Turned away from The George

40040D

So there I was last weekend - first time to go out in Dublin! it was a good friends birthday, and we had all planned to go to the George. The doorman asked my friend when was the last time he was here and who we were in particular me. He refused entry to all of us and said something along the lines of that they don't allow straight people in here.

Naturally my friend was furious...me a little bit more so. I felt so much more welcome when I went up the road to the Dragon.

I'm pretty sure if some gay people were refused entry from the more popular straight bars in Ireland there would be uproar. Its can be pretty hard to get into some places if you're the straight looking gay guy and not the stereotypical gay guy !

Has anyone else had this experience, I was gutted and honestly thought about ringing them about this.

stephen_n

I had this discussion with an idiot on here a while back who insisted that this would never happen that it's on their website they are all inclusive! I worked for the company that used to do the door there and it has always been an unspoken policy but I'm surprised he actually said why that's pretty dumb!

40040D

If you go to there website, go to their about us page it clearly states:

it is the venue where gay and straight people mix together

I dunno maybe they were joking when they were writing it...

Aard

I find (well, found; years since I've been out and about proper in Dublin) gay bars here to have awful bouncers. Maybe I'm just not gay enough, but I've had more hassle than I believe is necessary to keep the jokers at bay. The last one was the straw that broke the camel's back. A witty "Do you always come here dressed like that?" at the Front Lounge. I'd never dream of setting foot in that place since. Treat 'em mean to keep 'em keen? More like How to Lose Customers 101.

OP there's nothing you could have done. You're not in the group.

Barna77

Going to The G was your first mistake....

The doorman might have actually done your friend a favour :rolleyes:

Coeurdepirate

That's fúcking ridiculous, I know that if I were refused from a straight club/bar (or a gay club/bar since I seem straight) I'd be absolutely furious.

Goodshape

I've been refused from both the George and the Dragon a number of times for not being gay. Except that I am gay...

So that's not great fun.

Moon Indigo

Not sure if saying anything would make a difference but its worth a shot if it got to you. I find the bouncers on the George a mixed bunch and it really depends what night it is and who is playing. As the OP said maybe the bouncer did you a favour not letting you in.
I was there before a while back with my girlfriend and got told 'you know this is a gay bar don't you?' He stood right in our way as if to not let us in. She told him 'I hope so' and proceeded to kiss me that fairly shut him up! Its terrible though to be in a way discriminated against in a place that you should not have to worry about it.

stephen_n

There is a certain logic to making it clear to anyone trying to go in the nature of the club as the last thing you would want is some Neanderthals going in and causing trouble but once that's done and people make the conscious choice to go in anything else is discrimination!

I have never been refused, had it pointed out to me a few times alright but never turned away! I must look gay so lol

Donnaghm

hmmm, I'm a rather bulky "straight acting/looking" guy and I've experienced no such problem.

azezil

I've only experienced the same as Stephen_n, been told it's a gay bar but never turned away.

The only bar I was refused was the front lounge, said it was cause I was wearing runners, I looked passed him and sure enough I couldn't see anyone wearing runners so I said fair enough. *shrug*

jaffacakesyum

I was refused from the Dragon for looking too girly :rolleyes: Maybe if I shaved my head, got a load of piercings, wore jeans and a tanktop and came back that night I'd get in no problem.

Needless to say I've never gone back to the Dragon. Never had any trouble in the George but I have seen people get refused for not looking gay enough

cgcsb

the door staff aren't the best. I was once quizzed going into the G one time by a doorman who was very clearly a newbie. He asked me "had I been here before?" to which I replied, "Chicken, I've been going here since before you were done ****tin' yella"

FruitLover

Surely this violates the Equal Status Act?

cgcsb

FruitLover wrote: »

Surely this violates the Equal Status Act?

yup

Aard

Does it really though? Fairly sure they have a right to refuse entry. Especially on a night where you have to pay in, as effectively it becomes a members club.

ninty9er

Aard wrote: »

Does it really though? Fairly sure they have a right to refuse entry. Especially on a night where you have to pay in, as effectively it becomes a members club.

If you have to pay it's clearly NOT a members club. Members clubs have a different legal status to bars and clubs. I sit on 4 members club management committees, pointless exercise, but the law requires.

Anyhow, I'd consider it discrimination

stephen_n

Aard wrote: »

Does it really though? Fairly sure they have a right to refuse entry. Especially on a night where you have to pay in, as effectively it becomes a members club.

