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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Prison-themed bar to open in east London - AIBU?

51 replies

Pariswhenitdrizzles · 29/09/2017 14:27

AIBU to think setting up a prison-themed bar really isn't a good idea?

The idea behind the bar, which is Alcatraz-themed (and in east London, natch), is that customers dress up in orange jumpsuits to replicate the experience that Alcatraz prisoners may have had.

Customers are also asked to bring along their own alcohol, which will be made into cocktails for them at the bar. They'll also pay £30 just to stay there for 1 hour 45 minutes.
As well as being a rip-off, it really seems offensive.

www.theguardian.com/society/2017/sep/29/alcotraz-alcatraz-east-london-bar-san-francisco-jail

AIBU?

OP posts:
RunningOutOfCharge · 29/09/2017 14:29

Offensive?

Vonklump · 29/09/2017 14:30

That is distasteful beyond belief.

Original poster
Pariswhenitdrizzles · 29/09/2017 14:32

How isn't it offensive Running? I really don't think I'm being precious here. I think it's disgusting. And charging people for it as well is insane.

In the article I've linked it to, they also speak to someone who's been in prison in Britain. They talk a bit about what it's like, and it sounds absolutely horrific.

OP posts:
Wheresmytaco · 29/09/2017 14:35

offensive or not it sounds shit and so cringey

Original poster
Pariswhenitdrizzles · 29/09/2017 14:37

Agree taco - it does sounds shit and cringey too. Very 'east London' (sorry - I just think all of the hipster stuff is utter bollocks).

OP posts:
everybodysang · 29/09/2017 14:37

There's a prison-themed restaurant (in the old magistrates court) in my town. I think it's beyond distasteful. Their tag line is 'food worth doing time for'. Grim.

Original poster
Pariswhenitdrizzles · 29/09/2017 14:50

everybody that sounds awful.

OP posts:
MrsPicklesonSmythe · 29/09/2017 15:29

I think it sounds shit and won't last more than a month or so, so not much point getting riled up about it really.

AlexaAmbidextra · 29/09/2017 15:43

Typical, Brick Lane. Not offensive, just a load of expensive bollocks.

Maudlinmaud · 29/09/2017 15:52

That'll be the hipsters and their try hard alternative pretentious nonsense again. It'll pop up and then pop off. Yawn.

Ttbb · 29/09/2017 15:52

Sounds like a very stupid idea-I don't think that cocktails featured in the Alcatraz experience and 2 hours isn't very long. I don't think that they'll stay open too long once the novelty wears off.

MrsJamesAspey · 29/09/2017 15:59

Pay £30 to put on a jumpsuit and speak to someone who has been in prison Grin or you could go and visit someone in wormwood scrubs for free and get to go into a real prison

sparechange · 29/09/2017 16:02

It isn't 'prison themed' though
It is Alcatraz themed. Alcatraz is a fairly significant cultural reference point, so it isn't that unusual that a bar would be themed around it

San Fran is stuffed full of Alcatraz-themed places
There is a restaurant in Liverpool called Death Row diner with a menu of death row meals
There is a prison museum in London where you can pose for official photos in the cells while wearing shackles
There are numerous 'escape room' games based on escaping from prison...

Is this really much different to any of those?

Ginorchoc · 29/09/2017 16:10

There is a hotel in the U.K somewhere where I drive past can never remember the name and the hotel rooms are the old preserved cells, not my bag but must be someone's I guess. Reading the article it sounds like they are trying to elmulate the movie scene cult.

sparechange · 29/09/2017 16:20

Gin
The Malmaison Hotel in Oxford is in a converted prison...

RunningOutOfCharge · 29/09/2017 16:27

sparechange awww you are spoiling the op’s outrage by finding examples of similiar already in operation

Trills · 29/09/2017 16:33

How do you feel about pirate-themed things?

We have pirate-themed birthday parties for children but they were at the very least armed robbers and some of them were murderers and rapists.

coddiwomple · 29/09/2017 16:38

If you don't like it, don't go. If they can't find the clients, they will shut down.

I fail to see what is offensive.

BluthsFrozenBananas · 29/09/2017 16:46

I did the Alcatraz tour this summer, it was quite a revelation. Alcatraz really wasn't the hell hole i had pictured it as, frankly compared to the US jails of today (or at least the ones I've seen on TV) it wasn't a bad place to be, it was mostly just very boring being locked up there. Also apparently the food was pretty good, the first governor having taken the sensible line that well fed prisoners were less likely to riot. So the true Alcatraz experience would be a combination of decent food and boredom, and maybe a glass of home made 'wine' consisting of fruit peelings fermented in a plastic bag.

ScouseQueen · 29/09/2017 16:51

I was about to mention Death Row Diner sparechange! I haven't been because I don't like the idea but presumably it's getting custom.

I do see your point OP but then 'dark tourism' has become a bit of a thing and this seems akin to that. The one I really, really dislike is the Jack the Ripper museum. That to me seems to be glamorising extremely unpleasant and violent crimes towards women. At least the prisoners in Alcatraz were convicted criminals.

Anasnake · 29/09/2017 16:52

Didn't Tom Cruise's character work in a prison themed bar in Cocktail ?? !!

coddiwomple · 29/09/2017 16:57

OP you should try the "London Dungeon". Very tasteful! not

Fruitcocktail6 · 29/09/2017 17:01

I don't get why you're offended?

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 29/09/2017 17:38

If they can make money out of pretentious wankers by getting them to dress as twats, fair play to them.

coddiwomple · 29/09/2017 17:43

by getting them to dress as twats

not a very nice way to describe inmates Grin Grin Grin