07/21/09

Trigger Happy Hour

by ApollosBullets

the gringo with the misappropriated paddy hat run one of the worst bars in the entire north eastern region of the U.S. he himself is extremely unkempt, greasy and smells like the apocalypse died in a smallpox hospital during some long forgotten year of plague. despite his poor hygiene and appearance (he kind of reminds me of the Scarecrow villain from Batman), he imposes a White Supremacist and Patriarchal standard in screening at the door. you could spend a load of time just tallying up the folks of color who are told, "they're not regulars" or "you're too...casual". mind you the difficulty with becoming a regular when you keep people of color from never being able to enter. also, the term "casual" is a loosely veiled moniker for, "colored". seeing that the white folks inside are dressed in vintage laundry that hasn't been washed, with moth holes both intentional and accident - it's bitter that POCs (people of color) are called out for being baggy when the Jonas Brothers inside are painting on their torn jeans.

in summary,

the continental embodies a lot of why downtown manhattan, despite its lip service to being "alternative" or "sub-corporate", will continue to decay in its own fantasy world, and continue to draw in the hipsters who believe themselves to be "liberated-chic" because of their indie-movie choices and that one token friend.

i would say avoid, but its actually informative to check it out from the curb and people watch; take notes; observe; and remember that the Empire State Building is the tallest building in New York.

• Pros: makes anything else look great
• Cons: its whole existence

07/21/09

BIGOT BAR

by tygaheat

It was my 21st birthday last night, and after sharing a pleasant meal, we decided to check into this diver to grab a couple of cheap shots. Upon our arrival, my friend, who identifies as black, is asked for "a better-looking ID." She asks "What?" The bouncer just laughs it off and shoos her in. This is questionable, but doesn't phase us. I see a white man wearing a cone-shaped hat typically worn by Chinese rice farmers who is making humorous gesticulations at two female customers.

As 4/5 of our group were Asian-American, we took a quiet offense to his allegedly comical attire, however, tried to ignore it by assuming a table in the back of the bar. On our way to the back, we tried to squeeze by the man in the cone-shaped hat, who is blocking the walkway, politely requesting him to move.

We were about to order our drinks when the man in the hat comes to our table, and while there is definitely no human traffic in the walking area (besides him of course), he points a finger at my friend and tells him to "set his chair straight." This is obviously an arbitrary comment as he proceeds to point to me and says, "You, you little creep who said excuse me, this is MY bar, are you asking to get kicked out?" He calls me a "little creep" one more time, and we pick up our things and leave.

THE STORY IS NOT OVER.

As we are leaving, another group predominantly comprised of people of color, are about to walk into the bar. The two girls had their hair done, and were dressed in nice-looking blouses, and one a dress. The man had a sharp buttoned-down shirt and nice jeans. They asked us why we were so angry as we left, and we told them.

Two minutes later, as we were standing outside another bar, the group came walking our way, and told us they had been rejected for looking too "casual." It was then that I recalled a tubby white man we were sitting next to had an attitude shirt that read: "You better like animals, because I'm a BEAST."

It became very clear to us that we, nor other people of color were welcome in the bar. Call it what you will, say we're paranoid, but the feeling that we were unwelcome was visceral.

HORRIBLE BAR. PLEASE DO NOT SUBSIDIZE THIS ESTABLISHMENT.

• Pros: NOPE
• Cons: BIGOTED OWNER AND BOUNCER

07/01/09

BIGOTED Door Policy!!

by nycsinger

I am from Virginia but have been living in NYC for 8 years. I have never been more discriminated against than I have at this establishment in NYC!

I was out with a friend of mine last night. We are both African Americans. We were walking down the street, saw the sign and figured it was a good place to stop and get some drinks. However, we didn't make it past the bouncer. We were met with "Only regulars tonight."

I thought the bouncer had to be kidding. The place was not full and there were people dressed in various types of clothing. My friend and I were dressed perfectly fine for that area. The only difference I could discern from us and the people I could see inside (all the front doors were open so we could see the whole bar) was our skin color. So I called the bouncer on it. I asked him if he could tell me why I saw no people of color in the bar. He stated that he was only able to let in regulars as per the owners instructions. I was livid.

The bouncer was a tall African American man and I asked him how he could work in such an establishment that would instruct him to refuse entry to people of color. He never admitted that was the case but he said he was doing what he was told. I told him he should get a new job.

My friend and I are both entertainers living in NYC. I am a singer, actress, and tv host. My friend is a recording artist who has worked with many high profile people as well. We have found ourselves in many different situations with many different types of people. I am just as comfortable in an evening gown as I am in my jeans and Chucks. But regardless of WHO you are, you should NEVER be discriminated against for any reason.

I am simply appalled at this place's policies. I wish I had seen these reviews before I happened into the place. BUT, I shouldn't have to pull up Citysearch on my phone to find out if I'm welcome in an establishment. These places should not exist, period.

I hope that people will read this review and keep on walking when they see the glowing sign of Continental. Cheap drinks isn't a reason to give money to this place. In this economic climate when so many of our favorite spots are forced to close their doors, one can only hope that the next time I walk past Continental I can lay my eyes on a sign saying "Closed for Business."

