FURORE OVER CAPE TOWN’S BRONX BAR
There’s been a furore over claims that the Bronx gay bar in Cape Town turned away a Belgian tourist because he is black.
The Cape Argus has reported that the Belgian man, Aridi Amipi, is considering suing the establishment.
Amipi claims that when he and a friend from England attempted to gain entry into the venue, his friend was allowed in but he was barred from entering. The doorman apparently refused to explain to Amipi why he could not enter.
The next day, Amipi reported the incident to the police. He said that he would wait for an explanation from the bar’s owners before deciding to sue Bronx.
In the bar’s defence, Bronx owner Bruno Bronn denied that the man was turned away because of his race and said that it may have been because he resembled a previously “problem client”.
On claims that the bar regularly turned away black people, Bronn said that this was untrue and that clientele were only barred from the venue on the basis of their inappropriate behaviour. He said that he would contact Amipi to discuss the matter.
Meanwhile, the story has been reported around the world raising concern about its possible impact on gay tourism in the city.
I find it hard to believe that there happened to be another black Belgian who had caused trouble in the past. And even if there was a resemblance, a little more communication from the doorman would have resolved the issue.
True. The gay scene in South Africa is inherently racist. Alot of bigotry as well. I’ts because of gay black activist’s like Simon Nkoli that we have our rights today. it is because of that man that Bronx can operate legally. I am so sad…
Bronx is a Racist Club!!. I too was once told that I could n’t come in at Bronx and there was no valid reason.The only thing I could think of was maybe I did n’t have right colour cause all the guys were allowed in.BRONX IS VERY RACIST!!
Close Bronx Down. Bronx is a dingy bar and a blot on the Cape Town Gay Scene. It has been accused too many times in the past of racism. I say close the dump down, we do not need this kind of negative publicity. The Green Point area is not the gay mecca it used to be. It is now more residential and str8. It is time for the gay clubs and bars to think of rezoning and possibly moving to Observatory that is very gay friendly and has lots of vacant ware houses etc (Old Match Factory). The CBD is overpriced. Time for change is NOW!
so says someone too cheap to pay for tax fare to the city from the burbs.
Eye of beholder. I remember as a student frequently being refused entry to Bronx. And I’m white, eh.
I often wondered why that was. Did I look scanky? Did I look too straight? If I was black I would probably have wondered whether it has anything to do with my race… But me wondering didn’t make it so.
The nature of clubs are that you get funny bouncers that go on ego trips for no reason. This is par for the course, unfortunately. And while it is tempting to project our own insecurities when confronted with an irrational situation, jumping to such damning conclusions as are being made in these comments are premature and entirely uncalled for.
Bronx Schmonx. I’ve been to Bronx a couple of times with a circle of mixed colour friends and we’ve never had a problem. Maybe the bar was just overcrowded the night of this “incidence”. In any case, isn’t there a sign that says “Right of Admission Reserved”? Its for our own safety that some people are not allowed in.
I have to agree, its time to expand the love people.. where are the gay bars in the Southern Suburbs?
Bronx should put in some emergency exit signs. I mean, if my boyfriend loses his handbag, all hell’s gonna break lose and I want OUT ASAP!
xx
bronx bar brawl. I have only been to bronx twice and on both nights, all hell broke loose. There was a minor stampede as queens fled the scene of a full-on fists and heels brawl …. the bouncers ran everybody over on their way to breaking it up.
Crazy. I’ve been to gay clubs everywhere and kinda had this romantic notion that we, “the gays”, fall back on witty, bitchy banter to get back at someone who crossed us and not violence.
But hey, on the race thing. I’m black and didnt have an issue the 2 times I was there. But that said, I in no way doubt the possibility that it could happen. I was turned away from Oh! in Melville because I was black. It was nuts to see other people, white people, allowed in while I was told the club was full.
This kinda stuff has no place in South Africa …
**Steps of pulpit**
Disgusting. Racism in SA is disgusting…everyone pretends it does not exist.
The gay scene in SA is still very seperated…like everything else. I dont know how much longer its gonna be tolerated for, before shit hits the fan
I totally agree with what you are saying. whites tend to think it not there.