Posted on Mar 15, 2021
New Melbourne bar apologises as it closes due to 'horrific' theme
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"A Melbourne bar has been forced to close due to criticism levelled at its “horrific” choice of theme.
Rickshaw Bar posted on Instagram on Thursday it had closed its doors effective immediately due to complaints about its theme.
The bar had taken on a Vietnam War theme, according to art and culture magazine Liminal."
"Among the themes inside Rickshaw reportedly included beers filled with bullet shells and an orange decor, allegedly a reference to chemical Agent Orange which was used by the US military during the war.
The bar, in now deleted posts, also used photos from the war to promote its brand."
Rickshaw Bar posted on Instagram on Thursday it had closed its doors effective immediately due to complaints about its theme.
The bar had taken on a Vietnam War theme, according to art and culture magazine Liminal."
"Among the themes inside Rickshaw reportedly included beers filled with bullet shells and an orange decor, allegedly a reference to chemical Agent Orange which was used by the US military during the war.
The bar, in now deleted posts, also used photos from the war to promote its brand."
New Melbourne bar apologises as it closes due to 'horrific' theme
Posted from au.news.yahoo.comPosted in these groups: 
Vietnam War
Vietnam War
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 4
The bar deserved to close. Having an orange decor is no joke for those of us suffering from Agent Orange exposure.
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Sgt (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - I am sorry to hear that your Uncle was a casualty of Agent Orange.
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SFC Kelly Fuerhoff
Not just the war aspect - but it sounds like it mocked the Vietnamese who died as well. I just don't see how either owner thought it would be a good idea.
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SGT Lorenzo Nieto
Sometimes people just don’t think about what they do, I’m infected with agent orange and have lost many friends because of it, agent orange was not good for anyone maybe the owner should talk to some Vietnam veterans just might open his or her eyes.
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SSG Bill McCoy
I too have Agent Orange related health issues that are ongoing. I can't really say I fault the bar owners though - it isn't clear to me what their motives were/are. While the "orange" theme is a bit disturbing, I'm not certain that any of the rest was intended to be insulting to anyone. The article was just too vague; BUT I do wonder why the owner(s) didn't say WHY they chose such an atmosphere, or what their intent was. Two sides to every story and I have to wonder if, perhaps, the intent was to honor Aussie VN Vets?
No, I'm not saying it was a good theme, just that we don't have the owner's reasons. What seems to be NOT politically correct, just might have been another intent entirely. I did some research and publicly apologized.:
“We are saddened that our creative concept for our cool little bar has caused upset in the community, it was never intended this way,” Rickshaw Bar wrote in a statement issued to Broadsheet. “Upon reflection we have decided to revisit the fit-out for the venue and will make some changes to ensure Rickshaw Bar is a fun and friendly venue for people to come and enjoy our hospitality.”
Reading several articles however, there does seem to otherwise be a lot of "anti-Asian" sentiments that explain a lot of the angst. There were many posts & comments by Vietnamese as well and most cited the biases against them & not just the bar's issue.
No, I'm not saying it was a good theme, just that we don't have the owner's reasons. What seems to be NOT politically correct, just might have been another intent entirely. I did some research and publicly apologized.:
“We are saddened that our creative concept for our cool little bar has caused upset in the community, it was never intended this way,” Rickshaw Bar wrote in a statement issued to Broadsheet. “Upon reflection we have decided to revisit the fit-out for the venue and will make some changes to ensure Rickshaw Bar is a fun and friendly venue for people to come and enjoy our hospitality.”
Reading several articles however, there does seem to otherwise be a lot of "anti-Asian" sentiments that explain a lot of the angst. There were many posts & comments by Vietnamese as well and most cited the biases against them & not just the bar's issue.
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