• Pros: I wouldn't know since I was refused entry - so I'll say none
• Cons: Bigoted door policy and rude

06/28/09

Rudeness and cheap booze

by adambox

just read the yelp reviews for a taste..

• Pros: known for 5 shots for $10
• Cons: rude bouncers and management

05/26/09

Boycott this bar

by thenigel

Go on facebook and type in boycott continental in group searches.

Please join this group and show your support in getting attention to the practices of this bar.

• Pros: none
• Cons: none

05/15/09

Continental Is horrible

by Tj171

This place is a dump to begin with . I ve been there about 5 times with my buddies from work. I never really liked this place. The bouncers have a god complex. I had one incident when this Idiot of a bouncer decided to pull me off the line telling me that "they are only accepting regulars" i was nicely dressed too. So I cussed his A** out telling this is not a club but a rinky dink bar too. I made him look stupid infront of the other bouncers. He told me well I just started this month, So how the hell do you know any body. What a freaking Idiot. I hope the owner reads this

and realizes to hire ppl with atleast a ged. Instead of these 6' 5'' beasts.

Ps. I ve seen others discriminated against because of their skin color. (Ra cist Establishment)

Avoid this place at all costs if you want good Cheap Drinks goto Cheapshots near by.

• Pros: Not going in there
• Cons: Bouncers

05/09/09

only if you're desperate

by kleptic

I would like to inform you that I was treated with so much disrespect at your venue. I walked out of the bar to see my friends who were an interracial couple, yet the bouncer refused them entry for no other reason than "they're not the usual crowd."

Now I know for a fact that the bar has an even mix of cultures and ethnicities, so this should NOT have been a problem. When I asked why he refused them entry, he just gave me the same answer, and when I asked him why that has any relevence, he told me I could no longer enter the bar with no other reason than that. I had not approached him with any hosility or offensive language whatsoever.

The sheer refusal of a legitimate answer to why we could not enter is frustrating. I had thought that Continental was a more liberal establishment.

Because this prejudice and racism has occured, I will make sure none of my friends will ever come to give this venue any business.

Unless I am presented with an apology from the bar and the bouncer, I may me forced to push a court order to prove my case. Normally I would not go to such measures, but the sheer disrespect was far too much to wave away.

*The bouncer worked on a Friday night, and was a tall black male.

• Pros: cheap
• Cons: bulllshit employees

03/04/09

Worst bar I've ever been.

by mbrandt714

The bartender and the security guy at door are completely rude. They work like they're doing you a favor. If you don't want to be treated as cr&p stay away from this place.

01/01/09

ASSAULT & BATTERY...I saw the whole thing happen

by brunette31

In response to the review below...I was standing outside of McDonalds last night and saw this whole thing happen. The bouncer was at least 400 pounds and way over 6' tall. The bouncer had walked well past the bar to follow her and that's when I saw him push her down the street. She literally was thrown and landed on her face. I couldn't believe what I was witnessing...and quickly helped her up as her friends were calling the police. She had deep cuts on both her hands and knees.

I would avoid this bar at all costs!! It is my impression that it is more likely you will be physically assaulted than have a good time. Enter at your own risk.

• Pros: Assault
• Cons: Battery

01/01/09

Worst Bar in NYC

by JonnyBest

This place is ridiculous! There was NOT just one bouncer at this bar on New Years 2009, but two. The first guy let eveybody with me (including me) into the bar. I was the last guy in line other than a few folks behind me. Mind you, there was NO cover at all and the bar was anything but crowded. The second bouncer made some kind of comment like "hold on". I told him I just showed the first bouncer my ID, but he would NOT let me in after I said this.

Upon the first bouncer telling my friends this, they all came back outside. We started to leave but complained that the bar was being ridiculous when the offending bouncer suddenly charged us.

He threw a girl who was with us to the ground. Upon him doing this, I approached this bouncer and demanded that he treat us better when he put me in a sleeper hold and threw me to the ground.

After this happened, my other male friend attempted to call him out when he threw him against a tree.

The girl he threw to the ground was bleeding from both the elbow and the knee. It was a no brainer. We had no choice but to call the police. In fact it was ONLY after we called the police, that the so called "owner" came out to make things better. I would avoid this bar at ALL costs. I can't claim to be 100% in discrimatorial issues, but the people behind us in line were black and they would not let them in either. We were white btw and both bouncers were black. It's not like it was Studio 54 or something. I mean really?! Needless to say, it's past 6am on New Years and I am COMPLETELY coherent enough to write about our experience right now so there was absolutely NO reason for them NOT to let me in. I explained this to the crazy bouncer, but he was too upset for some reason and wouldn't let me in simply because of this. Needless to say, we are pressing charges and taking them to court. We will NOT stand for this treatment and neither should u whatever race u are! Hopefully, they get there's in the end. UNBELIEVABLE!

• Pros: Cheap prices
• Cons: Ridiculous bouncers