A Detroit restaurant got some backlash on the internet this week after making an announcement about its dress code policy, including telling customers who “ smell like marijuana “to not even think about going in.”
Caucus Club Detroit in a Tuesday Facebook post wrote that “Business Casual is the minimum dress code that must be adhered to when dining” in the restaurant.
“Really people, hoodies and sweaters are not business attire,” noted the upscale eatery, adding that “ball caps” and “sneakers” would not be considered appropriate either.
“Most importantly, if you smell like marijuana, don’t even think about stepping into the Caucus Club,” the post added. “Keep in mind that strong ‘smells’ are unacceptable.”
The owner of the restaurant, George Sboukis, told the local Fox branch WJBK that the post was prompted by customers who came to the fine-dining establishment in more relaxed attire during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as complaints from some customers that other guests smelled of weed.
‘It’s so pungent,’ some guests said, ‘It smells like you’re sitting next to a dead skunk,’ ” he told the local news outlet.
He added that those who come to the restaurant should be willing to adhere to their clothing guidelines as well.
“We’ve had people celebrating their 50th birthday [anniversary] last week, the week before. They get dressed, they put on an evening dress, their earrings, their best suit, ‘Sboukis explained. “They’re coming out to celebrate and they expect to be surrounded by like-minded guests.”
While some Facebook users have expressed support for the restaurant’s post, one person said, “just because it is [marijuana] is legal .. you don’t have to show it off, ”others claimed the guidelines were racist.
This is coded language for racism and will likely be used as a tool to prevent Black and POC Detroiter’s from dining here, ”one person wrote. ‘Horrible decision to post such a post. You’ve lost so much business for such a ‘upscale’ restaurant you’d think there would have been more thought in a post like this. ”
However, Sboukis told WJBK that he “meant no harm”, adding that the Facebook post was “a reminder with a little bit of sauce to get people’s attention.”
In Michigan, recreational use of marijuana is legal for all adults 21 and older, although state law prohibits smoking in public areas, encouraging residents to limit use to their homes or other private spaces instead.