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Recently, there has been a lot of "bouncer activity" at venues, bars and even directed at New York bands playing shows. We just received this disturbing report involving one gay man and a Union Pool bouncer:
Saturday night one my friends, Charlie, was beaten up by a bouncer at Union Pool after a gay dance party there. From all accounts, it was unfounded and out of nowhere, and we shouldn't let this slide!!!Union pool is (for better or for worse) a Williamsburg institution, and it doesn't make sense for them to have bouncers who make a pretty significant portion of their patrons feel unsafe.
Apparently the bouncer became agitated by the crowd who were bemoaning the early closure of the bar. The bouncer put this particular patron in a headlock and started accompanying him out the door, then pushed him to the floor and "beat him bloody." The victim now has "big bruises around his eyes, marks on his neck like he's been strangled, and popped blood vessels in one of his eyes." If you think this is an isolated incident, there was another mention of the bad behavior at this bar when Gridskipper posted on it. A comment on the post, left just last month, reads:
RACIST and HOMOPHOBIC. my gay friends get violently, physically kicked out because they were playing tiny fake maracas by the outside patio door. I'll let you draw the conclusions.
The tipster suggests emailing or calling Union Pool. The contact info is on the front page of their website. Good and bad experiences you've had at Union Pool, or other venues/bars, welcome in the comments. We've called Union Pool for their side of the story but as of yet haven't reached anyone there.
Photo of Union Pool via Williamsburger's Flickr.
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gotta pick ur battles,
I would return and light the place up in more ways than one.
i was there, kid desereved it, was being obnoxious and an asshole to the bouncer when asked to stop
dude, just cause you're an asshole doesn't mean you should bleed for it.
I am so glad I moved out of NYC. Too much of this obnoxious, rude behavior where people think nothing of 'beating up' others, running over people on the street without stopping, and this general thuggish 'guido' attitude that seems to permeate everything unless you are one of the priviledged few who is well connected & making $200,000 a year or more.
was he beat for being gay? or being an obnoxious patron. or did the bouncer beat him just because the bouncer is an ass? Does it have ANYTHING to do with him being gay? Why is it always the kneejerk cry of RACIST and HOMOPHOBE. Did that really have anything to do with it? Or is that just the expected reaction to the incident.
Even so
New York bouncers are angels compared to Miami bouncers, i've been kicked out of many an establishment and they usually do the standard drag you out, youre the patron if they say go you gotta go, tough breaks, but you can always come back tomorrow
also
when was the bar closing? Earlier than 4 am on a saturday is strange, though was it earlier than 4, i mean the law is the law
of course it always sucks, I got beaten numerious times in miami,
see i'm a people person...that drinks.
Until there is conclusive proof one way or the other that this bouncer was attacking this man for unjust cause (whatever it may be), it's plain irresponsible for Gothamist to indirectly contribute to a campaign to have him fired from his job. Jen, you were not there and all your witnesses come from one side of the incident. Gothamist - representing one side of the story - is not in the position to do this. Granted, if anyone is bloodied at Union Pool, there probably was a gross overreaction somewhere along the line and maybe someone should pay for it. But posting UP's contact info with an indirect call for protest is simply unfair to UP ownership and the reported attacker. If this was genuine abuse, let the law, civil courts and UP Management work it out. Also, legally, asking readers, however indirectly, to call and threaten someone's livelihood based on hersay could very well be actionable in a civl court. Watch you backs.
That said, the idea that UP is somehow racist or homophobic itself is just silly. I'm in there a lot and the staff is as racially and sexually varied as the customers. Whatever this guy did or did not do, judging UP as either racist or homophobic because one guy - who happens to be gay - got beaten up by a bouncer is an extremely knee-jerk, one-dimensional way of thinking.
The patron, very likely, has a entitlement issues. He wasn't beaten for being gay, he was beaten for being a douche bag.
While he should not have been beaten bloody, when you're asked to leave, leave.
dude, just cause you're an asshole doesn't mean you should bleed for it.
No, but we've already discovered there's more to the story, haven't we?
the bouncer's job isn't to beat ANYBODY up.
stupid thuggy bullshit.
and i hate union pool anyway.
union pool's uncool patrons would be a much more accurate generalization, albeit still a generalization.
is this really the proper channel to air out these charges? so this guy makes a charge of a HATE CRIME and doesn't call the NYPD, the ACLU or a lawyer....he just contacts Gothamist and you print up a potentially libelous story.
seriously, i don't know who is more loathsome, you or some asshole playing the gay card.
