Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Brooklyn Pub Loses Battle Over Brits-Preferred Want Ad
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Jun 22, 2013
Modified Jun 22, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Jun 22, 2013
Modified Jun 22, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Bad news for Brooklyn's Brits: a Welsh pub in Bay Ridge that got in trouble for posting a Brits-preferred want ad are giving up their fight with the state's Commission of Human Rights, and they'll be paying a hefty $2,500 fine as penance.
Last year, the owners of the Longbow Pub and Pantry posted a Craigslist ad for a new bartender. In keeping with the bar's British theme, they noted they were looking for “energetic and enthusiastic men and women with an appreciation of craft beer, good food, whisky and real football (a k a soccer).” Unfortunately, the ad also made clear that "[b]eing British definitely works in your favor," and when the Commission of Human Rights caught wind of the specification, they fined owners Michael and Jennifer Colbert $2,500 for discrimination.
When we talked to Jennifer Colbert last month, she made it clear they were going to fight the charge: "To me, you're applying this very specific letter of one little piece of law without looking at law in general and the bigger picture, the principle of the matter." On Thursday, though, they agreed to pay the fine, and will be undergoing "anti-discrimination training," which in their case we assume will include removing the letter "u" from words like "neighborhood" and learning to appreciate the art of the fake Customer Service Smile. The Colberts maintain that they didn't require the new employee be British and that it was just a bonus, but the HRC says they still violated city code prohibiting employers from putting out ads specifying any particular nationality. So so much for that Revolution: "Free speech is not so free after all it seems," the owners said in a statement today.
On the bright side, though, they did end up finding a new bartender: "She's Irish, supports Manchester United, is very much into football and is ideal," Jennifer Colbert told BBC, so cheers to that, mate, and come on, you reds!
Tagged
bay ridge
brits
brooklyn
hrc
jennifer colbert
longbow pub
michael colbert
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Why NYC restaurants are playing coy about sustainability
Though it has multiple benefits, the practice remains popular for one basic reason: it saves money.
By
Samantha Dady
Published Oct 26, 2026
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .