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Restaurants with Dress Codes: Take Back The Night!

Bounder

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I want to compile a list of restaurants that still have actual dress codes. By this I mean a jacket or -- if any still exist -- a jacket and tie. Restaurant "dress codes" like "clean trainers" are just too painful to contemplate.
What got me going is an experience I had last night. There is a restaurant that I have gone to on occasion. It didn't have an actual dress code but it had a very pleasant, wood-paneled space and decent food. I wouldn't really call it elegant but it was . . . nice. Well, I dropped in last night and the management had decided to effectively turn it into a sports bar. They had put flat-screen TVs everywhere. I could see -- in fact I could not avoid seeing -- six from where I was sitting. These TVs had been cleverly positioned throught the restuarant so that there was no place whatsoever -- including the bathroom -- where they were not visible. I was unthrilled. But I have noticed this trend towards sportsbarification, especially lately. Well, it's time for the counter-revolution. Somehow, someway, we have to preserve at least the possibility of enjoying a sense of occasion. Everything need not be reduced to the lowest common denominator.
So please list restaurants that have actual dress codes. They need not be where you live. I am particularly curious if anyone has run across a restaurant applying an economics approach to dress codes, e.g. offering a 10% discount if you were a jacket and an additional 5% if you wear a tie. I've always thought this would be great. To get started, here are a couple I can think of off the top of my head. I think these only require jackets, though you certainly see a lot of ties as well.
Charleston, South Carolina The Chop House, Savannah's
Chicago Spiaggia, Tru
Colorado Springs, Colorado The Broadmoor
Dixville Notch, New Hampshire (Also the first place to vote in a U.S. presidential election -- I've got to visit this place.) The Balsams
London Wiltons, Le Gavroche, Ritz, Le Caprice
Mackinac Island, Michigan Grand Hotel, Homestead
New Orleans Galatoire's
New York Per Se, Upstairs at 21 (21 Club), Auavit, La Grenouille, Le Perigord, The Carlyle (Carlyle Hotel)
Paris L'Astrance
Philadelphia Fountain Restaurant at the Four Seasons
San Diego Old Trieste
San Francisco/Napa Valley Benu, French Laundry, Masa's, Tommy Toys
Seattle Canlis
Washington DC Prime Rib, Marcel's
White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia Greenbriar
Wilmington, Delaware Domaine Hudson (Apparently offers discounts to people wearing pocket squares!)
Editing History
1/31/11 -- Added Restaurants. Added cities. Removed Oak Room 8/1/11 -- Fixed Formatting, added restaurants. 8/31/11 -- Added Restaurants, Added Cities 10/21/11 -- Added restaurants. 4/12/12 -- Added restaurants. Added Cities.
 
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spider52

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Originally Posted by Bounder
To get started, here are a couple I can think of off the top of my head. I think these only require jackets, though you certainly see a lot of ties as well. London: Wiltons, Le Gavroche, Boston: The Oak Room New York: Per Se, 21 Club Washington DC: Prime Rib
The Oak Room does not require a jacket, and although does not prefer jeans, does not prohibit such.
 

Jermyn

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When I lived in New York, many restuarants I visited required a jacket:

Le Bernardin, most of Jean George's establishments and Per Se (as you mentioned).

Others, like Aquavit, had a business casual code and would tend to seat you in a nicer dining room if you were dressed decently.

I have only recently moved to London but am expecting things to be much the same here.
 

Blackhood

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The Ritz is a mandatory Coat and Tie affair.

Every single Club (as in The Garrick, Oxford & Cambridge, Conservative et al) is Tie at minimum.

Its tough getting served in many of the decent restaurants without a tie.

Interestingly the Wolsley, despite being a very classy establishment only implements a dress code which states "Anything smart or fashionable" but due to the limited seating, if you'r under 25 and not famous, you'd better suit up.
 

Recoil

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21 Club does not require a jacket. Upstairs at 21 requires a jacket, but not a tie (and I suspect if you're a paying customer they'd let you slide). When I attended at Upstairs everyone did have a jacket, 50% with ties. I made a tread about this for Toronto and despite my extensive search I have yet to find a restaurant that requires a tie AND jacket. I've found a few that request a jacket. I've found NONE that enforce any type of dress code, i.e. every nice restaurant I've ever eaten in in Toronto I've seen at least one person in jeans.
 

dragon8

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Napa Valley-French Laundry
San Francisco-Tommy Toys and Benu
 

Viral

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who cares? restaurants (and their customers) should focus on the food........but that would be too logical, right?
 

dragon8

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Originally Posted by Viral
who cares? restaurants (and their customers) should focus on the food........but that would be too logical, right?

Thats Las Vegas!
 

Trenditional

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Originally Posted by Viral
who cares? restaurants (and their customers) should focus on the food........but that would be too logical, right?

If you just want the food, order it to go. I wish more restaurants still required proper dress. I don't like the notion..."I'm paying for it, I can wear what I want." The restaurant is not your home, show some respect to the owner by dressing appropriately. For the owner's, demand some respect for your establishment instead of giving in, just for the sake of making money.
 

Viral

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Originally Posted by Trenditional
If you just want the food, order it to go. I wish more restaurants still required proper dress. I don't like the notion..."I'm paying for it, I can wear what I want." The restaurant is not your home, show some respect to the owner by dressing appropriately. For the owner's, demand some respect for your establishment instead of giving in, just for the sake of making money.

Respect to the owner??? How about the owner thanking their lucky stars people are still eating out in the midst of a recession? Are you a restaurant owner?

Nothing wrong with dressing up on your own accord for a night out/date/anniversary/etc., but to demand it???

G/L with that, buddy.
frown.gif
 

intent

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lurker[1].gif
 

Viral

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Originally Posted by intent
lurker[1].gif


don't get too comfortable........the show is over
smile.gif
I don't get into e-debates!

This, like many threads on SF, is going nowhere.......
 

unholythree

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Originally Posted by bleachboy
Galatoire's!
The only such restaurant left in new Orleans. Sadly, Commander's Palace is now: "No shorts. Jackets preferred at dinner." according to their website. It seems everyone is now catering to tourists with no desire to dress up.
 

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