Cork & Bull restaurant is under fire after an unfortunate incident on Nov. 6. The Chesapeake, Virginia, restaurant is being accused by nine Black friends of racial discrimination after they were allegedly told to leave after a fight broke out between two patrons who were not dining with their party.
Video footage obtained by WTKR shows two women engaged in a brawl before restaurant workers attempt to break them up. Before the video ends, an apparent employee summons someone “to call the police” after difficulty in getting the women apart.
Shakoya Somerville-Holt says shortly thereafter, she and her friend-group were told to leave by restaurant management, 13News Now reported.
“We didn’t even get our drinks, and a physical altercation happened between two African American women. We did not know them, we were not affiliated with them,” Somerville-Holt told the outlet.
When she questioned management on why they were asked to leave, Somerville-Holt states she was told: “No, we’re just not servicing you all because y’all like to fight.”
The Chesapeake NAACP and Virginia State Conference NAACP are now involved and the women are considering a course of legal action.
This might not end up well for Cork & Bull. The Napa Valley Wine Train learned a costly lesson about discrimination against Black women. In 2015, a group of Black women were wrongly removed from the train and met with police for “laughing” loudly as they celebrated a member’s birthday. The women say they were singled out and constantly told by train staff to “quiet down.” However, white patrons, who were also as loud or louder, were not, according to USA Today. Eight months later, the train company settled the $11 million racial discrimination case for an unspecified amount.
The Chesapeake NAACP urged the establishment to issue a public apology and shared the following statement, regarding the incident, on its website.
The NAACP Virginia State Conference and NAACP Chesapeake Branch stand united in our condemnation of the discriminatory actions that took place at Cork and Bull Chophouse on November 6, 2025. The treatment of nine Black women, who were unjustly asked to leave the restaurant after a fight that did not involve them, highlights ongoing issues of racial bias and discrimination in our community.
“This incident is a painful reminder that racism remains embedded in our daily lives. It is unacceptable for anyone to be judged or mistreated based solely on the color of their skin,” stated Rev. Cozy Bailey, President of the NAACP Virginia State Conference. “We must hold establishments accountable when they perpetuate racial stereotypes, and we call on the community to stand in solidarity with these women and demand justice.”
We urge the management of Cork and Bull to reflect on this incident and take steps to ensure that all patrons are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of race. Together, we will continue to fight against discrimination and work towards a more equitable society for all.
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