Manhattan nightclub 230 Fifth has been sued after a group of black customers say they were either charged $320 more for entry than white customers or prevented from entering altogether. According to Julia Cook, 29, a bouncer referred to her and her friends as “classless black b*****” and refused to let them in. Cook and three others are suing the club for discrimination.
The lawsuit alleges that on Feb. 13, 2010, the four plaintiffs named in the suit attempted to attend Jermaine Sanders' 27th birthday celebration. Sanders says he called the club earlier in the day to reserve a table, and was told all would be fine if he used the club's bottle service.
According to Sanders, he was told that a single bottle would cover 10 patrons, but when he arrived at the club around 11 p.m. with his brother and two friends, a bouncer stopped them from entering. When Sanders mentioned that his girlfriend was already inside and had purchased a $320 bottle of Grey Goose, the bouncer replied "You didn’t buy it from me,” and forced Sanders to buy another.
Cook showed up half an hour later with her friends, and the bouncer told them the club was at capacity, despite continuing to let white patrons in. When Sanders came downstairs to explain that they were with him, the bouncer reportedly ignored him. When the women complained about the bouncer only letting white patrons in, he allegedly told them "I let enough of you up here tonight.”
The plaintiffs are seeking an unspecified amount of money for damages and discrimination. Club officials would not comment on the lawsuit.
[via NY Daily News]
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