Hannah D.
Yelp
Really disheartened about our experience, just at the DOOR of Rain.
We had three people in our party, myself, my friend, and her partner. My friend is disabled and walks with a cane. We saw there was a line to get in, which we completely understood, but the line was not disability friendly (as most bars aren't). We decided to ask the bouncer if there was a handicap entrance/line, or any kind of accommodations for people who aren't able bodied. We walked up to the side of the entrance with no line and just a bouncer, and we were immediately met with attitude, which I partially understood, because I'm sure he has to deal with a lot of people and a lot of attitude himself. From his perspective, it looked like we were trying to just bypass the line and walk right in. We told him we weren't trying to do that, and just wanted to know if there was a different line/area/entrance that was accessibility friendly, since the line on the sidewalk is not. He instructed us to walk around the building into the alley and that was the spot we needed to be. So we walked around the building, down the side of the building, into the alleyway. We get to the double doors that are open and blocked by one person, and there is a group of people also at the door. So we walk up to the bouncer in the back, and tell him what we are looking for, and that we have been sent by the bouncer in the front. This bouncer was immediately hostile towards us. He kept yelling at everyone, telling my friend that he had no idea what she was talking about and she needed to back away. We tried to explain again but it was pointless so we started to walk away. My friend's partner tried to explain our confusion and simply that we had been instructed to come here, to which he replied "she needs to get over herself" loud enough for everyone and my friend to hear. Mind you, she was already walking away, so this was entirely uncalled for. My friend was rightfully furious at this point, and told him off, and he told her off right back. I want to understand his perspective, I'm sure he is dealing with a lot of shit all night. But we were clearly 1. Not intoxicated or making any kind of scene 2. Asking questions, not making demands 3. Following instructions from other staff members. And despite all this, we were met with vitriol and cruel words. My friend is disabled, it's not a matter of "getting over it" it's a matter of spaces learning how to be more inclusive so disabled people see they matter and there is space for them.
We walked back around to the front, I sat with my friend who had done more walking then she could handle at this point and held her as she was in distress from the treatment. Her partner went to talk to the bouncer at the front again, to let him know what happened in the back and that there is NOT an accessibility line/area/entrance in the back. He didn't care and tried to brush it off like we were being unreasonable, and out of control. It was such a terrible experience, and shocking coming from a club that is supposed to be inclusive AND it was Pride weekend.
Truly I just hope someone sees this, and there is some kind of change to how disabled patrons are treated (sensitivity training maybe?) and that they create spaces that make the club and waiting more accessible. And even if they can't provide that right now for whatever reason (even though it illegal, and the ADA has requirements for businesses for this very reason) train your staff to handle it better, than telling a disabled person to get over it when they are trying to access, accessible spaces.
So disappointing.