Gee, this is why you come back.
and with friends, Smith and Wesson.
sounds like this union pool place hires assholes and it's not just the bouncer.
it was not a gay bashing.
i was next to the dude who got thrown out. he was drunk and yelling some pretty lame things at the bouncer. the bouncer tried to escort him out and the guy resisted. the bouncer should've stopped before anything more serious, and i blame the bouncer for punching him, but the bouncer did not start it off and the bouncer didn't say anything homophobic.
as a queer, i find the charge of gay bashing really serious. it pisses me off that people just through the charge around like it's nothing. really, a little balanced reporting would be great.
No one deserves to be beaten like that, even if they started it.
A bouncers job is to diffuse situations like that, not fucking cause them. End of story. The bouncer fucked up.
I have had almost twenty years working in bars and clubs, and have had everything in the book yelled at me - racist, homophobic, whatever. Nowhere is it permissible, appropriate, or legal, to punch somebody for being obnoxious. Believe me, if it were the case, I would have done it. As for the homophobia, looks like that is a different issue. In any case, the bouncer was in the wrong, unless the patron had assaulted him first. Even in that case, it is only appropriate to use equal force, never to beat someone bloody. While it may be heavy handed to give out UP's information, it is definitely the establishments responsibility to maintain a safe and orderly alchohol serving establishment.
Hey, Union Pool,
Why you gotta beat people up? That's not nice.
I'd pull the contact info. I guess the damage is done, but Gothamist shouldn't put themselves in that position...
Go to a doctor, take pictures, retain a lawyer (they are free) and file a claim.
The bouncer typically does not work for the establishment. He is usually a "freelancer" who works for a security company. Regardless, the injured party should speak to management, request the name of the manager that night and the name of the offending bouncer. With that info, each can be named personally in the lawsuit (if it goes that far), and most likely bring about swift, radical changes at that bar.
Why pull the contact info? whY the paranoia?
You mean all of us using the internet would have to go the extra step to Google "union pool"?
So, they saved us that extra step, what's the big deal????????????????????????????????????
Shame on Gothamist for posting such a one-sided slam against Union Pool.
The bar was closing. Leave. Do not antagonize bouncers. Head directly to exit.
Assholes come in all colors and sexual orientations.
Why does Union pool bouncers beat up patrons?
Why does Union pool employees and management allow this?
Why are they racists?
Even if the drunk dumbass was being obnoxious, getting beat up for it by the bouncer is unacceptable. However, this guy should be talking to a personal injury lawyer, not calling out homophobia/hate crime via email petitions.
I was there on sunday and the white dude at the door was a total dick. started with my friend because he thought he was making fun of him (which he was NOT. wasn't making fun of anyone for that matter)
Bouncers supposed to diffues problems not be part of them.
Whether or not this is an issue of homophobia (though given other available anecdotes of UP bouncers, it seems like a distinct possibility), the fact is that this bouncer used an outrageously innapropriate level of force in the situation. As the gentleman above who says he's been in security for 20 years mentioned, it is NEVER appropriate or legal to punch a patron, no matter how obnoxious said patron is being.
Union Pool has to realize that its customers are not going to stand for unnecessarily brutal security, and while the victim pressing charges is obviously the first and most necessary step, outreach from the Williamsburg community (gay and straight alike) letting UP know that we care about our safety is important too.
In short, if you decide to write an email or call, make sure you tell them that you're writing not only to defend the gay community, but everyone who goes to Union Pool and feels like having such volatile security is a threat to their safety.
"The white dude at the door was a total dick..."
Was he or did his skin color just make you hypersensitive to his presence?
"Union Pool has to realize that its customers are not going to stand for unnecessarily brutal security."
This is not true.
Why does Union Pool management condone brutal security practices?
It is articles like these that clearly demonstrate the yawning gap between responsible professional journalists and bloggers. While Gothamist is, of course, entitled to produce content like this, the lack of research and the obvious presence of bias sets it apart from the balanced, careful approach that a trained reporter would have used.
The attached call to arms (the contact info) should be removed in case the bouncer is smart enough to have an attorney and in case his attorney wastes time on the internet... like me.
Unlikely, but for your own sake, take the last paragraph down.
