Scott Mason, owner of the Barley Pub on Central Avenue, was more amused than unnerved by the letter he received a few days before Christmas.

The letter, from Manchester resident Daniel Hynes, claimed a “lady’s night” special at the bar constitutes a violation of equal rights laws. The letter advised Mason to cease and desist, lest the owner face litigation. It also demanded he pay Hynes $2,000.
“My comment was kind of, ‘isn’t that extortion?’” Mason said.

Although Hynes recently graduated from law school and passed the bar exam, the letter did not indicate he was affiliated with any law office, Mason said. Police nabbed Hynes in Manchester for allegedly sending a very similar letter to a Concord hair salon that offered different prices to men and women.

The Barley Pub offers $1 beers and house wines to women from 9 p.m. to midnight every Monday. Mason does not believe the special violates any statute.

“I don’t believe it is illegal. My lawyer didn’t seem to think so either,” he said.

A nearly identical letter arrived at Jimmy’s Sports Bar on Mechanic Street, Mason noted. Hynes has not been charged in connection with either of the Dover letters, but Mason said he plans to send his letter to the Attorney General’s Office.
The letter did not ruffle too many feathers at the pub.

“It was amusing, and it makes for good over-the-bar conversation,” Mason said.