A former journalist is questioning the policy of a new nightclub after being denied access to its VIP lounge.

Ayo Johnson, who now works for Government?s Information Services department, said he went to Square One on Front Street on Friday night where he had agreed to meet some friends.

Mr. Johnson said he was refused entry to the VIP lounge by a bouncer who claimed that the owner only ?allowed certain types of people? in that part of the club.

Mr. Johnson said he explained that he was part of a larger group, some of who had just been allowed in ahead of him.

?He (the bouncer) then spouts off the rules including that VIPs book the room and buy bottles of champagne,? he said.

Mr. Johnson said none of the so-called ?rules? applied to ZBM news anchor Kim Wheddon who had been allowed to enter the VIP lounge ahead of him.

Mr. Johnson said she came out to find him and informed the bouncer that he was with her.

But Mr. Johnson said he was already upset by the incident and instead went over to the bar where he told the bartender what had happened.

The bartender then called the manager, Ross Middleton.

Mr. Johnson said the manager?s approach to the situation was even more disturbing.

?He attempted to justify the bouncer?s comments by saying that what he really meant was that the room was for people who had a wristband on. The wristbands supplied by the same bouncer,? he said.

Mr. Johnson said he asked the manager what he meant by ?only certain types of people? but the manager offered no explanation.

?I then explained to him that if by certain types of people he meant black people, dressed in jeans and t-shirt, with locks, I personally had no problem with it because I don?t want to spend my money where I?m not wanted, but it?s only fair that they display a notice to that effect. Which of course would be illegal,? he said.

He said he stood waiting for his other friends to arrive when Jon Legere walked in with a group. Mr.Johnson said he told them the same story, but when Mr. Legere walked up to the bouncer, he was allowed the enter the VIP room.

He said they pointed over to him at the bar and said he was with them, but still the bouncer would not let him in.

?Most of my friends, all white, are in the VIP room, but I?m not allowed in without an explanation, even when they vouch for me,? he said.

Mr. Johnson said he never accused the club of being racist, even though he was the only black person in the group and was the only one denied access, but he deserved an explanation.

?The irony was that I invited about eight people to go to the place in the first place,? he said.

?Perhaps the most disturbing thing about is that none of my alleged friends actually stood up to the establishment. They recognised the thing as unjust and went in anyway,? he said.

Mr. Johnson said he felt it was in the public interest for Square One to explain publicly what the policy was on its so-called VIP room.

?And perhaps examine the responsibility of white folks in addressing what they themselves see as racism,? he said.

Mr. Johnson said he finished his drink and headed out to see another group of people heading in as arranged.

?So I tell them not to go in because of what just happened and the place was crowded anyway, so we all leave,? he said.

He added that Nicollette Reiss overheard him telling the story and told him that she had had exactly the same experience recently when she was entering the club with a black friend.

Meanwhile chief reporter Cathy Stovell, said she recently visited the club with a friend and, despite the fact that the club was not busy, they were never served. She said waitresses just walked around without actually doing anything.

?I was with a very dark skinned gentleman at the time and none of the waiters would serve us drinks,? she said.

Square One management refused to comment.