Why? Because the bouncer may be guilty?
no justice, no peace.
I never knew putting up contact information was illegal for a bar in Williamsburg. don't they want free publicity? Isn't this a site about NYC nightlife? Isn't a bar part of NYC nightlife?
Assuming the bouncer DOES have access to an attorney (which he should, because it seems like a field a person would likely need one in), exactly what could he sue for in this situation? There is no personal information posted here, or any info at all that isn't readily available on the internet, nor is it libel, since the action is question did in fact occur. I'm not sure how suggesting that people reach out and let Union Pool know how they feel about something they feel is unfair is possibly illegal.
I believe from the fans of Law & Order, the judge would say, you're reaching counselor.
#30
here's a good point: the entire post is IRRESPONSIBLE.
honestly, right next to the stick with the bouncer's head, so should be Jen Carlson's. She should lose her job over such a piece of shit posting such as this.
Being served alcohol in a bar is not a right; it's a privilege. While I don't condone violence, the sense of entitlement I'm reading here from the "communities" is tiresome at best.
Ah bouncers, the losers of the nightlife scene.
men with little cocks and brains that love to beat people up.
I never knew there was a bouncer fan boi club.
I *HATEHATEHATE* Union Pool. I hate it. I only go there if I have friends playing there and they need bodies in the audience.
That said, this is irresponsible beyond believe of Gothamist to do anything more than report the *allegation* or frame the story in any terms except "alleged".
This is total bs, and I wonder what the true agenda is here? Whose friend's bar needs the business?
Are you going to do a story about Studio B not trying to police its patrons who run amuck through the neighborhood, breaking bottles, having fights on the corner, and not paying their bands? No, of course not. Studio B is cool. Union Pool is no longer cool, apparently.
If this truly happened I'll be the first one to call (not that it matters, because I don't go there anyway). but i smell a rat.
well, it's not like we have any peter jennings disciples here running gothamist. i mean, really. when your blog portfolio consists of writings about really shitty bands, do you really expect any sort of (journalistic) integrity?
having said, let's call off the bouncer witch hunt and let UP handle their business, let the alleged victim handle his, and the rest of us can handle more reasonably priced libations elsewhere if we so choose.
Ok, so this happened fairly recently (She may come and post this first hand). My friend and her date (a smallish black man) were dancing, and the white military-ish bouncer suddenly started accusing her date of peeing behind some curtain. He was unreasonably angry, and wouldn't leave them alone.
They were definitely thinking it was a race issue. This bouncer preceeded to make them and others around them miserable until they left. She said they asked the door man (who was really nice) what the bouncer's problem was, and he sighed and replied, "I can't do anything about him." It was evidently one of the more bizarre incidents.
As far as Studio B, their bouncers are either hit or miss (no pun intended). I just can't deal with the $4 tiny plastic cups of seltzer water.
here's a good point: the entire post is IRRESPONSIBLE.
honestly, right next to the stick with the bouncer's head, so should be Jen Carlson's. She should lose her job over such a piece of shit posting such as this.
I guess you must be that military bouncer guy.
John Rambo was the bouncer?
then we's in trouble because it's never over.
#38: "right next to the stick with the bouncer's head"
why would a meatheaded bouncer call for his own firing? come on, think about it, genius.
That's Mr. Meatheaded, steroid using, tiny cock, Rambo bouncer to you.
the parties are all handling the matter privately, and the onus is NOT on gothamist to rally the battle cry to harrass the owners of union pool.
without facts, a story shouldn't be reported. heresay makes for a non-story.
thank you.
In New Orleans, bouncers ask you once, and only once, to leave, then proceed to gang-beat the fuck out of you. It sucks and it isn't fair, but you learn pretty quick that when they say go, you just go.
I wasn't there last night but I was there once and the bartender called me a faggot to his friend when he thought I wasn't listening...I was, they are assholes.
Regardless of the bouncer's motivations, this should not have happened. You're a fucking bouncer. You work in a bar, have the expectation that you will encounter drunken assholes (gay or not, it does not matter). You should be able to deal with those assholes without beating them up, otherwise ... you're just a fucking thug.
The bouncer is a thug, and an idiot. The guy he beat up sounds like he is too. The bouncer should be fired, and possibly charged with assault, he did the wrong thing. The guy he beat up sounds like a dickhead, that's his problem.
