Williamsburg Bar Hugs Doesn't Want Certain Patrons

I am on who wears baggy clothes and twists his fitted cap. I have a Master's degree, a great career, make over $80k a year (I'm not a rapper), live with my girl of 5 years and our dog, are active members of park's community group, and enjoy many of the finer things our society offers.... And I often find that upon first meeting, people look at me sideways, are afraid to speak to me, or just won't take me seriously. Fuck you. I'm educated, have a job (most likely am happier with my gig than you are and make more money than you), I vote responsibly, pay taxes, read the paper, and get involved. Take your prejudices and stick them up your asses. You are wrong.

I dont know if you all have noticed or not but there's a reason that so many of you think its a gay bar (well besides the pink neon HUGS sign)- could it be the fact that they have a ton of Gay parties now? if you go in there on the weekends there are a TON of gay dudes, so this policy may not be for black people- this dress code would keep out all of the staten island, jersey and Long Island douchebags that are the types that are likely to cause a scene when immersed in a group of gay people.

i agree with the bar owner a few comments above- I think many people are jumping to the conclusion of racism, when it is more likely that they are trying to keep out "hoodlums" or "thugs". and last time i knew they came in all colors.

and jen carlson- before you wrote this, you should have gotten some back story of why this is happening- one phone call does not equal reporting.

Yo' way to go. Don't need none of those gangbangers.

A bar fight with swinging furniture and broken bottles is bad enough, without worrying about guns going off.

I got refused entrance at Bowl Mor in USQ for wearing shorts (cute shorts, not cut-off sweatpants or anything) and I'm a 26 year-old girl. Never going back there again (overpriced and lame anyway). Any place that's more concerned about its image than about customer service doesn't really need my money.

Oh, and by the way. If you're 26, you're not a girl anymore. You're a woman.

Aw, honey, don't fret about it. It's just that Bowl-Mor likes to keep out the hookers.

Sounds like you're bitter and just lashing out, instead of looking in the mirror and self-critiquing. By preserving their image, they are providing customer service, service for those customers who agree with enforcing standards.

i am a bar owner in Brooklyn. i agree that this sign seems extreme. the sign depicts hoodlums and not Blacks/Hispanics or other minorities. every bar has a code of dress which keeps people out that do not interact well with others. this is not a color issue, its a type of person issue. i believe anyone who has labeled this sign racist is jumping to conclusions and not taking the time to realize all the variables that go into the clientele of a bar. although i do not know the intentions of the owners of this bar, all too often people get riled up without just cause. i think this could be the case.

100% in agreement with your reasoning. Very sensible response.

A quick google of "DJ David Serrano" shows that you're not really all that hispanic in the eyes of most people. Yeah, your last name is there, but that's about it.

I am actually Hispanic, with a name and skin color that represents it. And I don't wear any of those things, but I am willing to bet if I did, I'd get the boot faster than some white hipster kid from Iowa wearing a flat brimmed Cubs hat ironically.

whle i agree that it is completely racist, i suspect that the real purpose is to keep drug dealers out...

If there isn't any money involved for him, then Al Sharpton isn't going anywhere near it. I loved when he was on a show talking about how he was supporting poor people and he didn't have a job. He said he was poor himself and only helped those who were poor. The announcer asked him about his watch and suit. $14,000 Rolex watch and $5,000 suit. Too funny.

That sign was there to keep out thugs and the same thing is showing up everywhere. It's not racism. Black people wear hoodies,long white tees, timberlands, and baggie jeans. White people do too. They are USUALLY thugs. They are not welcome. No problem-don't go or dress appropriately. Not rocket science.

Fitted hats?

