A Minneapolis city committee advanced an ordinance Tuesday that would require bars and liquor-licensed businesses to publicly post their dress codes [1].
The measure aims to curb "velvet rope" discrimination, where patrons are denied entry based on attire in ways that may mask deeper biases [2]. By forcing establishments to make their requirements transparent, the city seeks to ensure that dress codes are applied consistently, and fairly, to all customers [3].
Under the proposed rules, any business with a liquor license that enforces a dress code must display that policy near the entrance [4]. This requirement is designed to eliminate "secret" dress codes that staff can use to selectively exclude individuals [4]. If a business chooses not to post its requirements, it would effectively be prohibited from enforcing a dress code at the door [4].
The ordinance targets the practice of arbitrary enforcement at the entrance of nightlife venues [1]. Supporters of the move said that without written, public guidelines, businesses can use clothing as a pretext for discrimination [2].
The committee's decision to move the ordinance forward sends it toward a full vote by the Minneapolis City Council [1]. If passed, the law would apply citywide to all venues operating under a liquor license [3].
“The measure aims to curb 'velvet rope' discrimination.”
This ordinance represents a shift toward regulating the private entry policies of hospitality businesses to ensure civil rights protections. By removing the ambiguity of unwritten dress codes, the city is attempting to create a verifiable standard that prevents businesses from using attire as a proxy for discriminatory screening processes.
