation, or may want to leave without being followed. They learn to de-escalate conflicts at the bar, and remove patrons who might need space.
“Our customers are generally very awesome, and we love them,” Walter says, “But of course, there have been instances where it seemed like a first date was not going well, and somebody wanted to leave, but didn't want to wait for their Uber out front,” she says. In that situation, Love City staff would escort the patron through another entrance and wait with them for their ride share.
In particular, Walter says that doing the training helps staff feel more empowered, because learning how to de-escalate and practicing effective measures are very different scenarios. While bartenders are naturally engaging people, the more introverted or inexperienced are given practice in tense situations.
How you can help
You can volunteer with the Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence by working on their 24/7 crisis hotline after taking a counseling training. Volunteers must make a one-year commitment of 6-8 hotline hours per month, including evenings and weekends.
Restaurants and bars can reach out to WOAR-Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence to get their staff Safe Bar certified by reaching out here.
You can visit Love City and other safe-certified bars to show your support for spaces that are community-minded. Other bars that are Safe Bar certified include Dolphin’s Tavern and Morgan’s Pier, among others on that list above.
Check out HURRY UP FEST at Underground Arts, a fest from November 13th through 15th with proceeds going to WOAR.