They have the right to refuse without giving a reason, they gave a reason and it is an illegal one.

df1985

been refused a few times from the george, not gay enough apparently.it took a member of staff i know to come to the door to get them to let me in.....only time ive been there, wont be back.

always let into dragon even when im plastered.

MagicMarker

Excuse me if this is a stupid question, but are the door staff gay?

40040D

df1985 wrote: »

been refused a few times from the george, not gay enough apparently... wont be back....

Wouldn't even waste my time trying to get in again

MagicMarker wrote: »

Excuse me if this is a stupid question, but are the door staff gay?

Doubt it..Maybe they should be

hotmail.com

They always refuse big girl groups.

He was a bit dumb to say it out loud.

The gay people that go the George are usually single and horny. They don't want dozens of straight girls taking up space. It's sad but true.

Why oh why do some girl groups want to go the George, is a novelty thing for some girls? I can see why they get refused if they're going upon that basis.

stephen_n

hotmail.com wrote: »

They always refuse big girl groups.


Why oh why do some girl groups want to go the George, is a novelty thing for some girls? I can see why they get refused if they're going upon that basis.

So they can enjoy the night without getting pestered by guys I suppose!

pauliebdub

I was with a group of workmates and we were refused entry a good few years back for being "straight". I suppose they want to stop people going in who are just there to gawk at people and for the novelty of being in a gay club.

hotmail.com

stephen_n wrote: »

So they can enjoy the night without getting pestered by guys I suppose!

The big girl groups end up leaving early as well, once the novelty has worn off. It's kind of annoying - oh let's go to a gay bar to mix with gays, we're mad!!

jaffacakesyum

hotmail.com wrote: »

They always refuse big girl groups.

He was a bit dumb to say it out loud.

The gay people that go the George are usually single and horny. They don't want dozens of straight girls taking up space. It's sad but true.

Why oh why do some girl groups want to go the George, is a novelty thing for some girls? I can see why they get refused if they're going upon that basis.

This sort of mindset is exactly why me and my friends got refused from the Dragon. :rolleyes:

Oh look a group of 6 feminine looking girls. They must all be straight and just out to a gay bar for the novelty like! Even though all of us were gay or bi.

Barna77

hotmail.com wrote: »

Why oh why do some girl groups want to go the George

Bingo

And I don't mean the bingo there...

Ah girly girls mixing with the gays, they might be looking for their best best friend ever there

:rolleyes:

stephen_n wrote: »

So they can enjoy the night without getting pestered by guys I suppose!

Well, i know some girls that like going to Coppers don't ask me why, just for a laugh, not looking to score some random guy from the sticks



For the record, first time I ever went to The G doorman warned my mate, his girlfriend and me that it was a gay club. Even though we were fully aware of it and of course we couldn't care about that, he repeated it about three times...

WonderWoman!

I'm kind of in 2 worlds about this whole ordeal

msg11

I'm straight and was also refused from the place (party for a gay friend).. Ended up in the dragon, diverse mix of people and enjoyable all the same..

stephen_n

WonderWoman! wrote: »

I'm kind of in 2 worlds about this whole ordeal

Is that a new way of saying bi



I'd expect with the proximity to temple bar they would make sure people know in advance it's s gay club, just in case. Bouncers in London will say the same thing in clubs!

Goodshape

I guess it's just a symptom of the larger issue that some LGBT people need somewhere they can feel safe, not private but maybe away from most.

While that's still the case then it stands to reason "straight" people would need to be vetted in at least some small way before they get in.

I look forward to the day when it doesn't matter. I don't mind gay bars / clubs existing -- lots of bars and clubs have different themes or styles -- but it'll be nice when they don't have to exist, and they can relax the admission criteria.



Still bloody annoying getting refused though. How do you prove you're gay?! Of course they're never blatant enough to say that, but on one occasion I just waited around until my boyfriend showed up, gave him a kiss and was let right in. Grrr.

WonderWoman!

No I'm a full gay b!tch !

