'No Aboriginals tonight': Adelaide pub denies racism amid claims bouncers knocked back Indigenous customers
A popular Adelaide pub had denied claims of racism after an Indigenous couple said they were refused entry because a manager told a bouncer “not to let Aboriginals in tonight”.
Father-of-three Peter Miller Koncz posted his complaint on the Palais Hotel at Semaphore’s Facebook page over the weekend, attracting a surge of support and a strong denial from the hotel’s management.
He had visited the seaside pub with his wife Kahlia on Saturday when, he claimed, a bouncer told them he could not let them in because of their race.
“When we were refused, I asked what was wrong and he (the security guard) said, ‘Nah, not tonight brother… the manager told me not to let Aboriginals in tonight’,” Mr Miller Koncz told The Advertiser.
“The security guard said there was a big fight of a group of Aboriginals there last week.”
The hotel deleted Mr Miller Knoncz’s post on Monday but angry social media users have continued posting to the Palais Hotel Semaphore page expressing their disgust.
A request to speak to senior staff failed to resolve the problem, Mr Miller Knoncz said, with the duty manager telling him to leave or he would be removed.
“My heart dropped and I was in shock after we left,” he said.
“My wife and kids often go there to have lunch and we were even considering having our wedding there a few years ago, that’s how much we go to the place. Now we definitely won’t be going back.”
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According to The Advertiser, a second Aboriginal customer also had her complaints deleted from the Palais’ social media accounts when she recounted a similar incident.
“I’m letting you know there was a big indigenous fight here last weekend,” Taylor Power-Smith said.
“That made it clear why we were refused ... we weren't involved in it and didn’t know anyone involved,” she said.
In a statement, Palais owner Steve Karpluk said he was investigating and that no orders from management instructed staff to turn away Aboriginal customers.
“We are looking into these allegations and we can assure you we take them very seriously,” he said.
“We would like to state that as a business and family-owned hotel we categorically deny any allegations of racism and there has never been or will there be a directive from management to refuse any patron entry due to race.”
The claims are the second racially charged controversy to hit Semaphore this week.
Over the weekend video emerged of a wild brawl in the suburb's popular cafe strip, with one witness telling 7 News racial abuse had featured strongly in the violent scenes.
