I will never return to Zen Social Club. Zen used to be my favorite place in Pittsburgh until two weeks ago. My group and I went to Zen around 1:30am, well before the after-hours crowd showed up. My group consisted of five of my black friends, myself, and two other white people, all dressed more than appropriately since we had just come from my engagement party. My black friends were in front of me and tried to show their ID's to the bouncer. He informed them that it was members only and that we had to be on the list. When we asked why, he said "It's a private club. I don't owe you any explanations." At no time did he ever look at ID's or ask us for our names.
At the same time, four obviously drunk white girls and three white males walked past the bouncer. No one checked any list, no one checked memberships, and no one even acknowledged that they had just walked past us. When I attempted to ask why they were allowed in but we weren't, the bouncer said "it's a private club and I can let in whoever I want." As I was standing there, I noticed that all of the people who were being turned away were black, while all the people who were in line were white.
When I questioned the bouncer again, he called over a police officer. I spoke with the police officer, explaining what had happened and pointed out that all the people being turned away were with groups of people who were mostly black. The bouncer then turned to me and said, "you and your friend (also white) can go in, but the rest of your group can't." I declined and pointed out to the officer what the bouncer had just said. The police officer apologized to me and said "you're right. It's not right. I understand what you're saying."
I have since called Zen four times and left three messages asking for a manager to return my phone call so that I could voice my concern and complain about the treatment we received. I have not received a phone call in response.
Unfortunately for Zen, I don't believe their attempt at the "private club" excuse allows them to discriminate based on race, considering that they are open to the public most nights, never ask for memberships, and allow members of the public in without being accompanied by a Zen club member.
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At the same time, four obviously drunk white girls and three white males walked past the bouncer. No one checked any list, no one checked memberships, and no one even acknowledged that they had just walked past us. When I attempted to ask why they were allowed in but we weren't, the bouncer said "it's a private club and I can let in whoever I want." As I was standing there, I noticed that all of the people who were being turned away were black, while all the people who were in line were white.
When I questioned the bouncer again, he called over a police officer. I spoke with the police officer, explaining what had happened and pointed out that all the people being turned away were with groups of people who were mostly black. The bouncer then turned to me and said, "you and your friend (also white) can go in, but the rest of your group can't." I declined and pointed out to the officer what the bouncer had just said. The police officer apologized to me and said "you're right. It's not right. I understand what you're saying."
I have since called Zen four times and left three messages asking for a manager to return my phone call so that I could voice my concern and complain about the treatment we received. I have not received a phone call in response.
Unfortunately for Zen, I don't believe their attempt at the "private club" excuse allows them to discriminate based on race, considering that they are open to the public most nights, never ask for memberships, and allow members of the public in without being accompanied by a Zen club member.