Atlanta's Former Mayor Said She Was 'Turned Away' From This Restaurant Because Of Her Outfit
"Odd that a restaurant in a mall parking lot turns away customers in 'mall' attire."
Keisha Lance Bottoms holding up a jersey. Right: Interior of a Capital Grille restaurant.
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms had a hopeful dining experience take a turn for the worse. She took to social media to describe the unsavory encounter she had at The Capital Grille's Perimeter Mall location.
In a tweet on Friday, April 15, Bottoms, who is Black, wrote, "I was just turned away at Capital Grille at Perimeter Mall because I have on leggings," accompanied by a shrugging emoji.
The post garnered over 20,000 likes and 7,000 replies over the weekend.
Local news reporter Kristen Holloway responded to the post, pointing out the company's dress code policy listed on their website. The notice states "proper dress is required" and outlines that gym attire and sweatpants are not permitted.
Holloway added, however, that she hoped they were enforcing the dress policy with all guests and "not picking and choosing."
Bottoms responded to Halloway that she found the policy strange, given the restaurant's location. She said, "rules are rules," but ultimately wondered if everyone else was treated as she was.
Some Twitter users had a keen eye for the discrepancy, and they aren't buying it.
Actor Daniel Newman, a friend of Bottoms' who is white, replied to the original tweet with screenshots of photos posted by other patrons who were permitted to dine in informal attire.
He even shared another tweet stating that he has never been treated that way at the chain.
"I personally have gone to Capital Grille many times in a wife beater or T-shirt and/or gym shorts. Many times. Never had a problem getting a seat," Newman wrote.
The Capital Grille could not be reached immediately for comment, but we will update this story when we receive a response.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.