Chatterbox Bar Adds Security

Source: WISH-TV / WISH-TV

INDIANAPOLIS –The owner of Chatterbox, a jazz bar in the Mass Ave Cultural District, claims the bar was set up Friday when people wearing “Make America Great Again” hats confronted a bartender.

The incident, captured in a video shared online, shows only part of the encounter, according to owner David Andrichik. He said the group aggressively misgendered the bartender, who refused to serve them.

“We were set up. This was a plan to do something like this. We don’t believe the people that came in to instigate even knew what Chatterbox was, but they came in because of our pride flag,” which is displayed outside the jazz bar.

Elise Hensley, who recorded the video, denied causing any issues, claiming she and her friends were kicked out for wearing Trump hats, despite supporting the LGBTQ community.

“There was no intent, ill intent, for me to start anything with anyone at that place. We got kicked out because of a Trump hat. I have lots of gay friends. I have lots of trans friends,” she said.

Indiana University law professor Steve Sanders stated the bar did not break any laws.

“A business can exclude someone for disruptive behavior,” he said.

The club is now taking extra precautions to keep people safe in case anyone tries to come and retaliate against the bar because of what happened.