Tattooed Texas Man Kicked Out Of Restaurant For Having Facial Tattoos, Fires Back Via Facebook

Erik Leighton stopped by Bombshells in Houston, Texas after going to concert with friends. They’d reportedly had a great night, but a disheartening turn of events changed the dynamic of their evening. According to the Houston Chronicle, Leighton never got a chance to eat at the Houston “breastaurant” because he and his friends were kicked out. He and his friends were approached by a Houston police officer.

The officer stated that management had requested they leave. He was reportedly told his facial tattoos weren’t allowed due to a tattoo policy that is only enforced at that particular Bombshells location. Leighton has small tattoos above his left eye, under his right eye and under his lips. Due to recent gang activity in the area, Leighton’s facial tattoos reportedly raised concerns. The officer then proceeded to escort them out of the establishment. Of course, Leighton was outraged about the embarrassing encounter. He also found it relatively odd that he’d be kicked out of the restaurant and bar, because Bombshells compares to restaurants like Hooters, Twin Peaks, and Buffalo Wild Wings.

So, he took to Facebook to voice his concerns.

“Well f— bombshells! They just kicked me out for having face tattoos,” Leighton wrote on Facebook March 7.

According to New York Daily News, he took to Facebook again the following day with a detailed post about the disheartening ordeal. “If anyone has time, do me a favor and write a terrible review for bombshells,” he wrote the next day. “Let’s make them think twice before discriminating against tattoos.”

Erik Leighton, who was refused service at #Bombshells for face tattoo, is on the Todd and Don Show NOW! Listen 99.7FM pic.twitter.com/Yes4jgURpF

— News Radio KLBJ (@NewsRadioKLBJ) March 11, 2015

His post and request definitely didn’t go unnoticed because social media users began flooding the restaurant’s Facebook page. Bombshells has received such an overwhelming number of complaints about discrimination that they’ve been forced to deactivate the Facebook page. However, that hasn’t stopped social media users from voicing their concerns elsewhere. The restaurant’s Yelp page has also been flooded with a staggering number of negative comments and reviews. But, surprisingly, many social media users have mixed opinions about the ordeal. While many agree the restaurant should not have asked Leighton to leave, others have argued that he should have considered the possibility of such consequences when he opted to get the tattoos.

Here are some of the comments that have been posted on other social media sites and news outlets:

“Those are supposed to be “gang” tattoo’s, flowers and hearts and such?! What idiots, they deserve all the negative PR just for ignorance! I can safely say we don’t have any gangs in MT (they just aren’t man enough for the cold around here lol) but even I know what gang tat’s look like lol.”

“I think it is kind of hypocritical for an establishment to judge people who have face tattoos…and it calls itself a “breastaurant”. It’s a bar, with chicks who have their breasts out, and serves alcohol, in an area, that is not necessarily the safest… um, no one told them that this concept would probably bring in those they don’t want there?”

During a brief interview, Leighton recounted his interaction with the police officer and how it felt to be escorted out of the restaurant. “I honestly thought he was joking, but he said he was serious,” said Leighton. “It makes you feel like less of a person when you’re escorted out for no reason.” Leighton also shared a number of quick details about himself. Surprisingly, there is reportedly nothing about him that insinuates gang affiliation. “I have no criminal record,” said Leighton. “I work hard at a plant. I have two cats. I’m the furthest thing from a gang member.”

“I know what I did by getting myself tattooed on my face and neck. It’s a lifestyle choice. But I work at a plant and they hired me and they took a chance on me. I understand I look different and that I took things to a whole level by getting these tattoos.”

“I’m not really upset now; I’m more or less trying to get the policy changed and bring attention to the problem”

What do you think about Erik Leighton being kicked out of the restaurant for his tattoos? Share your thoughts.

[Image(s) via KHOU, Facebook]