Prominent Houston lawyer sues downtown nightclub, alleging he was denied entry because he's Black

A prominent Houston lawyer is suing a downtown nightclub, alleging that staff denied him entry based on his race and sex. William Powells, a local injury attorney and president/CEO of his own law firm, is suing the company that owns The Sugar Room for at least $500,0000, alleging that staff "acted with malice and/or reckless indifference" towards his rights and singled him out because he's an African American man. In a lawsuit filed in federal court, Powells said he was denied entry to the Washington Avenue cocktail bar and speakeasy lounge in September 2021 because he had "holes" in his jeans. The head of security allegedly told Powells that the club wants to have "a certain image" and is "very strict" on Saturdays.

Powells, who was at the club for a birthday party for his former client Cindy Martinez, told security that the "holes" in his jeans were actually patches, according to the lawsuit. He waited outside the club and shouted "Happy Birthday" from the street, according to the suit, and told the birthday celebrant that he couldn't get in due to his attire. As he stood there, Powells said he witnessed several other people pass him with holes in their jeans, both female and male, according to the lawsuit. He said he also saw non-African American males with casual attire, like open toe sandals and tennis shoes, allowed entry. Powells then began recording video on his cell phone and asked to speak to a manager, the lawsuit states. Security allegedly told Powells that the manager was unavailable and refused to share his contact information. When confronted with Powell's documented observations of others entering the club, the head of security told Powell "well we aren't perfect and denied seeing people admitted with holes in their pants, the lawsuit states. Security also allegedly said that the rules don't apply to women.