Gypsy Bar: Racial profiling at the door?

I attended a birthday party last Saturday night at Gypsy Bar. Had a blast once I got inside, but something rather curious occurred at the door.

I was with two people, and one was wearing black Puma sneakers. At the door, he was turned away because of his shoes. We tried to reason with the doorman, but apparently my friend’s denial of entry came directly from the manager on-duty that night, who was standing inside at a window monitoring everyone in line. Okay, changing shoes is kind of a pain in the ass, but understandable considering Gypsy Bar’s no sneaker policy. I didn't think anything of it until I saw the doormen letting in many other sneaker-wearing men. Four, maybe even five. When I pointed it out, the doorman got scarily irate out of nowhere, like I was questioning his authority. Calm down dude, we’re talking about shoes.

We finally got into Gypsy Bar after taking a $20 cab ride home and back again. When we met up with the birthday girl, she told me that her boyfriend was also turned away at the door for wearing sneakers. His buddy, standing right next to him and sporting ever-classy Nike Shocks, was permitted entry. 

What distinguished the two turned away from the others? Both were very clearly Middle Eastern—one Israeli (with a thick accent), one Persian (with no accent but sporting his signature curly beard). All the men let in were white.

I’m wondering if it’s Gypsy Bar’s standard policy to decide whether or not to implement the dress code policy based on the race of the offender.

For instance, the dress code also bars hat-wearing. As it turns out, the second person I was with at the door (my boyfriend, who is white) was wearing a fashionable cap on his head. He was not asked to remove it and was let in, no problem.

I’ve gotten in touch with Gypsy Bar’s PR manager. Let’s see if she has anything to say about it.

But in the meantime, I’d like to know if you’ve ever encountered this sort of racial profiling at Gypsy Bar, or any other bars and clubs in Boston. Do you think it’s justifiable? Do you think it even is racial profiling, or just coincidence?

Update:
Funny, right at the moment I posted this blog I received an email from Kevin Troy, the owner of Gypsy Bar (see below). It's a heartfelt and well-written explanation/apology, but I don't know, I'm still left feeling a bit uncomfortable about the place...

As the owner of Gypsy Bar I wanted to reply directly to your complaint.  I
can assure you that many people are turned away from our doors every
weekend, the majority of them are caucasian men and women.

In order to maintain the upscale environment we have worked so diligently to
create, we ask that our guests adhere to the dress codes we have put in
place. I am personally at the door and within the club many weekends making
sure our staff, inside and out, ask patrons to keep hats off or change out
of sneakers. These simple steps create a more refined environment than one
might find at a typical jeans and T-shirt bar elsewhere in the city.

If some people that were not up to our dress code standards did happen to
slip through I will most certainly speak to my staff as this is
unacceptable. We have always welcomed a very varied group of people into our
establishment, including many international residents.

I apologize if you feel you or your guests were slighted and I'm saddened
that you feel the need to broadcast this to your readers. I would never wish
the kind of experience you recounted on anyone, particularly at one of my
establishments. I hope you will see fit to join us again soon.

Thanks, Kevin Troy

Comments

[amin 4.0]

His so-called "establishment" is exactly as its name states...a gypsey operation!!

Long live sneakers! haha

[P-diddy]

Notice how the owner feels the need to 'blame the media' -- your blog -- at the end of his apology. Public humilitation -- shame, if you will -- is precisely what sparked his reply. And it's what will create postive change if he is being genuine. Makes me want to come up there to Boss-Town just to find out!

[The Missus]

Yeah.. Gypsy Bar seems to be a bit of a "jerk" place. I have avoided it as much as possible.

On a side note, I see that you work at Digitas. I think you may have my old job copywriting. I left in January to do search marketing.

[jpastor]

Did you see Knocked Up? This reminds me of the scene where the bouncer pulls the girl aside and tells her he can't let her in because she's too old. And then he goes on to explain the door policy: only 10% blacks, etc...

I'm sure that's what Gypsy does too.

[Lyss]

Will the shoe nazis make an exception for someone with an injury? Last year I sprained an ankle and was basically forced to wear nothing but sneakers for a very long time. I wonder if Gypsy Bar would've denied me entry? (Especially back when I limped around with one foot in a walking cast, the other in a sneaker.)

[Derek McCarthy]

In this day of $200 Diesel Disco Sneakers, there's often a fine line between sneakers and shoes. It seems that if you spend a lot of money on sneakers at a Newbury Street Shop, they'll let you in.

I happened to be at Gypsy Bar as well last Saturday night and while no one in my group was wearing sneakers, I find the doorstaff to be unreasonably hostile. It was the typical meathead power trip stuff "you tellin me how to do my job?!" that I expect and Rumor / Venu / Mantra / Avalon but don't expect at Gypsy Bar & Liquor Store. We would've left, but were going to a friend's bday. Gypsy Bar will take the same course as Avalon if their staff doesn't learn how to treat their customers.

My friends and I don't plan to go to Gypsy Bar or Liquor Store in the near future. We're sick of the lack of hospitality in Boston's "hospitality" industry. We're headin to Cambridge, and encourage readers to do the same.

[roxxma]

Someone should complain to the City's Licensing Board next time this happens. Enough complaints may jeopardize their liquor and or entertainment license.

[Yossi]

hey,
im that israeli guy.

im not going to talk about the idea that they wouldnt let me in because of my origins because i am still kind of new in the states and it was first time in Boston so i still dont think that i can judge in that matter.

i want to talk about something else.
first of all i find it odd to implement dressing code on shoes, especially in a club when everyone is dancing, who looks at shoes in a place like that?!

second im not the manager of the club and it not up to me to set the rules but in this case i think that they were wrong. i didnt brought any shoes except sneakers with me and im a guest from israel. i believe that they should have been much more flexible, in my point of view to send a tourist that his friends decided to take him to your club back home to change shoes is wrong.

i know for sure that im not going to recommend my friends that plan to come to Boston about this place.