Review The Downtown Sports Bar - Raleigh

I would not let any of my friends go to this place it is a horrible place. I went there this past weekend with a group of friends and we were escorted to the back of the bar and kicked out because we were not drinking. But we all had receipts showing that we had been getting drinks. The owner came to us and basically said "this is my bar I can do whatever I want get out of my bar". We were all black and there was definitely others in the bar that were not drinking. But what do I know. The bad thing though is that the officer who escorted us away said that he had seen this happen before and he couldn't do anything because that was the owner.

I'm visiting Raleigh and in the near future and am planning to buy a house here in the very near future. Thanks for the commentary about the racist incidents at the Downtown Raleigh Sports Bar & Grill. I really love to frequent sports bars but will make sure never to patronize this one as I am a proud African-American who detests racism and will never patronize a place that others have detailed racist incidents about.. If anyone can get the home addresses of the managers, bouncers and owner of this racist establishment to start I would love for all of us conscientious persons to flood tens of thousands of letters to these foul individuals that their actions will not be tolerated. Formal protests in front of the establishment would also make the owner, manager and bouncers feel heat for their actions. The managers, bouncers and owners are perpetuating their racism because they feel it won't come back to them in anyway I would love for them to be made an example of how America no longer tolerates this nonsense and now they have to pay a heavy toll for their foul actions.

As the story begins, on last Saturday night around 12:30am, I and 2 other friends went to Downtown Sports Bar and Grill off of Glennwood Avenue. The night got interesting as soon as we got to the door, and the bouncer told us "you need a membership to come in tonight, I've never seen you here before." My friend and I looked at each other in curiosity, knowing that the establishment was a bar and not a club, and that people in line before us walked right in after showing their ID. The only difference between those people and my friends and I was our race. Still, we stood at the door in bewilderment asking "What?" as he further tried to explain that we weren't going to be able to come in because of our "non-member" status. However, as he was explaining this, a police officer walked up to where he was standing to tell him something unrelated. As soon as he caught sight of the officer beside him, he said "Never mind, y'all go ahead." This was the first interesting ordeal of the night, but not the last. We were downstairs for all of ten minutes, when my two friends dispersed. My friend Chris went to the bathroom, and my friend Kristin went upstairs to get some fresh air. Only a few seconds after they left, what appeared to be a bartender came from behind the bar to clean drinks off of one of the tall bar tables that was near me. After he cleaned the table, it looked as if he was headed back behind the bar when he came up to me and said "Either buy a drink or leave right now." Again shocked, I replied "I'm just waiting for my friend to come back from the bathroom." He responded, "I don't care, get a drink or leave right now." I said "Okay" and began texting. He walked away from me, then went and sat with his back to the bar as he stared me down. Being non-confrontational, I looked towards the bathroom, waiting to see my friend come out so that we could leave. I also took notice of how many of the people surrounding the bar and the club area didn't have drinks in their hands. I felt as if I was singled out. The common denominator, again, was that I was the only black person around. After staring me down for about 30 seconds, he walked back over and said "Are you going to buy a drink, or are you going to leave?" I replied, "As soon as my friend comes from the bathroom." Before I cold utter another word, he grabbed my right wrist and my left arm and threw them behind my head in an effort to constrain me, although I was speaking to him a calm and non-aggressive tone and didn't once even gesture. He then used excessive force to push me through the crown and out of the club while I was still in this "headlock" of sorts, before pushing me out of the front door. As soon as he grabbed me, I let my body go limp because with the degree of force he was already using, I didn't want him to think I was trying to fight back. I accepted that he was on an ego-trip, and let him guide me through the club in this position before pushing me out. It was one of the worst and most shockingly disappointing experiences of my life. After telling my cousin about the instance the next day, she told me of how earlier, she came to the door with four of her friends and the bounder told her "I've never seen y'all before, you can't come in." Confused, she asked "What?" and he replied "You're not allowed in here because I've never seen you before." My cousin didn't feel like arguing or being somewhere she didn't feel welcome so she and her friends simply walked away. Still, the only common denominator in her and my own dealings with the bar was one single factor: race. I am deeply shocked and saddened by the blunt and undeniable segregation takes place in this establishment. It ridiculous that this still happens, but even more ridiculous that it's happening in Raleigh, North Carolina, one of the fastest growing and, increasingly, most diverse cities in America. I will never come here again, and would suggest that those who like to support racially inclusive businesses and likes to hang out in diverse environments, steer clear.

Some time ago last fall (2011), I visited the downtown sports bar and grill on glenwood and entered the venue without any issues. I was wearing a fitted baseball cap, similar to a majority of the individuals in the venue and was there to have a drink while watching a college football game that night. No sooner than than when I sat down, I was approached by an individual, telling me to take off my hat or leave. Without questioning him, I took my hat off. I thought at first that this was just an egocentric bouncer who wanted to enforce his own set of rules, different from everyone else who worked there. Once he walked away, I proceeded to put my hat back on. Within minutes, the same individual returned to me and told me to leave. Confused, I pointed to him at a number of individuals, most of whom happened to be Caucasian, who also were wearing hats. He didn't care. I had already purchased a drink from the venue and left my card at the bar. I told him that I had a tab open and he then decided to retract his statement, saying that (and I paraphrase) "if he caught me with my hat on again that I would have a short night." I didn't know whether to take such as a threat to kick me out, or a suggestion that a physical confrontation would ensue. I was by myself and immediately turned uncomfortable with my surroundings. I decided then that it would be in my best interest to close my tab and find another venue to watch the game. I did not report this initially, as I thought such would fall on blind eyes and/or deaf ears. However, I am appalled to see that I am not the only case and am now elated to share my encounter. Thank you.

Another place which keeps packing it in until the customers cant even move. Terrible service dont bother tipping because they wont remember and leave u standing there like a jerkoff for an hour while they cater to their friends who can walk right up and get a drink. Suffocating atmosphere and horrific bar staff.

This bar is all that should be flushed down the toilet. Racism is unacceptable and shouldn't be tolerated. I hope this puts you out of business and makes way for a far classier establishment.

Really! Just read the article about the racist tactics at your bar. SHAME on you. I will join the others in re-posting the story and encourage them to do the same. Power is for ALL people.

The staff was rude, the drinks were watered down, the glasses were dirty, and the bathroom was disgusting. Do yourself a favor, leave this place to the local trash.