re: From the Rant - LSU fans not welcome at Harry T's in Destin

Just posted my review

Harry T's also responded on their Facebook.

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To the fans of LSU and other sports teams,
Harry T's has upset many LSU fans and I want to first apologize. It was not our intention to insult, alienate, or upset you. I would like to explain the reasoning behind the actions we took on Saturday.

Four college teams have approached us to be the "headquarters" of their alumni. The deal was we host their teams and they would bring all the alumni and all the business. And so we do, but it's not as black and white as that. As the General Manager, the one who worries about the bottom line, it's poor business practice. The football discounts are not profitable for the restaurant and all of the inside area is taken with the fans. So why do we do it? The owner has raised two young men who both attend college. He is a major contributor to their college and has a lot of respect for young people trying to do well. On these football days we raise money for scholarships for the respective schools. We have raised over $31,000 to date.

The Florida Gators were concerned with the actions of one individual last Saturday, one bad apple that tried to give all of LSU a bad name. That individual had threatened to send unknown persons in to physically attack some Gator fans. It was the president of the Gator Alumni that asked if we would keep the inside area for Gator fans only. We went next door to Jackacuda's and let them know we would send all the LSU fans there, so that everyone could enjoy their teams.
Anyone, football or not was welcome to sit on the patio outside. The weather was beautiful and it was sans any Gator activity. We had several guests wearing LSU garb enjoying their meals there. No one that I spoke to was upset about the limitations on the seating area.

Nick responded to one guest who was apparently treated poorly at the door Saturday night. This was, and is no, part of his responsibilities within the restaurant. He was an overzealous new manager, he has been since reprimanded and is no longer a manager at Harry T's. The part of his letter about trepidation over LSU fans was completely false. In fact, the owner's wife is from Louisiana and is herself an LSU fan.

Again, I apologize to Don and any LSU fans we may have ostracized. It has always been our intention to do good with the football games; raise money for kids and let everyone have fun. Everyone is welcome at Harry T's.

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According to Nick Empson's linkedin he's been a manager for seven years at Harry T's. Not a new over zealous manager

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According to Nick Empson's linkedin he's been a manager for seven years at Harry T's.

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The internet says he is 23 years old. His address is a $650k house. I would think it would be his parents home.

They are apologizing

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Way too late. Their internet reputation is toast!

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His use of caps lock is indeed condescending, and there is not much about public relations this guy wont know tomorrow morning.

Can we send them an LSU themed gift? Like a cake?

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jack & brandon at walk-ons

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I don't think Jack Warner has much $ interest in Walk-On's any more.

I think he has the 3rd street stuff: Roux House, Happy's, Schlitzz & Giggles

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They didn't close the place for a private party, which would have been fine. They were seating other patrons, just not LSU fans. Apparently, the Emerald Coast UF Alumni Association, as part of their reservation, specifically excluded fans of UF's opponents.



This fine too. I don't see what the uproar is about

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We used to reserve bars for private game day parties when the fraternity was on probation and couldn't have house parties. Had a lot of issues at the door with people who thought it was stupid that we rented the place out. Difference is we rented the entire place out and had discretion over who was let in. It was a fully private event.

This doesn't really set me off and it's obviously not on the same level, but what if I asked them to have a party, but I didn't want any blacks or gays to be let in? Obviously LSU fans don't see the day to day discrimination of those groups, but it automatically makes you think "that is discrimination and it is wrong". This is a pretty discriminating practice as well. I want to use your restaurant, but don't let THOSE people in. Again, personally doesn't offend me, but that just seems like an awkward business practice and if I was the actual person turned away, I'd be embarrassed by the managers actions and would definitely not ever go there again.