Beer Me

Stoddard’s Friday Club Gets In On the Beer Summit Action

Beer diplomacy: so hot right now.
Beer diplomacy: so hot right now. Photo: Getty Images

Stoddard’s Fine Food & Ale is following in President Obama’s diplomacy footsteps by inviting representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Organization for Women for a beer summit to smooth ruffled feathers over the controversy about the restaurant’s aborted plans for a private men-only club. “The Friday Club was never intended to be a gentlemen-only club,” spokesperson Nicole Russo tells us. “The phrase ‘gentlemen-only’ referred to the space’s history.”

The beer summit, says Russo, “is to clear the air and explain what the concept really is.” The meeting is set to take place at The Ivy on Thursday. NOW State Director Christina Knowles tells us that “Mass NOW really appreciates the invitation. We do think the original policy was a bad policy and we’re glad that they changed the policy so it no longer discriminates on the basis of gender and sex. As for attending, we’re still looking at our schedule.” The ACLU’s spokesperson did not return calls for comment.

Earlier: Stoddard’s Friday Club Will Not Be Men-Only
Is Stoddard’s Men-Only Club Legal?

Stoddard’s Friday Club Gets In On the Beer Summit Action