Look at Rosebud Restaurants in Chicago. The Italian chain recently agreed to pay out $1.9 million to settle a race discrimination suit, which alleged that Rosebud refused to hire African Americans and that management used racial slurs when referring to African Americans. Additionally, Bottled Blonde in River North recently came under fire for their dress code, which excluded patrons from wearing anything from Jordans and Air Force Ones to visible tattoos and baggy clothes. Sound pretty anti Black, right?
This type of racism isn’t new to Black bartenders like myself. I could fill two or three books with stories of the ever-changing dress codes and racial profiling created to keep us out. It sucks. For those of us who came into this industry, wanting to create positive vibes and experiences for people looking to have a good time, it’s easy to lose faith in people – and I’m not solely speaking about bar owners and managers. When a drunk patron calls me a “nigger bitch,” or I get turned away at the door of my own job on my night off because of racist bouncers, it chips away at my optimism.
But, as always, Black people tend to create opportunity in times of darkness. A change is coming, thanks to a community of Black bartenders in Chicago who are reviving an appreciation for mixology to help blur the lines of segregation.
Ariel Neal. Alexis Brown. Josh Davis. Sherri Bradley. Lisa Nicole. Jarmel Doss.
These Black bartenders – and so many more – are not only excelling in Chicago bars but also rocking cocktail competitions. Neal and Brown joined forces to create “Causing a Stir,” a forum and movement whose sole mission is to literally cause a stir in the bartending world. The group encourages free thought, networking and taking control of your brand as a bartender.
Also, Brown recently participated in Bombay Sapphire’s “Most Imaginative Bartender” regionals, where she showed off the creativity that has made her the standout mixologist she’s known to be across the country.