A London club has denied claims that it refused NFL player Mark Ingrams and three of his New Orleans Saints team-mates entry for being “too urban”.

Running back Ingram, a first-round draft pick in 2011, alleged on Twitter that Cirque Le Soir in Soho had stopped the 27-year-old, Sterling Moore, Vonn Bell and BW Webb, along with two others, from entering their premises despite the fact they had reservations.

Writing on his Twitter account, Ingram said: “They told us they were ‘6 big guys’ that are too ‘Urban’ but nobody taller than 5’11!! cc:saints roster”.

Ingram, who is 5ft 9in, then uploaded a picture of the group:

In a statement posted on social media on Tuesday afternoon, Cirque Le Soir said Ingram and his companions had been refused entry because they were in an all-male group.

The club said: “We would not dismiss anyone as ‘too urban’ and we would not turn anyone away on the basis of their ethnicity, sexuality or any other characteristic”, apart from those specified in the club’s door policy. This discourages “casual dress code, intoxicated customers & male heavy entourages”.

The club added: “Discretion lies with our door staff and while we sympathise with Mark and his friends we fully support our employees’ right to challenge groups that do not adhere to our door policy. Admitting an all-male group goes against our policy.”

The club invited Ingram “and his friends – male and female” to visit next time they visit London.

On its website Cirque Le Soir claims to be “London’s most A-list club and decadent circus”, while it lists a host of celebrities who have attended the venue including Super Bowl LI half-time act Lady Gaga, actor Leonardo Di Caprio and rapper Kanye West.

The NFL is currently on an off-season break after the Super Bowl earlier this month, but the Saints quartet were over in the capital ahead of their trip later in the year when they will face the Miami Dolphins at Wembley.

Ingram’s story brought responses from a number of other NFL players, many of whom are due to play in London next year, including Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills, Arizona Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson and Baltimore Ravens tight end Benjamin Watson.

Watson, a former team-mate of Ingram’s at New Orleans, tweeted: “Not too urban for NFL to have us performing over there tho.”

In a series of tweets Ingram, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2009, stressed he had otherwise enjoyed his trip. The former Alabama running back has travelled to Ashbourne in Derbyshire to watch the annual Royal Shrovetide football match.

Ingram tweeted: “Nonetheless we all can’t wait to play out here NFLUK next season!!! Gonna be crazy experience and I’m excited about it! I love England!

“Everyone in England has been amazing so far!!! This was our first TooUrban encounter entire trip! I love England! TooUrban”

In 2015 the nearby Soho club Dstrkt was the target of protests after allegations that its door staff had barred a group of women from entry because on the grounds that their skin was too dark and they were overweight. The protests became the focal point for a debate about racism in clubbing.

The Guardian has contacted all three players for comment.