Camden Blues Kitchen in racism row as doorman sacked after group told they 'didn't look like they would like blues'

The doorman allegedly went on to say: 'I thought because you were black you would like rap music'

The Blues Kitchen, Camden, is a blues bar serving Cajun food (maoboy72/TripAdvisor)

A blues restaurant has been accused of racism after a group of university students were stopped from entry and told they "didn't look like" they would like blues music.

The doorman at The Blues Kitchen, in Camden, allegedly went on to explain: "Well, it's a blues night, it doesn't really look like your kind of thing."

Speaking to The Independent, Ayo, 20, who didn't want to give his last name, said the doorman later told the group: "I thought because you were black you would like rap music."

When the group called for the manager, he allegedly told the group he thought they had been stopped because of their age.

Ayo told The Independent: "There was no mention of age, he didn't ask for our IDs either. We were all in our 20s and had our IDs on us.

"I don't see how age and genre of music are related anyway."

The doorman was dismissed over his comments after The Blues Kitchen conducted an internal investigation.

A spokesperson said: "Following a customer complaint received this morning The Blues Kitchen carried out an internal investigation which resulted in the dismissal of a doorman for making a racist comment to a customer.

"The Blues Kitchen is home to all colours, cultures and sexes. This isolated incident saddens us immensely. We are desperately sorry and will ensure, through improved hiring and training procedures, that something such as this will never happen again."

When asked whether he was satisfied the doorman had been dismissed, Ayo said: "I'm happy about that. I think that was the right thing considering what happened.

"There was no sympathy shown from the doorman through the way he tried to justify it. I feel that's the right course of action.

"However, I'm still not totally satisfied because of the way they have responded... It's unacceptable for people to be treated like that. "