BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – A national nonprofit is working to make Birmingham’s nightlife safer for everyone who heads out hoping to have a good time.
The Safe Bar Network has spent the last several weeks visiting more than 20 bars, restaurants and breweries across the city. Their training sessions focus on teaching staff how to recognize uncomfortable situations and step in before they escalate.
Business development representative Darian Everding said the program is designed to help hospitality workers identify warning signs early and prevent harm. That includes spotting body language cues, noticing when someone turns away from their group, addressing unwanted touching, or recognizing when someone targets a person who may have had too much to drink.
One of the latest training sessions was held at Cahaba Brewing in Avondale. Marketing spokesperson Virginia Nelson said programs like this not only protect customers but also build trust in the community.
“We don’t want to be one of those places that has a reputation where people might not be looking out for you so we want to make sure we have everyone’s back at all times,” Nelson said.
Everding added that the initiative benefits both patrons and staff.
“We provide better hospitality experiences by giving ourselves the opportunity to check in, make sure the experience is great, make sure that we’re respecting ourselves as hospitality staff to also have the same great experience while we’re at work and make sure everybody has a safe night out,” Everding said.
At its core, the Safe Bar Network encourages staff to be active bystanders – finding ways to interrupt or de-escalate situations when something feels off.
To sign up, contact Darian Everding by email at darian@safebarnetwork.org or by phone at 515-493-2343.
To refer a venue in your community, click or tap here.
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