Can a restaurant turn away a customer for being poorly dressed?
Shorts, trainers and white socks in a restaurant. For some people, no problem. For others, an outfit that does not fit the atmosphere of certain establishments.
But did you know that, in Belgium, a restaurateur can set a dress code for customers?
The Fédération Horeca Bruxelles confirms this in a legal analysis published in April 2021: an establishment can refuse entry to someone whose clothing does not match its standards. However, this right remains subject to anti-discrimination legislation, notably the law of 10 May 2007.
How can a restaurateur introduce these rules?
The best way to avoid disputes is to be transparent.
A restaurateur who wants to require a particular standard of dress should clearly define the requirements, then communicate them before customers arrive: on the website, when taking reservations or at the entrance.
For example: ‘Smart dress required. Sports shorts, beachwear and flip-flops are not permitted.’
They must also make sure the rules are applied consistently to all customers, without discriminatory distinctions.
If someone is refused entry, it is important to explain clearly which dress requirement has not been met.
An experience that goes beyond the plate
Whether it is a brasserie, a traditional restaurant or a fine-dining establishment, every restaurant has its own identity.
A restaurateur who takes care over the décor, service and atmosphere is offering more than a meal. They are creating an experience in which customers also play a part.
And contrary to what you might expect, the first person to benefit from certain dress requirements may well be the customer.
When you choose a restaurant for its atmosphere, you naturally want to find the setting that made you book. Respecting shared rules helps preserve that experience.
Nor is this a question of price. A small restaurant may quite reasonably want to maintain an elegant atmosphere, just as a grand establishment may prefer a relaxed approach.
Wallonie Gourmande's view
At Wallonie Gourmande, we defend restaurateurs' right to preserve their establishment's identity, within the limits of the law.
We also believe a customer should be willing to follow the rules of a restaurant they freely choose to visit.
Why should it always be the restaurateur who adapts, and never the customer?
Paying the bill does not entitle you to do whatever you like. A degree of self-discipline is also part of showing respect for an establishment and the other diners.
Above all, remember that these requirements do not benefit only the restaurateur. Their main purpose is to let customers enjoy the experience they came for.
What do you think?
Should a restaurateur be able to turn away a customer whose clothing does not fit the establishment's atmosphere?
