Last night I went to a local bar, one that I had not been to and one I probably wouldn’t go to as it was on the other side of town had a friend not invited me to celebrate her birthday. When I got to the bar, there was a sign posted out front, Dress Code, among the list of unacceptable items were

  • Jerseys
  • Overly baggy clothing
  • Shirts not tucked in
  • Jackets (must be checked in at coat-check)
  • Hiking boots
  • Hats

I’m in my late 20’s, went in wearing a pair of dark denim jeans (nearly black), black hooded zip up sweatshirt, fresh haircut and a pair of fresh black sneakers.

There were more items listed, however I didn’t read the entire list. I get up to the goofballs who are checking ID’s and get my wallet out, as I’m doing so, one of them stops me.

Sir, I saw you read the dress code and I can’t let you in, you have a logo on your sweatshirt.

I point out to him that the sign says nothing about logos.

Well you are wearing sneakers, we don’t allow that.

OK, the guy in front of me got in wearing a long sleeve T-shirt that was not tucked in and hiking boots, but I didn’t bother to bring it up, maybe he got in because he was in his mid to late 30’s and I still pass for early to mid 20’s. I also don’t wear jackets into clubs or bars because I never did trust coat check. I turned around and started to walk out, while sending a text message to my friend wishing her a happy birthday and letting her known I was kicked out.

Now I freely admit I am the worst person a bar wants to come in, I don’t drink. I’m just one more person in the bar not spending money, but these guys didn’t know that. I did have intentions of spending some money that night for my friend’s celebrations.

What bothers me most is that I’ve been in some of the biggest, best and most legendary clubs in the northeast and never had an issue with anything; this was all in my late teens through mid twenties. Now I have too goons trying to tell me I don’t fit into their mold of what their cliental should look like? I should mention that this place holds maybe 150 people if it’s packed, it was less then half full at quarter till 11 at night. It’s also worth a mention that the bar is inside a Best Western Hotel in a smaller town, this isn’t New York City we are talking about.

A local bar inside a hotel, one would think they need as much business as possible, but apparently Best Western and the Bar With No Name inside it seem to want to pick and choose whom they let in. The impact of my denial entry is this blog, while small, it is still a voice. Dress codes have a time and a place, but when the bouncers who are in charge of them start to feel too powerful, it will end up hurting the establishment.

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