A St. Louis restaurant has sparked a massive backlash after enacting a lengthy list of new rules including ‘no hoodies’, ‘saggy pants’ and ‘sleeveless tank tops on men’ – despite its own staff being scantily-clad in tiny uniforms.
The restaurant, Social Bar and Grill Soulard located in downtown St. Louis, Missouri posted their new policy outside the bar’s front window and on an easel at the host stand earlier this month.
According to the new dress code, masks, hoodies, saggy pants, backpacks, men’s sleeveless tank tops, and overly revealing outfits are now forbidden in the establishment.
The bar gave little detail on the reason for the new rules and just stated, ‘in an effort to provide an enjoyable experience for fellow diners and staff we ask that you respect our polices.’
They ended the letter by stating that ‘everyone is welcome,’ but also added, ‘we reserve the right to refuse service. Our House. Our Rules.’
Many patrons were furious stating that the rules were hypocritical with more than 600 people expressing their angst on Reddit.
Some claimed the rules were racist or anti-LGBTQ, while others appeared amused asking if this was the same establishment that once had their servers dress topless and adorned in body paint.
In response to these rules someone wrote: ‘F*** this place! Implicit racism and right wing bulls***.’
Another said: ‘No revealing outfits…. ‘from the place that used to have their female staff PAINT their torsos.’
Pictured: The dress code and dining policy that Social Bar & Grill Soulard have issued to their patrons. The sign is posted outside the bar’s front window and on an easel at the host stand
A recent post of some of the servers wearing all-white while holding some alcohol
The Social Bar & Grill Soulard is located in downtown St. Louis
The bar’s new dining policy states that patrons are no longer permitted to return their food and ask for a refund. Patrons must also be specific on the temperatures of their food when placing an order.
When it comes to gratuities, a 20 percent tip will be automatically added to the bills for those customers who don’t tip and for customers who pay with a credit card, any orders over $25 are required to show a valid ID.
The establishment made it known that they have a zero policy for smoking, stating: ‘Guests who emit marijuana odors, vape indoors, or exhibit loud and disrespectful behavior will be asked to leave.’
One Reddit user said: ‘A long list of arbitrary rules like we’re back in middle school.’
‘If I have to read a whole page of rules to go in the restaurant, I’d just pick another restaurant,’ said another.
While others questioned if they were being singled out by ‘the rules.’
‘It’s a thinly veiled ‘no LGBT allowed’.’
‘Yeah, this would immediately tell me to leave,’ another Reddit user said.
Pictured: The servers at the St. Louis bar where girls wear body paint on their torsos and are dressed scantily
The servers pose for a picture with the caption ‘Check out our paint’ at the St. Louis bar
A photo of the female servers showing off their barely-there uniforms at the Social Bar & Grill
The restaurant has been around for 40 years with locations in St. Louis, The Ozarks, and Detroit, according to the company’s website
One commentator was so flabbergasted, they wrote: ‘Not only is that an incredibly lazy and obnoxious way to handle the problem, it’s also generalizing such a wide range of potential patrons that are legitimately wanting to enjoy your food and atmosphere.
‘Someone mentioned possible racism, and I don’t think I’d jump the gun on that, though they certainly aren’t doing themselves any favors regarding that deniability based on their rules.’
One irate reader quipped: ‘Ridiculous rules that exude hostility not hospitality.’
According to their website, the restaurant has been around for 40 years with locations in St. Louis, The Ozarks, and Detroit.
‘We are all about good food and great company. And our loyal customers will tell you that we know how to do it right,’ the site reads.
‘Part of the Social group of restaurants, we take food seriously at Social Bar & Grill Soulard. We always favor handmade over frozen, and we follow in our own family traditions when it comes to bringing food to the table.
‘Come by and join the family, we’ll be bringing the high quality ‘Sunday Dinner’ dishes that we’ve been serving at our own table for generations. We’re glad you’re here and invite you to come back any day of the week to Eat, Drink & Socialize.’
In 2016, the restaurant posted a series of tweets on X, formerly Twitter, describing themselves as a ‘Social House for Outstanding Food! The Sexiest Staff in Soulard! We are Ideal for Lunch, Happy Hour, Live Bands & Nightlife!’
One of the posts is of a picture of a brunette server wearing black body paint on her torso with the caption: ‘Social Tacos and ta-tas..Is there a better pair? Join us every Thursday for $1 tacos and $3 margaritas and coronas.’
Another tweet shows a different scantily dressed female: ‘Love the body paint on our girls!? Find out how you can join in on the fun while dining at Social House.’
Social Bar and Grill Soulard did not return DailyMail.com’s request for comment.
