The owners of a George Town bar that is facing eviction and a lawsuit for being a ‘nuisance’ establishment and attracting anti-social clientele have fired back at their landlords – claiming racial profiling, discrimination and unprofessionalism that has resulted in continued financial and reputational damage.
In a counterclaim writ filed with the Grand Court on 26 April 2024, which the Compass has seen, the owners of Vine and Tap refuted a long list of allegations made by the owners of Cayman Technology Centre business park.
According to the court documents, among the allegations that Vine and Tap have dismissed as untrue are claims that they’ve attracted loud and foul-mouthed customers who drink and urinate in the parking lot, some of whom discard used condoms and cigarette butts on the premises, play loud music from car sound systems and make unwarranted advances to female staff and clients of other tenants.
The 12-page writ suggests that Cayman Technology Centre should be required to prove that the offences it alleges, were actually carried out by patrons of Vine and Tap.
But, the bar accepts that during a private event a customer brought with them equipment to facilitate pole dancing. However, they say nothing illegal occurred, and that pole dancing in and of itself does not contravene the terms and conditions of the lease agreement.
In their writ, Vine and Tap say the rest of the allegations are unfounded and are a part of a plot by the centre to deliberately damage the bar’s reputation.
“[S]ometime in the second quarter of 2023, the Plaintiff embarked on a campaign of racial profiling and discrimination with respect to the patrons and licensees that were invited to the Premises by the defendant.” states the counterclaim.
The document goes on to say, “The Plaintiff’s representative would visit the Premises regularly and would make derogatory comments with respect to the ethnic diversity of the clientele at the Premises since 2023.”
According to Vine and Tap, the Cayman Technology Centre caters to “white-collar” workers and “would prefer that locals and/or ethnic persons not attend at the Premises”.
In the original lawsuit were claims of a contractual breach in which Cayman Technology Centre says that Vine and Tap failed to take out a $1 million insurance policy for injuries/accidents or damages, which was to have been paid for jointly with the centre.
The absence of such a policy formed the basis on which Cayman Technology Centre claims the lease was breached, entitling them to evict the clients.
In their response, Vine and Tap claims the required policy was in place and the eviction unlawful.
According to Vine and Tap’s counterclaim, the efforts to evict the bar have resulted in clients cancelling pre-booked events. In addition, Vine and Tap alleges that the rumours of eviction have led to competing bars holding events that conflict with its most popular nights.
Taking their separate arguments to the court, both sides have sued for unspecified damages. Cayman Technology Centre has called on the courts to uphold their eviction order, whereas Vine and Tap has called for it to be quashed.
No hearing date has been set. Until then, Vine and Tap continues to operate at Cayman Technology Centre.
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