ANYONE who thinks this sign is racist IS A RACIST themselves, because you automatically assume that a person that wears these clothes is a minority. First of all, its a HIPSTER bar, therefore, they want HIPSTERS patronizing it. Last time I checked, HIPSTERS came in ALL different colors as do THUGS. I am hispanic and DO NOT wear baggy jeans or any of the other attire listed and I've been to HUGS MANY times without incident. You're right, they don't want a certain type there, THUGS. But it has NOTHING to do with someone's color. And if you believe that ONLY BLACKS or HISPANICS are THUGS then YOU ARE A RACIST!

are you serious? it's obvious that the sign is alluding to a black stereotype. you've got to be pretty naive to think that it's an inclusive style.

also, love the cryptic DJ handle.

oh i always thought hipsters were some sort of aerobics instructors or people that were really good at the macarena dance.

i think the sign is fine. it's their establishment and they have the right to refuse service to people. more bars should be like this. if you dress like a piece of shit go to a piece of shit bar.

the knee-jerk hipster-hate is embarrassing at this point. still angry because the cheerleaders wouldn't let you sit at their lunch table, or what? talk about lumping a group of people together and labeling them...

What's embarrassing is any adult who dresses like Jughead from the Archie Comics. They deserve all the derision that wit and imagination can devise.

BTW, 95 South on Franklin Ave., a restaurant/club where I have never seen a white patron, has a similar dress code posted at the entrance. Folks who want to spend a Saturday night not surrounded by gangsta wannabes aren't necessarily racist--or even necessarily white.

Also, I defy anybody to tell a gay hipster bar from a straight hipster bar. Aren't gay hipsters guys who sleep together without removing their tidy white American Apparel underwear? Gay bars used to have names like Spike, Lure, Ramrod, Rawhide, Eagle. 'Hugs' sounds like a diaper. You probably couldn't get laid there without showing the play list on your iphone first.

Looks like someone's had problems with "thugs" causing trouble in their bar.

Don't know what to say. The sign screams racist (though white people dress like this too), but at the same time I bet it's solved the problem.

no "baggie" jeans must mean no pants made out of ziploc baggies. which means 'baggy' jeans are OK...i can get with that

c'mon guys, you can't even get this to 100 comments? Back in my day trolling meant something...

Maybe they should change their logo, Put a "T" in an x'ed out circle in front, maybe hang a dixie flag..

This is literally the first location in Williamsburg I am intrigued enough to visit. Success.

BAD HUGZ! No dessert for you.

No Niggaz!! and the niggaz would know who they are too.

Honestly, I don't think they are trying to be racist, just trying to keep hoodlum shit out of the bar. I totally understand.

WORD TO YO MUTHAFUCKA

If hip-hop culture has no qualms about being homophobic, it makes some sense for a queer bar to try to put off the more thug paraphernalia sporting dudes... esp. if there's a cover charge... save everybody the drama

They're already discriminating against the next wave of hipsters.

Actually, inoyourider, even better, it's a PRIVATE bar! they can put up whatever they want.

by the way

"Dress Code: no sneakers, no jerseys, no baseball caps, no doo-rags, no workboots"

care to guess where that is from?

40/40 club webpage.

owned by RAPPER jay-z.

Right, I meant to say public.

Right this HAS to be racist doesn't it?

After all that's the only way black people dress right?

It's a public bar and their right.

Other clubs have dress codes, this is theirs.

Most of the stuff they describe looks shitty anyways.

It is fairly clear who they wish to exclude!

The trendy restaurants plagued with small children should try it:

No binkies!

No diapers!

No one under 2'3"!

No illiterates!

No thumb-suckers!

LOL

word to Trilby!

I like how you think.

So do Fedoras count as fitted hats? Perhaps they should be more specific and bar fitted baseball caps. Otherwise, they will discriminate against a large portion of the so-called hipster population.

Wait what about the 40th street bars and restaurants that require a jacket? Is that racist? Or classist? Isn't that the same as saying 'no middle class whites, black, etc'? Why can't a private place just not want a certain class element? It's a dress code that says 'no ghetto thugs' not 'no blackies'. Those douchebag white Long Island guys can't get in either under this dress code. If you want to go to a bar that is ok with that you have your option, this is America after all.

