Time To Get Rid Of "Ladies Night"?

[needlefingers]

This is happening in New York.

NYC nightclubs defend ladies' nights

By LARRY NEUMEISTER, Associated Press Writer Sat Dec 15, 1:06 AM ET



NEW YORK - Men are not discriminated against by "ladies' nights" at Manhattan nightclubs, just as people in their 20s do not suffer because some restaurants let children eat for free or have "early bird" specials for older customers, according to nightclub lawyers fighting a federal lawsuit.

Roy Den Hollander has sued clubs including Lotus and the China Club, saying he was discriminated against by ladies' nights, which offer women free or discounted admission and drinks.

Deborah Swindells Donovan, a lawyer for Lotus, called the lawsuit frivolous in papers filed Friday in U.S. District Court.

She wrote that if his "ill-conceived theory is applied to restaurants, then 'early bird' specials for the elderly or promotions allowing children to eat free would be discriminatory on the basis of age."

Vanessa R. Elliott, a lawyer representing the club AER Lounge, said in court papers Friday that nightclubs recognize that men might not want to visit the clubs if they fail to attract enough women.

"Under this theory, male customers may actually benefit from ladies' nights in other ways and be encouraged to attend the club on those nights," she wrote.

The price charged to men is not so burdensome that it amounts to denying them entry, Elliott argued.

In his lawsuit, Hollander said he sought to represent all men over age 21 who had entered one of the nightclubs since June 21, 2004, and been subjected to policies that provide discounts to women of the same age.

He asked a judge to conclude that the policies violated the Constitution and to assess minor damages against the clubs.



My Opinion: Yes, it is time to stop what is essentially discrimination. I don't like saying that, but it is true.

The argument that men may have a better chance of getting lucky on these nights just smacks of sexism.

Today, we have gay bars that offer lower drink prices for those who are in their underwear. And believe me, crackheads in their underwear don't look any better when they are drunk.

Again, I don't like saying it, but Ladies' Nights are discriminating.

Prove me wrong.

[paul]

Well, you're right needle but getting rid of ladies night will hurt the men ultimately.
The whole point is to attract more women to the clubs. Most straight men go to the clubs to meet women. Thus, doing the just thing in this case is a stupid thing.

[paul]

By the way, I think Hollander is a selfish loser who is looking for a buck!

[needlefingers]

You know Paul, in a roundabout way, you did change my mind.

I gave up smoking years ago, but I was against the total smoking ban that has happened in New York City and now the rest of the world.

I felt you could could still have bars and clubs that allowed smoking and let the people make their choice.

People can also make their choice about "Ladies' Night". You are not forced to attend. There are other places to go and have a drink.

And I went to many a club looking for love myself. Who am I to deny any one else the chance to have some fun? That's the reason many people are there for.

Sometimes, it takes a heterosexual to set me straight.

Thanks Paul. For saving me from becoming an old fuddy duddy.

[paul]

No problem needle.

[LilGiorginasMafia]

Too much time on the hands....

[KoolChris]

I think the plaintiff has a case, and a valid one.

I don't like the habit in America of filing lawsuits for everything and its opposite, but if feminists have a right to sue anyone or anything they deem discriminatory, offensive, or questionable, then some action should be taken from the other side, if only to balance out the abuse. If you want equal rights, you must be ready to grant those you feel discriminated against the same rights.

Let me put on my lawyer suit:
I hope someone pointed out to the club lawyer (Donovan) that her argument is totally stupid, and actually backs the plaintiff's claim.
-Ladies' nights constitute a total, and permanent discrimination against men, on the basis of their gender. That discriminates against 100% of the male population, with no hope to reverse or share the benefit, ever. That's fundamentally unfair, and downright discriminatory.
-Early bird & kids specials apply to both sexes, children or elderly, at different times in their lives. 100% of the population has, will, or at least has a chance to benefit (provided they reach a certain age). That's fair to everyone. But even these specials can be considered biased towards women to an extent, as single mothers are the most common alternative to bi-parental families, so they would tend to profit more from kids' specials. Not even mentioning the fact that those divorced single mothers will be saving off the father's alimony when paying for the kids' meals, yet another perk.

Discrimination is everywhere to some extent. It's within us, in our education. Traditionally, when a man and a woman go out for dinner, drinks, and/or other activities, our education prepares the man to step forward to provide, i.e. pay the tab; and the woman to expect that. As long as it's accepted, and not forced upon both parties, it can be considered OK. Illegitimate, but OK. Ladies' nights bring along another problem, by making that custom, and different treatment, an obligation.

The clubs I go to usually have no cover fee, making money by selling drinks & bottles instead. I never have to pay to get in, so I'm never confronted to the Ladies' night phenomenon. I probably have been some time before in my life, without paying any attention to it. I don't think it would bother me anyway, although the principle is obviously unfair. I think cheaper entry based on revenue, although not quite glamourous, would be far more legitimate...
Of course, as Paul wrote, doing the just thing in this case is a stupid thing, but the just thing notwithstanding.

[QUINNY]

My opinion: The guy has been looking for a way to sue someone for ages and ages and suddenly hit upon this idea. Nothing wrong with Ladies Nights per se, if it allows men and women to socialise more.

So, in the crappy world we live in it can be deemed both sexist and discriminatory....so what! There are thousands upon thousands of worse things happening in this world that should be tackled first.

[paul]

I don't get it either Quinny. The basic idea is to get more women into the clubs. I guess we are dinosaurs