“It is just the lifestyle that, for instance, right down the street there is no dress code…Richmond sheriffs deputies [are] macing people out there and pulling them on the ground in handcuffs,” — Anthony Wilson, manager
A few weeks ago, I went to celebrate a buddy’s birthday party in the Bottom (Shockoe Bottom for non-Richmonders). I don’t normally do the bar-hoppin’ thing. But I went along. Never been in Big Daddy’s before. I was supposed to meet up with the clan of folks including the birthday person in Big Daddy’s at 8:30 pm. Of course, I arrive at 9:05. Outside the door I meet the bouncer whose job was to look mean. He sizes me up and realizes that he’s got more muscle than yours truly. I’m taller and still unintimidated. So I had to put on my excuse the french — my white voice — to gain entrance. So yeah my wifebeater was hanging a lil’ longer than my red polo. And yeah, my pants weren’t that high on my waist. I hike and I tuck, alerted him that I’m there to meet my party. I had to stash my cap and pay a $5 cover. I didn’t have cash so I told the bouncer I’d pay the bartender. I meet my party and sit a lil’ while. I noticed the bouncer glaring at your boy and he quietly strolls over to the waitress. I tell my party, they are trying to make me pay $5 to get in here. They didn’t have to pay. Shortly, the waitress click-clacks her heels over in my direction and asks if I had paid. Nonchalantly, I tell her “Not yet…besides, why I do I have to pay, my party didn’t pay.” She responds that because I arrived after 9 pm and that’s when they hit people up at the door. Okay…fine…whatever. I pay the dumb $5. And get some grub, buy the birthday chick a beer. And we went on about our way.
The next day, I see this report about Big Daddy’s dress code:
A local sports bar and club is getting a lot of attention after implementing a ban on certain hairstyles and clothes. A few months ago, Big Daddy’s put a new dress code in place. Under the code, anyone with corn rows, dreadlocks, braids, baggy clothes or long jewelry isn’t allowed inside. The owner says it’s not a race issue, but a way of protecting themselves against potentially dangerous situations.
The owner was on the news. Had his name on the banner, but didn’t show his face. And it was because he had been receiving threatening calls about the new dress code.
“My jeans were too baggy my shirt was too baggy… I saw a white guy go in, his shorts were kind of baggy, a logo and the sign clearly states no logos,” — Gregory Scott
Cornrows? Long Jewelry (meaning If Your Chain Hangs Low…) Dreadlocks? Braids? Looks like somebody doesn’t like darkies eh?
Watching the news last night, there was an update on that story. Apparently, A LOT of people weren’t feeling the new dress code either. There were email petitions started up to boycott Big Daddy’s. A certain community was pretty mad about it. Wilson was then notified about that certain community’s affection for his dress code and he took action. Wilson’s, face was still not being shown. But he did say to WRIC TV8’s Tiffany Woods (gorgeous), that Big Daddy’s removed the nonsense about the cornrows, dreadlocks and braids. That he and the establishment were trying to attract the business professionals. And that Big Daddy’s are not run by racists and bigots. He contends that just as many whites are turned away as blacks. And your conduct is the main factor for getting into Big Daddy’s.
Meh. Don’t split hairs player. Just say it. You don’t want THOSE types of people in your place. It’s America, it’s your place. If you don’t want ‘em there that’s great. That’s your business. That is your right! I just won’t go there anymore. We all know that it isn’t just Big Daddy’s that does this. Clubs and Restaurants EVERYWHERE do that. So it’s really not that serious. It’s sad that people still are living in the past. They want to judge books by covers instead of reading what they’re about. I’d rather go across the street to Pearl anyway. They taking all of the traffic.
