Very truly yours, Īfter receiving that complaint, the ATC conducted an undercover investigation of Phoenix, as it had done with Rawhide. If you have any questions concerning the foregoing, please do not hesitate to contact me. I ask that this investigation take place so that all ‘leather’ bars operate within the same parameters. result, its business is significantly depressed, and its customers have started frequenting its main competitor, The Phoenix Bar. While the complaint was redacted by the ATC to exclude the complaint filer’s identity, we now know Rawhide owner Tom Wood has taken credit for it. The complaint alleged “lewd and improper conduct occurs on a regular basis,” sexual acts taking place in upstairs bar The Eagle and in the bathroom, gay porn broadcast in the bar and “all you can drink” beer past the 10 p.m.
4, 2018 - 15 days before Rawhide’s administrative hearing - a complaint was filed with the ATC against Phoenix, requesting an investigation into the New Orleans gay bar. What happened with New Orleans gay bar Phoenix Here’s where things get really disappointing. An ATC deputy commissioner has identified the complainant as “the ownership of Rawhide,” which complained that Rawhide was suffering and losing business to Phoenix following its own investigation, citations and weeklong closure. To be clear, though, the identity of the person who filed the complaint - whether one of the women denied entry to Rawhide or otherwise - remains unknown.Īs for the other New Orleans gay bar, Phoenix, that underwent an investigation by the ATC, we do know who is responsible. But that behavior does not justify the spiteful filing of a complaint against Rawhide alleging fabricated claims of prostitution and drug use, both of which were not found by the ATC during its investigation. It’s unlawful discrimination for a bar to deny entry to anyone based on their gender, and if Rawhide did indeed do so, that is illegal. One of the women claims they were told, “Well, it’s Southern Decadence” as the excuse for the denial of entry.
It’s alleged that three unidentified women attempted to enter that event and were refused entry due to their gender as well. It’s now believed the complaint is connected to incidents that took place during Southern Decadence 2018, an annual LGBTQ event held in New Orleans over Labor Day weekend.Įarly Sunday morning, an unidentified woman was allegedly turned away from entering Rawhide by the bar’s management, after which she “ a minor scene” and shouted “I will call and have this place shut down.” Later in the day on Sunday, local leather organization Crescent City Leathermen staged a leather and kink demonstration inside Rawhide. Rawhide was also fined $6,750, was forced to close for one week, and was placed on a 60-day probation.īecause this serious complaint against Rawhide was anonymous, it’s unknown who filed it, but Perez’s investigative report for Ambush does some digging about who could be responsible. An underage operative was allowed to purchase a beer at the bar, and oral and anal sex and masturbation taking place inside the bar was captured on hidden camera.Īfter an administrative hearing, Rawhide was cited for showing pornography inside the bar, for sexual activity taking place on the premises and for serving a minor. Wed, Fri and Sat after 9pm are best times to view.Īn undercover investigation by the ATC then commenced. Male prostitutes solicit (including those that may be minors). There is also a room in the back of the bar in which people engage in obscene and lewd sex acts. This establishment allows lewd public sex acts, including oral, anal, group sex and masturbation in clear view of patrons. Perez obtained the text of the complaint through a public records request:
6, 2018, an anonymous complaint was filed against New Orleans gay bar Rawhide with the local police department, and that complaint was later referred to the ATC. What happened with New Orleans gay bar Rawhide