A MAN who claims he went from being "treated like a VIP" in his local pub to being told he is no longer welcome to return has hit out against the ban, insisting he is simply being discriminated against for his self-described "strange" looks.
Bearded and long-haired Nicolai Gamulea Schwartz, 50, says his local's attitude towards him changed after he stopped offering professional photography services for free – and now he has been banned for "creepy" behaviour towards women.
Nicolai was asked to leave his favourite bar, The Polar Bear, in Hull after some women complained that his behaviour made them feel uncomfortable.
"I got banned from my favourite pub because, allegedly, some female customers have complained that I was creepy and stood too close to them on the dance floor," Nicolai said.
"I may look strange with my long hair and beard, and people sometimes do say that I look scary, but I'd never do anything inappropriate to upset someone, so being kicked out with no warning is so shocking.
I may look strange with my long hair and beard, and people sometimes do say that I look scary
"I wasn't even given the chance to explain myself or apologise when the event allegedly happened – I just got told by bouncers the next time I walked in [to The Polar Bear] that I couldn't go there anymore."
Nicolai explained that he felt that he had done nothing wrong, "I know that I did not do any touching, twerking, talking, or making sexual advances, jokes. I wasn't rude, or displaying threatening body language, or even drunk and starting fights," he said.
"There was no breaking of glassware on my part, no puking, no p***ing or drawing on the wall. No.
"Simply by being there, in their proximity and doing nothing, I was 'creepy' and for that I got banned from The Polar Bear completely out of the blue, with no warning whatsoever.
"I used to be treated as a VIP there while I was offering them professional photography work for free, but then I stopped doing that and I was instantly demoted to 'tolerated'.
"But in the long run, middle aged foreign male creeps who do nothing can't be tolerated forever, can they?
"It's really upsetting – I feel hurt and have friends that always go there that I won't be able to see."
According to their Facebook page, The Polar Bear has been going since the 1840's and claims to have represented "every facet of Hulls unique nightlife" at some point during its lifetime.
The Polar Bear describe themselves as "A unique venue set within the surroundings of a traditional boozer," and "a hub for Hull’s creative types" boasting "an enviable roster of DJ’s each with monthly offerings provide a diverse range of nights to suit all music tastes."
The Sun Online has contacted The Polar Bear for comment.
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