Not that's Id go to Hugs anyway, since I'm not the specific type of douchebag they are targeting either.

update: the sign has been removed.

i really wish you'd said "this place has been removed," but the sign's a start.

With a quick glance down the page, there are at least four reviews on the linked Yelped page that were written by black people. They range from three stars to five. Obviously those reviewers have had no problem getting past the door, and no problems once they were in.

Now, ask the management of nearby Greenpoint nightspots Production Lounge and Red Star Bar why they both stopped having any hip hop shows. Short answer: too many violent incidents involving guns and knives.

I was just at an event at Production Lounge, though, a week or so ago. Everyone in the band that was playing was black. Yes, black people are welcome.

This sign, and the booking decisions of those places, aren't discriminating against any race. They're moves against a particular scene that some venues find to be more trouble than it's worth.

Perhaps the Williamsburg natives shouldve put up a sign on the Brooklyn bound tracks at 14th and 1st that said:

NO skinny jeans

NO drunken disrespectful behavoir

NO vans/converse

NO living in our warehouses

NO brakeless fixed gear bikes.

Fuck this bar, it's owners and it's patrons.

you don't have to go there. it is clear they don't want black people there, ok, certain black people. they are a weak and gross place. at first sight i thought it was the jews they didn't want. let them be swallowed by their rent.

NO TRUCKER HATS

NO ELVIS GLASSES

NO IRONIC TEES

NO TIGHT PANTS

NO FLIPFLOPS

PROPER ID OVER 21

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO BE SELECTIVE

NO DOUCHEBAGS FROM OHIO

once i was in hugs wearing just a red thong and a bathrobe - nobody seemed to have a problem with that

oh how i hate ohio state

Why always make fun of Ohio? Really? Can some one answer this one? Have you ever been to Ohio?

yes, that's why it is made fun of.

OK, I think they are trying to keep out 2 types of customers, the wiggers and the *iggers. aka most of Staten Island.

Timberlands are considered "dress" shoes in some circles. OK, I'll say it again, Asians.

So what kind of bar is this? what is the context?? report dammit, don't just throw shit up there!..oh wait, it's jen carlson

I know.

I don't see how this is discrimination. You can always go home and change. Is it really so different from "no shirt, no shoes, no service"?

I remember when Timberlands were only worn by outdoorsy types rather than as some kind of urban fashion statement.

My goodness. Honestly, most of you folks seem to adhere to the stereotype that ALL black and Hispanic people dress this way.

If so, y'all need to get out more.

Agreed! Oh by the way, the black/latino people you work with do not count as friends. Sorry.

ANYONE who thinks this sign is racist IS A RACIST themselves, because you automatically assume that a person that wears these clothes is a minority. First of all, its a HIPSTER bar, therefore, they want HIPSTERS patronizing it. Last time I checked, HIPSTERS came in ALL different colors as do THUGS. I am hispanic and DO NOT wear baggy jeans or any of the other attire listed and I've been to HUGS MANY times without incident. You're right, they don't want a certain type there, THUGS. But it has NOTHING to do with someone's color. And if you believe that ONLY BLACKS or HISPANICS are THUGS then YOU ARE A RACIST!

I love how everyone assumes they just put this sign up arbitrarily one day out of some groundless, blind disdain for young black males. Anyone bother to check and see if there is an actual reason they implemented this policy? Like maybe a few too many knuckleheads from the hood started one too many fights and they decided enough was enough? Curbs on sports jerseys, baseball caps, hoodies, wearing certain colors, etc. are in place at a lot of clubs and bars FOR A REASON.

I see nothing wrong with the sign, the bar has a right to keep certain elements out in order to avoid problems. Why do you all assume it's about race? Plenty of white kids try to dress like thugs cause they think it makes them look cool. If I were a bar owner I wouldn't want thugs of any color patronizing my place either.

Yeah, if only there was a term for discriminating against someone for others peoples actions....

Bad apples ruin the barrel. Semantics aren't to blame.

