The owner of a Melbourne bar has apologized after displaying a menu promising "no poofter drinks" that offended many visitors.
Steve Miller, proprietor of Handsome Steve's House of Refreshment in Fitzroy, Victoria was forced to remove his signage after it caused a debate on the weekend after many bar goers complained about the sign hanging in the bar.
The bar's Facebook page has been bombarded by angry commenters, complaining about the bar's pegboard menu that listed items such as "Lemonade of honour", "Whine", "Geelong premiership years" as well as "No poofter drinks." Many angry drinkers claimed that it was homophobic.
According to Herald Sun, one of the customers Stephen Wakefield along with his 20 friends were drinking in the bar one weekend when they noticed the listed items on the board. "To see something like that, come on man, this isn't 1995. You can have those jokes with your friends, but to be on a sign is a bit rude," Mr. Wakefield said to the media outlet.
He claimed that one of his friends actually complained about the signage and asked one of the staff to remove it but the management reportedly refused to do so. Eventually, he and his friends left the bar after the heated argument.
After, the bar was bombarded through social media. Owner Steve Miller said to Herald Sun that the board was removed. He further said that it was actually been up for seven years and it was intended to be funny as it was listed with many jokes. Mr Miller also claimed that many gays "thought it was hilarious."
He also addressed the homophobic issue and said he was sincerely sorry and was mortified by it and he said he is a strong believer of equal rights. "If I've given offence to anybody, I unconditionally apologise. I unreservedly apologise," Mr Miller added.