Whether he acted like a dick or not is not the issue. A bouncer is meant to enforce peace and order within a bar when drunken buffoons get out of hand. The bouncer did not do that. He created more chaos and seriously cause far too much harm to the victim. Excessive behavior needs to be stop which is why many of his friends have stepped up their game through the internet. they didnt want to see this brushed aside as just another drunken night. action needed to be taken.
my friends and i go to union pool fairly often and while the bar staff, some of whom seem to have worked there for a long time, are good, i had the same experience as commenter #23 on sunday night: the guy on the door was being a total dick. our solution? we turned around, went to pete's candy store instead, and had a great time. i usually enjoy union pool but don't need the drama in order to have a few drinks.
maybe gothamist should have been more careful about how they worded this post but they have every right to report on these incidents and they did give union pool the right of reply.
unfortunately, where there's smoke there's fire and i suspect union pool might have a problem with its bouncers.
worst president ever.
Wow. This seems to have been blown completely out of proportion. I was there. Not only did I not here any gaybashing, I saw the patron grab the crotch of the bouncer when he tried to escort the guy out of the room. I don't know about you'all, but if some drunk guy grabbed my crotch, not playfully I might add, I'd be irate. Regardless of everything else, I saw the guy who was kicked out afterwards & he looked just fine. I seriously doubt that he was beaten. I certainly didn't see any blood. Seems like The gothamist got this one wrong again.
I was defiently there saturday night. I did see the person who was suposedly beaten to a bloody pulp. There was no blood, no bruises or cuts. i agree with everyone who beleives a bouncer should never hit or hurt a patron. I never condone violence. However when a bar patron or anyone grabs a bouncer's ball's, it is kind of stupid to think someone is not gonna be upset. Drunk people do not have the best sensibilities when their judgment is impaired. Yes, Union Pool is filled with Doushebags. It is also filled with alot good people including it's the staff who are not racist homophobes. My freinds and I have been going there for years. The crowd is very mixed, Gays, Straights, different ethnicities and flat out different crowds. No matter where you go, there are assholes of every degree and creed. No matter what, this incedent is like a car accident. Everyone has a different perspective and account of what transpired. The bouncers account is going to be different from guy he is said to have beat up. Of course every friend is going to rally for his or her buddy. Thats what freinds are for. But just keep in mind, no one is ever going to really know what really transpired. Every one should have a open mind until the smoke clears.
Union Pool, why are you covering this up with your flunkies?
Why do you hire people who are prone to violence?
And, racist, too? why?
Having only been to Union Pool once, which was Friday night, I wouldn't know how many bouncers there may be at the place, and I wouldn't know if the dude at the door on Friday was the bouncer in question... but the bouncer at the door on Friday night was arguably the rudest asshole I'd encountered at a bar in quite a long time. He spent his time cursing at my friend, and anyone else standing on the sidewalk. Bellowing "Get the fuck off the sidewalk" doesn't really entice one to go inside. For the record, we were stone cold sober... no drunken loitering, no sir.
i saw the kid, charlie, walking around williamsburg earlier today... and looks like he got a good beating. i feel sorry for him. fuck union pool. nobody should get abused/hit/beat up when he or she is supposed to feel safe while having fun with friends at a bar. AND shame on the management.
Ok how about this then: my friends and i set up this women's arm-wrestling competition in the back room. Crowd is big and totally cool. I'm the referee.
There's exactly one black person in the crowd, a friend of mine, who's sitting on the stairs to the balcony along with a ton of other people, all white.
Older nondescript white dude with beard comes plowing up the stairs to get to the balcony, elbowing my friend hard enough to bring out a 'hey hey easy man' from him. White guy goes back down the stairs, gets bouncer. Bouncer throws my friend out.
The only black guy there. The place was packed. It was appalling.
Weirdest part of the night: afterwards i'm telling this guy about it and he says 'oh yeah i used to work here, they're totally racist, this happens all the time.'
?!!
My friends and I brought that place a ton of business that night with the event, and they throw my friend out for doing nothing but sitting amidst a crowd of people. People who witnessed the whole thing said 'yeah, it was weird. the guy definitely targeted your friend'.
Not sure what to do about this.
To be clear, the bouncer threw my other 2 friends out with him, both white, one of whom is an NYC forensics investigator. These guys aren't slouches.
Let me rephrase that: they left with him. They only 'threw out' one fellow, the black one.