Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms claims an Atlanta restaurant would not seat her because of what she was wearing.
In an X post on Wednesday (October 9), Bottoms detailed her recent experience at an Atlanta restaurant which she declined to identify.
“I was AGAIN told by a hostess that I could not be seated in an Atlanta area restaurant (not the same one as last time) because I had on ‘yoga’ pants, which was supposedly against their ‘strictly enforced’ business casual policy,” Bottoms wrote. “After I pointed out that there were patrons, none of whom looked like me, who had on shorts, baseball caps, and flip flops in the restaurant, the manager offered to seat us, in the not so full restaurant, in an hour.”
Bottoms says she feels she isn’t the only person who has been turned away from the restaurant before and she was working to speak to the owner.
“I was told the last time I did, people called and threatened the staff. But, I would like to know if others are having this experience,” Bottom wrote Wednesday.
The former mayor, serving as a senior advisor to the Kamala Harris/Tim Walz presidential ticket, said she was not identifying the restaurant.
Denied Service at Capital Grille
She experience a similar situation after the Capital Grille denied her service in 2022 for wearing leggings.
“Rules are the rules, just wonder if the woman who came in immediately after me, who I did not see come back out, was also denied service,” she tweeted.
On its website, the Capital Grille said it promises a refined atmosphere and, thus, “proper dress is required.” Gym attire, tank tops, sweatpants, hats and items “with offensive language” are not allowed.
Bottoms took office as Mayor of Atlanta in 2018 with the goal of “keep Atlanta moving forward, leaving no one behind.” She was sworn in during the most challenging times in the history of Atlanta. In the midst of a global pandemic and a racial justice movement, Bottoms became a leading spokesperson regarding the challenges and opportunities facing cities and leaders across America.