A Belgian tourist barred from a gay bar in Green Point, allegedly because of his skin colour, says he is thinking of suing, but the bar's owner says it may have been a case of mistaken identity.

The owner of popular gay bar Bronx, Bruno Bronn, says the tourist was "definitely not turned away because of his race" and it was "becoming fashionable to slate" the bar.

He said it was not the first time Bronx had faced racism allegations.

On Monday Aridi Amipi, 31, said he still felt "very bad" about being denied entry.

"On Saturday we went to Bronx. My white friend from England was admitted, but I wasn't. The doorman wouldn't tell me why. I showed my ID, but still I wasn't let in.

"A security guard said if I felt discriminated against, then I must sue the club. He was first to mention discrimination."

The next day, Amipi went to the Cape Town Central police station and officers took statements about the incident.

"I've never been made to feel so out of place. I may actually sue the bar. I'll first wait and see what explanation, if any, I get from the owners, though," he said.

Amipi's friend, who only gave his name as Lee, said it was not the first time he had seen a black person denied entry to the bar.

"When I take my black friends they get told only regulars are allowed. This is nonsense because my white friends who haven't been there before are allowed in."

Bronn acknowledged that Amipi may have been turned away by mistake, but said it was because a neighbouring shop-owner had pointed him out as "someone who brought in the wrong element" and who resembled a "problem client".

"We have to protect each other.

"This could have been a mistake. I'll contact (Amipi)."

Bronn said the club had at times experienced problems with pickpockets and vandalism.

He said he had often heard from people who were denied entry and "cried race", but said it was because they had behaved inappropriately.

Five years ago bouncers working at the club Sliver attacked Marcus Pillay, a coloured man, and his white partner, Pierre de Vos, outside the club after Pillay was denied entry.

The case was heard in the Equality Court, where Sliver acknowledged the attack had been racially motivated.

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