Black hipsters, and the dishwasher allowed. All other darkies need not apply.

Exactly.

WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE CLASSIST!! AND PROBABLY RACIST!!

They should just come out and say that you need to have went to a east coast liberal arts college to hang out here. Preferably one of the Seven Sisters - bonus if you're male.

You mean "need to have gone..."

a group should pay that place a visit Improv everywhere style. I like to bust chops wearing my nerdiest LLBean clothes and wait in line to a club. I get the "sorry, private party" line almost every time.

no hoodies? are you serious?

that uh... gets rid of a lot of the white hipster clientele as well.

idiots.

Where's Al Sharpton? I'm not even trying to be snarky...he should really get involved with this!

Also, if you want to get involved beyond an internet comment, give them a call: (718) 599-5959

Aw, that's nothing. You've got to come to DC where businesses REALLY know how to discriminate.

From Lucky Strike Bowling Alley.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sbma44/68847229/

Oh my god- those rules are SOOO strict!

It's almost they want you to dress and act like a normal person instead of an idiot.

"Hispanic Cracka Nigga even yangs wearin white tee"

White tees are a celebration of diversity!

i smell forthcoming violence!

I don't see what all the hub-bub is about.

If you insist on dressing like a low-level criminal wannabe with outstanding warrants, prepared to be treated as such.

Just as if you insist on dressing as a trust-fund hipster, prepare to be treated as such.

oh, and las2381: if your friend was really barred from sutton place for no reason other than his ethnicity, there's ways of striking back -- a hidden camera video sting posted on youtube, followed up by a lawsuit, would be the first things that come to mind.

Hugs, I'm really happy for you, and I'mma let you finish

but this is the most overtly racist piece of shit thing of ALL TIME

OF ALL TIME

baggie?

MPD clubs might be able to claim a "no-sneakers", upscale dress code, but this is different.

If you've ever been inside Hugs, you'd know they have nothing close to a "dress code." It's not a fancy bar, it's full of kids in streewear, and plenty of hoodies (come on, it's next to American Apparel, h-ster love hoodies).

It's also next to Sea, which claims a largely black and Hispanic clientele.

Nothing says "We're scared little white boys" like a "You're not welcome here" sign.

Drunk white guys get into fist fights. Drunk gangsta wannabes get kicked out and come back to shoot the bouncer and the girl he kicked it to who wasn't impressed with his gold teeth. If you dress like a thug, you should expect to be treated as such.

Oh yeah, that shit happens allll the time around here. So tired of it.

HUGS: NO THUGS

I can understand the long white tee there really funny looking

I'm sure this IS a racial thing, but there are those hilarious Greenpoint Polish wiggers that hang around these parts, too.

Uh, not sure why this is news other than it is in Williamsburg? Lots of bars and clubs and amusement parks have dress codes like this, for better or worse.

I like the "No Pinocchio Pants" sign at Connolly's in Rockaway Beach:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/funlap/3735066293/

I like how it's no "fitted" hats.

I'll willing to be an ironic "#1 grandma" hat from Buffalo Exchange would be just fine in that place.

[Background]

Franchize! In my white tee

Yep in my white tee [12x]

[Hook:]

I slang in my white tee

I bang in my white tee

All in the club spittin game in my white tee

I bling in my white tee

serve feigns in my white tee

fuck up throwback I look clean in my white tee

I slang in my white tee

I bang in my white tee

All in the club spittin game in my white tee

I bling in my white tee

serve feigns in my white tee

fuck up throwback i look clean in my white tee

[Verse 1:]

Step on the scene with some green and some hard white work

Real clean fresh jeans and a all white shirt

We all get money and we all smoke

Hit da dirt one squirt will leave all yall merk

Cause im fresh in my white tee they glance at my white tee

and I got the hat that match my pants and my white tee

Whoever that you might see

I know they got a white tee

Uncle brother sister mother daddy or your wifey

Hanes or fruit ofloom be tha

Name of my white tee

I gotta change man its a stain on my white tee

Lames in a white tee I bring the pain in my white tee

Hispanic Cracka Nigga even yangs wearin white tee

Hit the club deep and we all got a white tee

A throw back no that hell naw it'on 'cite me

You dont need no throwback cause you will be set on your white

Tee you can get a circle or a V-neck on ur white tee

[Hook:]

