Sage Sociology Socius - Antiblack Discrimination in Public Accommodations: Differential Drink Pricing in Urban Nightclubs
Nov 13, 2025
Reuben A. Buford May, a sociologist from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, delves into the troubling world of antiblack discrimination in urban nightclubs. He reveals startling findings on how Black men often face higher drink prices compared to their white counterparts. Through his fieldwork in Chicago, he uncovers systemic practices affecting Black patrons, highlighting multiple forms of discrimination beyond just isolated incidents. The study not only sheds light on these issues but also emphasizes the economic and social importance of urban nightclubs.
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Public Accommodations Aren't Fully Equal
- Public accommodations are privately owned but publicly accessible spaces like nightclubs and restaurants.
- The Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination there, but access and treatment can still differ in practice.
Nightclubs Matter To Cities
- Urban nightclubs shape urban life, economics, and amenities that attract residents and visitors.
- Their corporate scale and role in city amenities make discriminatory practices especially consequential.
Water And Ice Sparked The Inquiry
- Early fieldwork showed bartenders charging Black patrons for water while White patrons weren't charged.
- Receipts later revealed unusual charges like $2 for ice on some patrons' bills, prompting systematic study.