What not to wear
"I'm sorry, I can't let you in." The doorman at Last Call is talking to a guy ahead of me in line. It has nothing to do with his age or lack of identification. As a matter of fact he is an athlete at the University of Kansas. He isn't allowed in the club because his hair is braided. According to Last Call's dress code at the time, braids are just one of the many things banned from the club.
Last Call, 729 New Hampshire St., isn't the only bar or club in Lawrence with a dress code. Most bars, especially those with a dance club atmosphere, have guidelines concerning apparel that you have to follow. Although dress codes vary, some common things you can't wear to the bar are jerseys, wife beaters, torn clothing and skull caps. Clubs that consider themselves higher class, such as Abe and Jakes Landing, E 8.E sixth St., Liquid, 806 W. 24th St., and It's Brothers! Bar and Grill, 1105 Massachusetts St., tend to have an even more extensive dress code. Dress codes at these bars prohibit sweats, gym shorts and velour suits.
Another reason dress codes are a must for most bars and clubs has nothing to with what people are wearing. People from surrounding towns come to Lawrence to party and issues arise between these people from out of town
Dress to impress
So why do bars and clubs have dress codes? "Dress codes exist because if people are dressed nice they don't act as stupid," says Ronald Ruiz, owner of The Moon Bar, 801 S. Iowa St. "Hip-hop night draws a little rougher crowd. If they are dressed nice they are less likely to get in trouble."
unaware of what they have to wear in order to get into certain bars and clubs.
Is race the case?
An issue often connected to dress code is race. Many people will argue that dress codes are used to keep people from different races out of certain bars and clubs. For instance, Last Call prohibits people with braids from entering its bar. A large majority of people with braids are not Caucasian so the dress code seems racist against African Americans and Hispanics.
Ruiz believes that dress codes have nothing to do with race. "It has to do with people being uneducated," Ruiz says. "It's a fact that you can go out and have a fine time if you are dressed nice and you won't cause as much trouble," he says. "I have seen it."
Others say that race is an issue when
dealing with dress codes. Renita Davidson, Arlington senior, says that she has faced discrimination at a bar because of her race. She and two of her friends, who are also African-American, went to a local club and were denied access because her friend had on a collared shirt with the brand logo, Sean John, written on it. "I don't think it had anything to do with what we were wearing because we were dressed nice," Davidson says. "I just don't think they wanted to let three black people into their bar."
Next time you head out for a night on the town, you might want to call ahead of time and coordinate your outfit with your bar or club of choice's dress code. Otherwise, you may be all dressed up with nowhere to go.
amichaels@kansan.com
Cocktail of the week Tom Collins
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz. Gin
Juice of 1 lemon
Club soda
*Shake first two ingredients and pour over ice.
Top with Club soda.
It's the classic case of which came first: the Tom or the Collins? This drink was invented by John Collins, a waiter at Lipmmer's Old House on Coduit Street in Hanover Square, England. The name Tom was used instead of John because the drink was made with Old Tom Gin. Today, a derivation of the Tom Collins — the John Collins — is made with whiskey.
Source: Bartending for Dummies, by Ray Foley
Chris Brown
break•down•ese (brāk'doun'ēz')
noun
1. the language spoken while describing automotive problems to a mechanic
As in:"The staff of Automotive Technology Specialists, Inc. speak fluent Breakdownese."
- Professional Transmission Correction
- 3 year 36,000 mile guarantee
1225 East 23rd st. • 843.7533
Train NOW for a CAREER in the fast-growing high-paying IT field.
Stop and see us at the Employment Market Place Saturday, April 16th! Lawrence Arts Center, 731 Vermont from 8-2pm