The Top of the Standard Lounge in Manhattan refused admittance to a Navy Officer on Saturday. The Officer was dressed in uniform with three others. The group was turned turned away for their clothing but those accompanying the officer were all in proper cocktail attire.
The Standard Hotel is facing backlash over the denial that occurred during Memorial Day weekend which coincided with Fleet Week. The Hotel is blocks from Ground Zero. The New York Daily News spoke with a family member who was accompanying the Officer.
“We walked in, went to the elevator and were stopped by a doorman who said, ‘Hey man, there’s a dress code,’ said Ryan O’Connor, the husband of the sailor’s cousin. “I said, ‘Wait, are you rejecting us because someone is in a service uniform?’ He kind of rolled his eyes and wouldn’t budge.
“I was wearing a $400 blazer and dress shoes. We were all dressed nice. The only person sticking out was the Navy officer,” he said. The sailor requested anonymity.
O’Connor, a 32-year-old tech consultant, said he asked someone at the hotel’s front desk to intervene on his group’s behalf and was told the decision was up to the “lounge’s discretion.”
Nayara Branco, general manager of the hotel, emailed the family apologizing for the poor judgment of hotel staff.
“As per regular protocol, our team at the Top of The Standard is instructed to enforce a dress code — which obviously should not apply to military uniforms. Once again, our sincere apologies for the miscommunication at our end, the issue has been brought to all of our team’s attention and it will certainly not repeat itself.”
What would you say to an establishment that refused entrance to members of the military? Please comment below.
H/T: New York Daily News