Actor John Barrowman has claimed he was thrown from a restaurant in Tacoma, Washington on Friday night.
The 56-year-old Torchwood star had entered McMenamins Elks Temple with a friend hoping to grab some food.
However, what he described as “the strangest thing” was that he and his companion were apparently ushered out of the venue just minutes after entering.
The veteran actor posted a video on Twitter to explain the incident to his 480,000 followers.
He said a restaurant waiter ushered the couple to another restaurant in the franchise before convincing them they shouldn’t eat there either.
‘They kicked us out’: Actor John Barrowman has claimed he was ‘escorted out’ of a restaurant in Tacoma, Washington on Friday
John captioned the post, “Not a very good impression McMenamins.”
He continued, “We were kind of escorted out and politely told not to eat here.”
In the 43-second video, he gave more details, saying, “Hi everyone, the weirdest thing just happened to us.”
The Doctor Who graduate continued: ‘We are at McMenamins Elks Temple… and in a polite manner the gentleman led us from one restaurant to another.’ And he sort of persuaded us not to come in.’
He turned the camera on his guest, who said, “They kicked us out.”
John agreed, “They kicked us out.”
He ended his video by telling his followers, ‘So Tacoma… not a good recommendation.’ McMenamins…McNot.’
Fans quickly rallied around the star and showed their support.
Going out: The Torchwood star, 56, said he went to McMenamins Elks Temple with a friend in hopes of getting something to eat
“The strangest thing”: However, he explained that he and his companion were instead shown out of the premises by a staff member
“Not a very good impression”: John took to Twitter to explain the incident to his 480,000 followers
“They kicked us out”: His dinner guest agreed with John’s version of events in the Twitter video
‘McMenamins…McNot’: The ‘Doctor Who’ alum slammed the restaurant saying it was ‘not a good recommendation’
Solidarity: Fans quickly rallied around the star, with some even ready to boycott the chain
Two Sides: McMenamins was contacted for comment on the incident
One wrote: ‘Oh my god…I won’t be eating at any of your restaurants now, even in Woodinville!’ I’m sorry John!’
Another wrote: “I’m so sorry this happened to you John because you are a legend.” [and] off camera.’
A third said: “I’m so sorry you did that John.” Thank you for being a great celebrity today! It was great meeting you!’.
McMenamins is a family-owned chain of brewpubs, breweries, music venues, historic hotels and theater bars in Oregon and Washington.
A unique selling point of the company, which was founded in 1983, is that many of its operations are in renovated historic buildings.
At least nine of these are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Web has reached out to McMenamins for comment.
John apologized in 2021 after responding to historic claims of “inappropriate behavior” on the set of BBC drama Torchwood, an admission that led to his being banned from popular mainstream show Dancing On Ice.
In November 2021, John – who was replaced by Oti Mabuse at Dancing On Ice – insisted the controversy surrounding his previous antics was “overdone” as he gave his first interview since being fired.
In an interview with Lorraine, he said, “All the people making such a fuss weren’t there, they don’t know the context of things that were being done.”
Describing his past actions as “silly behavior,” John insisted he “would never do it now,” having previously worked on the set of Doctor Who, where he starred in 2005’s Captain Jack Harkness and the spin-off Series “Torchwood” began, having admitted “stupidity” a year later.
He explained, “I think if it were now, it would be crossing a line.” I think something that happened 15 years ago was offensive, goofy behavior that happened inside the set and we were like family who worked together.
“The fact that they were stories I’ve already told.” I’ve been telling them for years. I didn’t hide anything, they went overboard and they tried to turn it into sexual harassment, which is absolutely not the case.”
He added, “The only thing for me is that all the people making such a fuss about it weren’t there and don’t know the context of things that were being done.” The ongoing bashing isn’t good. We have moved on.
“Like I said, I would never do it now, but what we don’t allow people and myself … we don’t allow people to learn, to adapt and to change, and that’s the most important thing.”