I think the idea is that even though when the bar is in the basement it’s still a joke to say it’s “controversial”.

In my white-collar career job I had bosses tell me that I shouldn’t complain about not being able afford rent without a roommate because [insert nonsense] and it’s like, is that the best they can do? They literally just looked at me like “we don’t respect you as a human being and refuse to have even the slightest ampunt of empathy” and then had the gall to squirm when I wouldn’t kiss their ass.

So yes, you’re right, but the joke isn’t quite going with that angle.