Greenhouse, a trendy nightclub in the Soho district of New York City has been hit with a $1 billion class action lawsuit after some black patrons were denied entry to a party held by urban fiction author Teri Woods to celebrate her new book, "Alibi." She was in tears after realizing that almost her entire 175 guests did not make it pass the club's notorious velvet rope. Many of the partygoers denied entry said this was racially motivated. The club's owner, Barry Mullineaux, said the charges of racism was "all pretty much bogus" though he declined to discuss what happened with the media. According to the NY Daily News, Woods has text messages she says he sent that night showing he was barring people based on appearance -- "Everybody looking at me like this ur people Barry???" read a text message. "I couldn't let in 300lb girls." Mullineaux was asked if he remembered sending the messages and he said "not word for word."
Greenhouse, which opened last year, is known for its tough door policy and the long lines of club-goers waiting to get in.Woods said she arrived at the club to find her all black guests, some of whom reportedly traveled from as far as Virginia, had been denied entry without an explanation. Apparently, some of the guests who were white lawyers were granted entrance, she said.
Clubs can deny entry based on clothing but not race. It is no secret that the feds have gone after clubs in Virginia and Wisconsin that tried to keep black people out. I cannot believe that something of this nature occurred in New York City of all places.
Photo credit: Author Teri Wood, McAlpin/NY Daily News
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