A bar has come under fire after hosting a coronavirus-themed party with the promise of rewarding attendees with free face masks.
As Banbury-based Fitzgerald’s Irish Bar in Australia promised, their one-of-a-kind event would be the “sickest night of the year,” whereas attendees would not only get free face masks but would also be offered Corona beer for $6 a bottle.
On their social media, the bar owners even went as far as sharing an image of Corona beer with a face mask in an attempt to promote their party.
“There’s been a LOT of talk about Corona and to be honest it’s made us pretty thirsty. We’ve heard Corona is pretty popular at the moment. We’re not sure why though, it’s just beer isn’t it?” the event description read.
“$6 CORONA’S ALL NIGHT THIS SATURDAY. We dare you to find a better special. We (sort of) promise they aren’t contaminated.”
After the ad went viral, some people were quick to take it as a joke while others said that joking about the deadly virus that claimed hundreds of lives is “disrespectful” and “disgusting.”
Just days earlier, another bar in New Zealand was slammed by the public after they came up with coronavirus-themed ads to promote their special Corona deal that offers a discount on the beer brand while the outbreak lasts.
The bar behind the controversial promotion is Hamilton-based House on Hood which offers discounted Corona beers “while the pandemic lasts.”
“Virus or no virus, we still think Coronas are pretty great, so while the pandemic lasts, we’re selling Coronas for just $6.50, all day, every day,” the owners of the bar wrote in their Facebook post along with a picture of two men in hazmat suits holding the Mexican beer.
“Mention your corona loving mates to let them know about this great deal and you could be sharing a free one-meter pizza this Friday at House.”
After the controversial post went viral, however, not everyone thought it was funny whereas some people branded it “insensitive” and “disturbing.”
Following the outrage, John Lawrenson, the CEO of the group that owns the bar in question, spoke out and said that the problem is in “small but loud minority of people who get offended by everything.”
“So I’d just like to say thanks to all the snowflakes for the free advertising and thanks to everyone else with a sense of humor who liked the post,” Lawrenson said.
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Replaced!