Minneapolis City Council moves to pass dress code ordinance to fight velvet rope discrimination

The Minneapolis City Council is one step closer to approving a dress code ordinance for businesses citywide after a committee passed a new ordinance Tuesday to counter what City Council members described as efforts to "discriminate against people." The ordinance, which received unanimous support from the Business, Housing & Zoning Committee, would require any business licensed to sell liquor or beer to post any required dress code near its entrance.

This new ordinance would not cover the "no shirts, no shoes, no service" rules because those are health and safety policies regulated by the state.

If passed by the full City Council, the ordinance would go into effect Jan.

1, 2027.

The City Council is expected to discuss the ordinance Aug.

27.

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY REQUIRES BUSINESS SUITS, BANS DU-RAGS AND OTHER HEADWEAR IN NEW DRESS CODE According to members of the committee and City Council, the ordinance will combat what is known as "velvet rope discrimination," or barring entry of someone into a facility based on race, gender or orientation.

According to KSTP , Councilmember Jason Chavez described it by saying, "I think about the high-profile case that happened at a downtown bar here in Minneapolis.

There was a White man that was allowed entry wearing a Twins shirt and a Black man not allowed entry wearing a Twins shirt." Chavez, who identifies as LGBTQ, also says he personally experienced this discrimination before becoming a council member after being denied entry into a bar while wearing a rainbow pouch.

He said an individual who was "wearing similar clothes" but with a black pouch was allowed access.

"I can understand why some people may not understand racism exists in this country, but it does." Chavez added, according to FOX 9 .

"What we're trying to do here is make sure that people are transparent about their dress code to help prevent that discrimination." POPULAR STEAKHOUSE'S DRESS CODE SPARKS BACKLASH AS DINERS TOLD TO DITCH HATS OR EAT AT THE BAR Fellow council members Pearll Warren and Jamal Osman also voiced support for the ordinance as a way to counter discrimination based on appearances.

"Picking and choosing based on your look or your dress or your culture should not be tolerated.

We’re not in the 1950s here," Osman said, according to KARE 11 .