ALCHEMIST BAR SHUTS DOWN TO PAVE WAY FOR INVESTIGATIONS

After apologising over claims of racism that surfaced on social media over the weekend. Popular night club The Alchemist bar has announced that it is closing its doors.

In a statement issued Monday, the company said it is to pave the way for investigations by the Nairobi County Government, “After careful consultation with Nairobi County Government, The Alchemist has agreed to close its doors while a thorough investigation is conducted over the next few days.” read the statement. The county government seeks to investigate the following: 

1. Review the night of May 20th to determine if the guests in question were denied entry and if there was a policy in place to have separate lines for guests. Interviews with individuals in the video and review of footage throughout the entire evening.
2. Review The Alchemist, in general, to determine if there has ever been a policy of discrimination. Interviews and footage will be reviewed of the past events both at the gate and inside the establishment.
3. Review of the 3rd Party Security Services based on interviews and footage to determine what actions and recommendations should occur.

The Alchemist bar came under fire on Sunday after a video went viral online showing guards allegedly turning away customers for being black.

In the video posted on Twitter by @murgormurgor the bar’s bouncers were seen sending away black Kenyans at the entrance asking them to join the queue reserved for Kenyans of African descent according to the person who recorded the video. 

The management issued an apology to Kenyans, “The management of The Alchemist is aware of the video circulating and has reached out to the individuals to get more information. To anyone that has felt aggrieved, we sincerely apologise and we look forward to sitting down together and addressing these issues head-on. Since we opened our doors, The Alchemist has always been a home to creators, partners, musicians and customers from all different backgrounds,” the statement read.