I slang in my white tee

I bang in my white tee

All in the club spittin game in my white tee

I bling in my white tee

serve feigns in my white tee

fuck up throwback I look clean in my white tee

I slang in my white tee

I bang in my white tee

All in the club spittin game in my white tee

I bling in my white tee

serve feigns in my white tee

fuck up throwback i look clean in my white tee

[Verse 2:]

I hit the mall in my white tee

Oh I think they like me or they like them diamonds cause they shine so brightly

Yeah you know i how i be under my tee it the wifey

Fo-fo tucked titely

For them bussas who think im soft nigga come and try me

They gon find your body

White tees in the club while we drinking on bacardi

fo-get throwbacks white tees in tha party

Now dont get me started gotta try bacardi

Drama we avoid it

Everyone wear white tees cause they can afford it

Girls wear a white tee, boys wear a white tee

playaz in the trap now I bet they got a white tee

champs got them white tees, LA foot got them white tee

When we hit the club, they look at them white tees

Oh they buy clean white shoes fresh jeans

But on that boy shirt what it say not a thingg

[Hook:]

I slang in my white tee

I bang in my white tee

All in the club spittin game in my white tee

I bling in my white tee

serve feigns in my white tee

fuck up throwback I look clean in my white tee

I slang in my white tee

I bang in my white tee

All in the club spittin game in my white tee

I bling in my white tee

serve feigns in my white tee

fuck up throwback i look clean in my white tee

I gotta couple throwbacks it just I choose not to wear them

White tee extravganza nigga like a foot locker sale

But think if i don' fail but my paper stacking a lot

Or you can throw back this

but Partner check my nine

And im a ghetto gangsta white tee laws gone hate ya

In the street gangs with a little fame females gonna chase ya

Can't escape from this white shit it done covered the map

Like crack been the in the 80's and it took over the trap

Come to the hood you can find me trappin in my white tee

Standing with a full grill nigga might try me know sho how i be still in my white tee

Rock jeans tiger green yeah hos like me

Haters try and bite me

Some try to dislike me

Became a rich shawty and the feds try to indite me

Yep in my white tee [12x]

Yep

That's three scrolls of the mouse wheel I'll never get back.

Yep.

What is a "fitted hat"?

aka "ball cap" obviously not intended towards ironic headwear and the like

My son just schooled me about this! There are two kinds of baseball caps: fitteds, and the other kind with the plastic piece in the back that makes the hat adjustable.

So I finally understand why guys leave the big shiny size sticker on the bill. They want you to know they're rocking fitteds.

Wondered that myself. Apparently it just means a hat - assuming in this case a baseball cap - that's fitted to your hat size.

All you hipsters sporting your Squidbillies-inspired trucker hats will still be in like flynn.

What if you're wearing stuff on the list, but, like, y'now, ironically? Like with rainbow suspenders 'n stuff?

No "Mork from Orks"

I think they mean no doo-rags.

That's a nice sign and immma let you finish but those white only signs were a lot worse.

"we have the right to be selective in applying our rules"

I wouldn't call it a race thing. There are plenty of pimp-stepping white boys in BK that subscribe to those atrocious thugly stylings.

I always walked by that place and assumed it was a gay bar. No lie.

what the hell is that supposed to mean?

it means that aside from being blatantly racist, i'm right within their desired clientele and that sign tells me i can't come in, either.

so... they're idiots, and racists. what about that statement offends you?

sounds homophobic to me.

I'm gay, and I assumed it was a gay bar as well when I heard the name. I mean, come on--Hugs?

It's called Hugs and has a pink neon sign, you do the math.