Rrazz Room Accuses SF Hotel Nikko Of Racism In Lawsuit Over Lease
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - Rrazz Entertainment, which ruins the Rrazz Room night club in San Francisco's Hotel Nikko, is suing the hotel, alleging racism in the ending of the club's lease, according to a published report.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported the lawsuit claims the Nikko wouldn't extend the Rrazz Room's lease because the shows brought too many African Americans into the hotel.
The Rrazz Room, which will close after a New Year's Eve concert, had featured jazz, R&B and cabaret artists since 2008.
The Chronicle said the lawsuit claims Hotel Nikko management asked Rrazz to reduce the number of R&B acts because the hotel did not want to attract "a certain 'demographic' that rhythm-and-blues acts were drawing."
A spokeswoman for Hotel Nikko denied the claim, telling the Chronicle the decision to not renew the contract with Rrazz Entertainment " has nothing to do with race or the type of people attending the shows."
The spokeswoman told the Chronicle its contract with Rrazz needed to change for financial reasons but Rrazz would not compromise, and that the hotel has a long history of having diverse entertainment.
The owners of the Rrazz Room are opening a new club called Live at the Rrazz in January in the AMC movie theater complex at 1000 Van Ness Ave.
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