A Philadelphia man’s accessory of choice stirred up controversy at a New York City cocktail lounge when he donned a “Make America Great Again” baseball cap while out for drinks, and a bartender refused service. Now, he’s suing.
Greg Piatek, a 30-year-old accountant, stopped by West Village hotspotThe Happiest Hour with twofriends on Jan. 28, after touring the 9/11 Memorial Museum. Piatekand his crew were initially served drinks, but their table was ignored when they called for a second round. They waited about 15 to 20 minutes — during which time the bartender gave Piatek”a lengthy death stare” and walked past their table numerous times — until one of the plaintiff’s friends called over the bartender to ask for another round. RELATED: Trump’s America: The man who coulda tamed Donald “Visibly flustered, annoyed and filled with hatred,” the lawsuit states, the bartender approached Piatekand said, “Is that hat a joke?”
Another bartender asked if the hat was a joke, and shouted at Piatek: “I can’t believe you would support someone so terrible and you must be as terrible a person.”
The Happiest Hour manager spoke with tavern owner Jon Neidich, and told Piatek that “anyone who supports [President Donald] Trump or believes what you believe is not welcome here. And you need to leave right now beceause we won’t serve you,” the suit says. RELATED: Trump supporter attacked for his ‘Make America Great Again’ hat: Report Then, the Philly man was escorted to the door.
Filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, the suit claims Piatek was discriminated against for his political beliefs. Piatek’slawyer described the ordeal as “the most discriminatory, humiliating and ‘saddest hour’ of his life,” claiming his client suffered and continues to suffer anxiety and emotional distress from the incident. Neidich didn’t respond to requests for comment from several news media.
Filed Complaint Redacted by Heavy on Scribd
