Bar owner ‘won’t apologise’ for banning solo drinkers
A pub owner who banned people drinking alone has defended his policy, saying he would not apologize despite criticism.
Carl Peters owns cocktail and karaoke bar Alibi in Altrincham, Manchester. The venue operates a door policy that does not allow single entry after 21:00. Mr. Peters addressed what he described as “outrage” surrounding the policy.
He explained his door policy in a video posted on the bar’s Instagram page earlier this month. The video was titled: “Door policy drama” and Mr. Peters explained that he recorded the video in response to an objection about the policy from a potential solo customer who believed the rule was discriminatory.
Mr Peters said there were two main factors behind the rule. He said in the video: “If something were to happen to that person late at night in a crowded bar environment where people are drinking, that would be an absolute nightmare for us to deal with.
“Also sometimes if you let people in by themselves, there’s a reason why they’re on their own; they don’t have anyone to talk to so they start disrupting other groups because they’re not going to sit there quietly at a bar.”
The video shows a sign on the bar’s door. The following statements were included in the statement: “There is no single entrance. After 21.00 in the evening, Alibi does not allow single entry.
“If you already have guests at the venue, please contact them prior to entry. This is for the safety of all guests.”
According to BBCInstagram users’ reactions to the rule were mixed. He reported that one reviewer said they “always felt safe at Alibi.”
Another said it was “short-sighted”, noting that he “didn’t hurt anyone” and that he was “happy in my own company” if he went for a drink alone after finishing work late.
On Wednesday, Mr. Peters posted another genuine video on Instagram defending the policy once again.
He said: “It’s certainly been an interesting few days with all this anger about our door policy. I’d like to draw a line under that, to be honest.”
“I’m not going to apologize for prioritizing people’s well-being and safety. That’s our number one priority when they come to the Alibi, then making sure you all have a great time and Britney Spears gets played.”
Mr Peters emphasized that people were allowed to go in on their own before 9pm. He added that the policy has occasionally been brought up at the door by potential customers, but he believes it is “standard procedure in nightlife.”
He explained: “I understand that some people don’t accept that policy, but in a way I don’t care because it literally shows up at the door once or twice a month and it’s usually a drunk person wandering around in the middle of the night trying to find somewhere to go and we’re like ‘sorry we don’t let people in alone.’
“It’s literally a practice. That doesn’t mean we don’t let people in on their own; of course we do. We don’t go in when the bar is full and it’s like a nightclub because it’s not safe.”
