Patrons, employees say Tavern at Phipps confused 'Southern Hospitality' with Good 'Ol Southern Racism

A week-long federal jury trial began today to decide whether the owners of Buckhead bar-restaurant Tavern at Phipps discriminated against black customers.

Plaintiffs Joe Barry Carroll, a former NBA star, and Joseph Shaw, claim that they were forced by security to leave the restaurant in Aug. 2006 when they wouldn't give up their seats at the bar to a couple of white women. Their lawyer, human rights attorney Gerry Weber, says that depositions taken from Tavern at Phipps staffers revealed that owner Greg Greenbaum instituted a police called "Southern Hospitality" at the restaurant — which basically meant employees were required to be inhospitable to black people.

Here's Weber's synopsis of the Aug. 2006 incident:
On August 11, 2006, Carroll and African-American attorney Joseph Shaw, visited the Tavern at Phipps after work. They took seats at the bar, and ordered drinks and food.

Shortly thereafter, a bartender approached and requested that they relinquish their seats to two caucasian women. The two men politely declined and resumed with their meals and conversation. Immediately, they were approached by the operating partner and later manager of the Tavern who both demanded that they relinquish their seats.

Carroll and Shaw noted to the Tavern staff and management that none of the white patrons of the bar were being repeatedly asked to give up their seats. No explanation was given for the discriminatory treatment. Rather, the Tavern called their security who arrived in a police uniform and escorted the gentleman out of the restaurant — stating that while Carroll and Shaw were not disruptive, the 'custom' was to give up their seats.

In subsequent interviews and depositions, Weber says employees revealed that Greenbaum's not-so-secret policy — that was seriously called "Southern Hospitality" — prohibited, then limited, the number of black hostesses, cocktail waitresses and bartenders on busy nights; limited blender drinks that he thought would appeal to black people; and intentionally delayed service to black customers.

A former bartender said: “Greg is convinced that blacks in the bar area will ruin his business ... Greg has the ability to determine the differences of his white guests, but to him all Blacks in the bar are bad for business.”

In their lawsuit, Carroll and Shaw are asking for damages and requesting a court order that would prevent racial discrimination in the future.

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