“People typically don’t show up wearing them.”Ī plaque implicitly stating the dress code policy was recently removed from the building. “The policy was developed with the management and safety teams along with ownership,” said Sourias, who can’t personally remember a time when anyone was actually turned away for wearing a hat or steel-toe boots at the bar. U-Bahn’s owner, Teddy Sourias, said his bar’s door policy was created two years ago in response to “safety” concerns. “We recognize that certain dress codes, while neutral, can end up being discriminatory in application because a particular group of individuals may wear that certain article of clothing more than others.” 'NEVER LOOKED AT OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS' “The Fair Practice Ordinance prohibits discrimination in public accommodations, and bars, clubs and restaurants are places of public accommodations,” she said. And while she says there is no standard dress code policy for bars and clubs in Philly, ultimately policies need to be enforced equally to ensure no patrons are being unfairly signaled out based on race. “U-Bahn and all bars operated by the same owners must go through training if everyone is going to be held to the same standard.”Īccording to Pamela Gwaltney, deputy executive director at the PCHR, the Gayborhood bars were targeted for investigation because of specific complaints that surfaced about these businesses. “If the PCHR is serious about enforcing dress codes, then we should see a very serious approach undertaken in the coming days,” Sotland said.
In the past, articles of clothing like Timberland boots have been discussed, as well as athletic gear and skullcaps popular among African-American men.ī ut Sotland is concerned that not all establishments are being held to the same standard. The PCHR confirmed to the PhillyVoice that, to date, there’s been 100 percent compliance.Īnother element to the PCHR investigation was the dismantling of discriminatory dress codes in gay bars and nightclubs. Then the PCHR released its report outlining complaints before leading mandatory training for all gay bar owners and staff. The issue has been ongoing for many months.įirst, there were the heated community meetings on Gayborhood racism late last year. Gay, trans and homeless: Inside Philly’s LGBTQ Home for Hopeīut you can't get into U-Bahn on a Friday or Saturday night if you're wearing a hat or work boots.Īnd that dress code rankles Jeff Sotland, the co-owner of Tabu, a gay lounge and sports bar in the Gayborhood around the corner from U-Bahn on South 12th Street.įor the past few months, Sotland has worked with the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) as the panel worked to address complains about rampant racial discrimination at the city's gay bars and nightclubs.Video shows tense encounter between BLM, Philly lawmaker about Gayborhood racism.Sexual misconduct allegations continue to haunt Mazzoni Center.On a typical weekend at the bar, the sister establishment to next-door BRU Craft & Wurst in Philadelphia's Midtown Village/Gayborhood, a local DJ can be found spinning tracks while patrons nosh on warm pretzels and other German-inspired eats. U-Bahn, a Chestnut Street bar known for its craft beer, i s not exactly the sort of place where you might expect to find controversy brewing.