I mean I don't like discrimination but that being said if a guy goes into a gaybar looking for a hook up and the vast majority are straight , then it would be unfair if he were to get assaulted by some straight nut for hitting on him in a gaybar

mrDerek

im straight and iv only ever gotten turned away for being wrecked drunk iv heard of a few people getting ****ed out for meetin girls if der guys and vice versa havent seen it myself tho

unfortunately

The first time I built up the courage to go to a gay bar when I was in college, I went to the George. I walked up to the door and the bouncer said: “Been here before?” I said no, and he just replied “not tonight”. I was so deflated, I had spent ages mulling it over in my head that this week I would go out, but then I would end up staying in alone; and when I finally do go out I’m turned away! I just quietly said OK and then walked down the street until I came across another bar: The Dragon! I got in no bother. So that’s my experience of it. It is only causing their business harm because now if I recommend a place or am in Dublin I’ll be going to the Dragon first.

blatantrereg

I'm straight and I went into the George with my ex, and it was obvious we were a couple, and I think obvioius we were straight. The bouncer said something like "Do you know this is a gay bar" and it was fine - let us in no problem. This was years ago now though mind...
I'd speculate that maybe the "too straight" reason for refusing entry is just something they say tbh - not the specific reason at all. Maybe some straight people have caused hassle there recently or something. It was packed the night we went in so I think if we were gong to be refused we would have been refused.

Annasopra

Maybe someone should take them to court using the equality laws

jasper11

do they still stop people for wearing runners in dublin? i know its kinda still happening in cork. only in ireland would this **** still happen my runners are 10 times more stylish thn any shoes i have.

floggg

Think of the controversy over the Oak in Cork kicking out two gay guys (who by subsequent admission seem to have been quite drunk).

There is outrage any time a gay person is treated in any way untoward in a straight venue.

Assuming there are on other extenuating circumstances here, it's equally wrong the OP was turned away.

I would have thought the point of gay bars is not a place where only gays can go, but just a place where gays can comfortably be themselves.

I would have looked forward to bringing my straight friends to a gay bar - not sure I'd want to do it now if that's how they'd be treated.

baby and crumble

It has happened that my girlfriend has gotten some grief on the door of The G, along the lines of "Do you know what kind of place this is?" and "Are you sure this is for you, love?". But only if she's on her own- if she's with me it's all good. Clearly I look gayer than her...

stephen_n

mango salsa wrote: »

Maybe someone should take them to court using the equality laws

I think it would be a fairly hard case to prove!

floggg

I'm also a tad pissed I look gay enough to get in without any hassle!

Aard

mango salsa wrote: »

Maybe someone should take them to court using the equality laws

Litigation is rarely worth the time/money/energy. The words of an octogenarian ex-barrister.

I say let them refuse people til the cows come home. They can have their clique and exclusivity (literally), then they'll fold faster.

gazzer

If doormen at the George are refusing people because they are straight then it is discrimination plain and simple. If I was refused from say Club M or Buskers etc because I am gay I would be furious so it works both ways.

anotherlostie

The only time I've ever had hassle getting into a gay bar was when either I was very drunk, or I was with someone that was. Not having an asymmetric hair cut, I've been advised at the door of the Dragon on several occasions that it was a gay bar and I just look the bouncer in the eye and tell him I'm well aware of that, thanks, and no trouble from there.

If the George let every straight girl/ couple in, then how long until there would be a thread complaining that the place was being overrun with straight people and it was no longer a gay venue? I really don't think they can win.

brokenice

i wants ma kiss by me ann doyle!.....OI!

baby and crumble

brokenice wrote: »

i wants ma kiss by me ann doyle!.....OI!

Emm... what?

stephen_n

baby and crumble wrote: »

Emm... what?

We need a breathalyzer on boards.ie

Moon Indigo

Unsure about the fact you won't get pestered by lad thing. Ummm have had two experiences in the George. Once the bouncers actually had to say it to the lads 'leave it out'. In my opinion alot of straight people are in the George or swingers or whatever looking for a bit of fun. I suppose now that its put out there can sort of understand why the bouncers are explaining things.

cafecolour

Not at The George, but in a gay club in another country, I tried to enter, and the (presumably straight) bouncer asked me if I was gay. I said 'yes' and he, skeptically asked me if I was 'sure' (as I think I come off more as a hetero dork than anything). I responded "Do you want me to prove it?" and winked at him.

Never any problems getting in after that

Annasopra

Mr.S wrote: »

They do allow straight people in.

and yet people are telling us different in here

Barna77

brokenice wrote: »

i wants ma kiss by me ann doyle!.....OI!

I saw her today but didn't ask for a kiss ya know