Fiona Y.
Yelp
The staff here is unprofessional, rude, and the worst of all blatantly discriminate customers who show high willingness and openness to cooperate, and refuse service in disrespectful mannerisms based on race, color, citizenship status. This is based on my personal experience and the feedback from another customer at the spot whose experience echoed with mine.
Apparently, many many recent reviews made in 2023 here have pointed out similar malpractices. To save you from the pain browsing the lot of them because it could get really upsetting, let me add that this place also seems to practice discriminatory pricing by charging different prices, or offering different qualities of services to consumers who supposedly exercised their rights under the law.
More details specific to my case to follow. But above is all that matters the most to help you make informed decisions when going for a karaoke bar with friends for civilized, respectful, and unexploited fun.
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I arrived by myself earlier than four other friends arriving very soon, planning to get a drink, check out the place, and use the facility. The entrance was unclear whether gate-keeper is present and what to do - no check-in sign, no 'bouncer' in professional clothing or even facing the firection of incoming guests. Amidst the chaos, I tried to proceed, pop my head in, and get ahold of a service member's attention, when an unprofessionally dressed (in casual red/pink ) middle-aged Caucasian woman who might as well be a customer herself abruptly intercepted me, and I immediately apologized for not knowing she's the ID checker at all and I was actually trying to find one. I further apologetically explained that this is my first time here, saw no guiding sign, or someone in a manner signaling they are staff. Then I immediately showed her my EAD card, gesturing willingness to hand the physical card to her, when she took a split-second glance and shut me down because "employment identification does not work in California." I expressed that this is a federal issued document, I've lived here for many years, and I use it for all highstake government/legal identification requirements, and I haven't learned driving, to which she responded that "only driver license or passport work" and that she knows better than me about what documents are acceptable in California because she takes tests about it. I haven't taken those tests and hope to reasonably do a quick online check regarding EAD card. That's the point she mumbled that she can't help if I am international and don't have a Driver License or green card, turned away and ignored me, and moved on to checking another lady's ID. Well that person and three more behind are my American friends who just got here. She was eager to let them in but they obviously wouldn't go in upon learning I'm denied entrance with no leeway. I'm not one to ruin the group's mood, who thoughtfully planned this evening as my first "American karaoke" experience. I knew my priority was to de-escalate and remove myself from a situation that prevents the majority of the group from having a good, much anticipated evening.
After a completely different and positive night at Mint, I looked up official websites, none of which support the lady's confident statements. EAD card suffices as ID in California, plus CCPA's anti-discrimination provisions actually specifically elaborate on conditions around businesses' ability to deny services. (Although, on the very basic level, everyone should know anti-discrimination laws apply on the local, state and federal levels.)
So lady, you got your facts wrong, and I don't get any pleasure in telling you this at all. I was hoping I was actually wrong as I looked things up.
https://www.dfeh.ca.gov/unruh/#faq
https://www.abc.ca.gov/education/licensee-education/checking-identification/
https://www.justice.gov/crt/frequently-asked-questions-faqs#violation
PS. Never received my California Real ID despite application at DMV went through.
Bonus:
Studies find the most prejudiced people tend to think that they are less discriminatory than the average person. (Dunning Kruger effect)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2019.03.047
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ssqu.13224?af=R