The Bars are Falling

Summary

The Selangor Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, historically barred women from the Long Bar, but in October 2023, this 139-year-old tradition was challenged when a female bartender was hired, and shortly thereafter, the ban was lifted, pending approval from the Registrar of Society.

Abstract

The article discusses the recent change in a longstanding tradition at the Selangor Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where women were previously prohibited from entering the Long Bar. The author, who visited the club in July 2022 and again in October 2023, experienced this exclusion firsthand. Despite the presence of a female bartender, the author was asked to leave the Long Bar area, adhering to the 139-year-old rule. However, the club's ban on women was lifted on October 22, 2023, a significant step towards gender equality in the establishment. This decision is pending final approval by the Registrar of Society, which is expected to be a formality. The author remains hopeful that upon their next visit, women will be welcomed to enjoy the Long Bar alongside men without any restrictions.

Opinions

The author acknowledges the personal and historical significance of the Selangor Club, which motivates their visits despite the exclusionary rule.
The hiring of a female bartender within the Long Bar is seen as a progressive step, albeit one that initially did not alter the no-female patron rule.
The author expresses a mix of frustration and understanding regarding the traditional restrictions, recognizing the challenge of changing deep-rooted customs.
There is an evident sense of anticipation and optimism about the future of gender inclusion at the Selangor Club following the recent decision to lift the ban.
The author implies that the ban's lift is not just a victory for gender equality but also a reflection of the evolving social norms and expectations within the club and the broader society.

Could I have a drink, please?

At the Long Bar (author’s photo)

Gerad Carrier and our friend, George, sit at the Long Bar at the Selangor Club in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. I could sit outside on the adjacent patio in the Long Bar, but I was not allowed in the Long Bar itself. No Females allowed. That was in July 2022.

(Author’s photo)

Why go to the Selangor Club at all? It is a beautiful building with a long history. It has a personal history for my husband, Gerad too. When he was in business in Kuala Lumpur in the 70s he regularly visited the Long Bar for social business connections. We still visit when we are in Kuala Lumpur because it has good food and it is a beautiful and convenient location.

Selangor Club (photo by author)

We were in Kuala Lumpur again in October of this year. We got our temporary membership established and walked back to the patio and Long Bar area again. Interesting. There was a female bartender in the Long Bar. I stepped into the area with Gerad thinking we could order a drink.

The female bartender quickly came out from behind the bar to tell me that women were not allowed in the Long Bar area. I stepped back out to the patio area. Several exclamations flashed through my mind, but I silenced them and just stepped out.

I recognized that I could not fight 139 years of tradition. I also recognized that for her to be hired as a bartender in the Long Bar it meant she was expected to follow the rules no matter how ridiculous they were.

“The Long Bar at the Royal Selangor Club was off limits to women for 139 years purportedly because men ‘would drink and get very excited when they watched the games and they didn’t want the ladies to see their exuberant behaviour, hence it was decided to ban women visitors from the Long Bar.” (source)

We left Kuala Lumpur on the morning of October 22, 2023. Why is that significant??? Because we read later that day that on October 22, 2023, the Selangor Club ban on women in the Long Bar was lifted. Women can now drink in the Long Bar.

Well, not quite yet. the ban is still in place until the constitutional amendment is approved by the Registrar of Society.

“It shouldn’t take too long for the RoS to provide its approval, and it will be a short wait for women before they can sit at the Long Bar, shoulder-to-shoulder with men,” noted a member. (source)

Still, I have hope that by the time we return to the Selangor Club I will be able to sit shoulder-to-shoulder at the Long Bar without disturbing the emotional well-being or behavior of the men at the bar.