'Ladies Night' lands nightclub $500 fine

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

In the competitive entertainment scene, nightclubs and bars offer numerous promotions to attract a range of customers. But one popular promotion, "Ladies Night," violates state law if men are not given the same opportunities as women.

The owners of the Blue Tropix Restaurant and Nightclub on Kapi'olani Boulevard found that out yesterday when they were fined $500 by the Honolulu Liquor Commission. Blue Tropix holds a regular Ladies Night, where women are allowed in free but men must pay a cover charge.

State law prohibits discrimination based on a person's race, color, disability, religion, sex, sexual orientation or ancestry. City Deputy Corporation Counsel Debi Tulang-DeSilva, who handled yesterday's case, said Blue Tropix's practice was discriminatory because the law "prohibits any licensee from refusing, withholding from or denying any person full and equal enjoyment of its accommodations, advantages, facilities, goods, privileges or services on the basis of any person's sex or gender."

Blue Tropix officials did not attend yesterday's hearing and could not be reached for comment. The Liquor Commission entered a default judgement and fined the club $500. Tulang-DeSilva said liquor inspectors heard a radio ad for Blue Tropix's Ladies Night, and an inspector warned club vice president Darren Tsuchiya about the law.

But on Aug. 13, two liquor inspectors went to Blue Tropix and saw women walk past the cashier while men were asked to pay a fee, Tulang-DeSilva said.

At Moose McGillycuddy's Pub and Cafe in Waikiki, every Wednesday is Ladies Night, but all customers are treated equally, said general manager Tony Miloni. He said all nights but Friday and Saturday have a theme.

"We do hand out roses to the ladies, but if a guy walking in would like a rose he's more than welcome to have one," Miloni said. "We just call them 'theme nights,' so this way we can put drink specials out there on the slower days of the week."

Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.