Culture

The Owner Of This Pub Allegedly Told His Staff Not To Let “Blacks” Inside

He also reportedly owes his employees thousands of dollars in unpaid wages.

by Tom Clift  22 January 2019
Rorkes bar owner in Darwin accused of racism

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The owner of a popular Darwin bar will appear in court tomorrow after allegedly telling his staff not to allow “blacks” into the pub. Mitchell McNamee, owner of Rorkes Beer Wine Food, came under fire this morning following the allegations of racism, as well as claims that he owes workers thousands of dollars in unpaid wages.

According to a report by the ABC, McNamee regularly instructed staff to eject Indigenous patrons without cause. “I told you no blacks in my fucking bar,” he allegedly texted one senior employee.

He also allegedly told workers to start charging Indigenous patrons when they asked for water, and to use the excuse of “no singlets” to prevent them from entering.

The allegations of racism come after 15 employees reportedly staged a walk-out over unpaid wages. Multiple staff members have told the ABC that they have not been paid in several weeks, with one employee claiming to be owed $10,000.

McNamee declined to comment about the allegations when contacted by the ABC. Staff say he has promised to pay back the unpaid wages.

Rorkes has not been open for business for several days, and the venue’s Facebook and Instagram pages appear to have been deactivated. Calls to the venue by Junkee on Tuesday morning went unanswered.

Northern Territory Police confirmed to Junkee that McNamee was last week summonsed to appear in court on charges of contravening his liquor licence. He will face court tomorrow.

Feature image via Rorkes Beer Wine Food