Liquor panel upholds
ban on ‘ladies night’
at bar
The Honolulu Liquor Commission has upheld its earlier ruling that the "ladies night" policy of a Kapiolani nightclub discriminates against male customers.
The commission levied a $500 fine Thursday against Blue Tropix Restaurant and Nightclub and Bikini's Sportsbar & Grill, 1700 Kapiolani Blvd., reaffirming a decision made at a Nov. 30 hearing.
The discrimination charge was brought after a club radio advertisement promoted "ladies night" when women could enter without paying a cover charge. Liquor investigators visited the club on Aug. 13 and reported seeing employees admitting women free while men were paying.
The "ladies night" policy, which has been used in other bars, violates a liquor rule that prohibits a liquor licensee from actions that withhold or deny the full services and accommodations to anyone on the basis of race, disability, religion or sex. There is a similar prohibition in the state civil rights act.
The commission reopened the case at the request of the club owner, who did not attend the November hearing.
