- The Detroit steakhouse tells customers that they smell of marijuana “don’t even think about getting in.”
- In a Facebook post, the Caucus Club in Detroit noted that its dress code policy is casual for business.
- The restaurant’s owner, George Sboukis, told WJBK that he did not intend to harm the post.
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A steakhouse in Detroit defends its dress code policy, which includes smelling marijuana.
In a Facebook post, the Caucus Club in Detroit wrote that its dress code policy is casual for business, reminding customers that “proper clothing is necessary”, and that includes smelling marijuana.
“Seriously, people, sweatshirts and T-shirts are not business suits. Nor are earplugs and sneakers,” says the caption. “More importantly, if you smell like marijuana, don’t even think about joining the Caucus Club.”
The restaurant owner, George Sboukis, told the WJBK that he didn’t want to do any harm in the mail and said “it was a reminder with a little sauce just to get people’s attention”.
“It is so poignant that some guests commented, ‘It looks like you are sitting next to a dead skunk,'” he told the local news agency.
Some Facebook users commented expressed their support for the restaurant’s decision, while others said the rule was racist.
“This is a veiled attempt at racism. Trying to outline a racial profile before your customers even show up?!?! Probably a kiss of death to the establishment. I will never eat there,” wrote one person.
“This is a coded language for racism and is likely to be used as a tool to prevent Black and POC Detroiter’s from dining here,” commented another user.
But Sboukis told WJBK that it is nothing like that.
“We had people celebrating their 50th (birthday) last week, the week before. They are getting dressed, they are putting on an evening dress, their earrings, their best suit,” explained Sboukis. “They are coming to celebrate and hope to be surrounded by like-minded guests.”
In Michigan, recreational use of marijuana is legal for all adults 21 and older, although state law prohibits smoking in public spaces, with residents encouraged to limit use in their homes or other private areas.
The Caucus Club did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for additional comments.