Kicked Out of a Bar for Wearing a Kilt

**GMan** · 13th February 09, 04:45 AM

I would contact the higher ups for sure.

**TheKiltedCoder** · 13th February 09, 04:48 AM

Hi, Jim,

I'd vote with Mr. Rogerson on this one: when I'm kilted, the only people that have any need to know what's between me and my kilt are me, my wife, and my kilt. Anyone else asks and they get a polite "None of your business."

And if the bouncer would have professed heartburn, I'd have had him get a manager.

Good luck!

Brian

**Howard Clark** · 13th February 09, 05:01 AM

They wouldn't get any of my money, ever. And since you already stated it is not your kind of place, why worry about it at all. Spend your time and your money somewhere else that you actually want to be.

**RockyR** · 13th February 09, 05:57 AM

Originally Posted by jpo

Hey everybody,

I have been a long time lurker here, but have finally registered to share a story of discrimination with you all!

I was heading out for a night of drinking and merriment with friends tonight, and we decided to head to "Kildare's Irish Pub". Not my first choice in drinking establishments, as the place strikes me as fake and the prices are silly high, and also not somewhere I would normally go kilted, as I don't want to sully my kilt (a UK Original) with the artificial atmosphere of the place. But I was already dressed and getting thirsty, so there we are.

Anyway, while having my ID checked by the bouncer he asks if I am wearing anything beneath the kilt. Having gone un-bifurcated for nearly two years now, I answered honestly and without hesitation. Upon hearing that I was going regimental the bouncer informs me that I am violating the dress code and he won't let me in.

There are a few things that anger me about this. First off, female patrons aren't subjected to such prying questions as conditions of entry (not that they should be), so why is it acceptable for me to be subjected to such humiliation? Furthermore, so what if I am wearing the kilt properly? Are the boxers I could be wearing underneath really supposed to prevent me from, for some sick reason, exposing myself to a bar full of drunk patrons?

Furthermore I would expect a website with a kilted man on their website to be more kilt-friendly.

Sigh, such is life. Anyone have a similar experience?
Peace,
jim

Jim...

We've made kilts for several of their staff and for their head chef who appears on 'The 10 Show' on wednesdays (Chef Duffy). Back when they ACTUALLY PLAYED Irish music every weekend, we were there every weekend supporting the local Irish scene. If you tell me which Kildares location and Which Night (the date) you were there, I will raise a bit of a stink.

On a side note, their female staff is going to have the 'kilt' (really any plaid skirt) forced to be a 'UNIFORM' in a couple weeks. They're also encouraging their male staffers to wear a kilt as well. Wonder if that will keep the bouncer in his place.

**Leprechaun 91** · 13th February 09, 07:22 AM

In my occupation, we sometimes have staff invent rules to deal with their own discomfort. This can result in those of us in management having to put out fires.

It sounds to me like the lad at the door was nervous that he might be letting in somebody who could cause a problem. HE would be to blame if something happened. (Or so he fears.)

Would the same bouncer be as nervous about a woman in a skirt. If a female patron were to get drunk and "Flash" the room would he be blamed? Would he have problem with it? (Would we?) certainly not.

He is insecure in his own masculinity and is afraid he will be blamed for the actions of an imagined trouble-maker.

If the management of this establishment cares one with about his business, he will address this immediately and with a few free drinks. I am willing to bet that there is no such policy. It is a training issue for Barney Fife at the door.

**BrettH** · 13th February 09, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by RockyR

Jim...

We've made kilts for several of their staff and for their head chef who appears on 'The 10 Show' on wednesdays (Chef Duffy). Back when they ACTUALLY PLAYED Irish music every weekend, we were there every weekend supporting the local Irish scene. If you tell me which Kildares location and Which Night (the date) you were there, I will raise a bit of a stink.

On a side note, their female staff is going to have the 'kilt' (really any plaid skirt) forced to be a 'UNIFORM' in a couple weeks. They're also encouraging their male staffers to wear a kilt as well. Wonder if that will keep the bouncer in his place.

I love irony. I wonder how many staffers will end up going regimental.

**McFarkus** · 13th February 09, 07:57 AM

from Chicago. That is outrageous. Jim - you wrote a great email. The management definitely needs to know about the incident. I'm guessing there will be one unemployed bouncer.

**beloitpiper** · 13th February 09, 08:16 AM

But according to their jingle, they want to you come to Kildare's! The most authentic Irish pub you'll see! No, they'd never kick out a kiltie!

On a serious note, I bet they've had problems with kilties being...lewd...in the past. However, that does not give the bouncer the right to ask what you wear under your kilt! Plus, what kind of Irish pub has a bouncer?!??!

**castledangerous** · 13th February 09, 09:04 AM

The letter said Feb 13. You were headed out already today for a night of merriment?

**jpo** · 13th February 09, 09:33 AM

Wow, was not expecting to begin such an uprising. This is fantastic.

It was the Newark location. I did e-mail the management, and the e-mail had a much less amused tone to it and was much more irritated and offended. Think righteous indignation.

Anyway, I too suspect that there is no "official" policy about it. It is a college bar and as far as I can tell me and one professor are the only kilt-wearers about. I figure, like it was said, he was just afraid of some unfortunate event coming back to him. Still no excuse but there we are.

As for not spending anymore money or time there, I am honestly glad to finally have an official reason to not like them. I was never a fan but it was always just kinda "I don't like the atmosphere" stuff, and that isn't a good enough reason not to go to a bar with your friends.

I bet the bouncer is catching a lot of crap this morning, as a friend of mine a few hours later (unrelated to our trip there) got her ID confiscated because they thought it was a fake. They would not return it to her, and eventually SHE called the cops on THEM. Fantastic.

Oh, and I didn't say 13th . . . what?

So yeah, no more Kildare's I think.
Peace,
jim