Bar demanding women wear heels makes the most of backlash

Does a 'must have heels' rule offend you?Photo / Thinkstock

A new bar is making the most of backlash it copped from ladies after posting a dress code that demanded women "must have heels."

ProAbition, a whiskey lounge and restaurant is located about an hour outside Los Angeles in Riverside, California. They recently posted a flyer to a Twenties-themed opening with the following dress code:

"No tennis shoes. No baggy attire. No sports hats. No hooded sweaters. No t-shirts. Ladies: No flat shoes or sandals. Must have heels. (Exception will be made if injured.)"

The flyer, posted on the bar's Facebook page, clearly irked customers, who left over 30 comments underneath. (For instance a well-liked post read: "The 20's were about the liberation of women and the ability to be free to be an individual, not trapped in the confines of what YOUR definition of feminine or sexy is. Looks like your alienating your target demographic Probation!")

The backlash prompted ProAbition to post a response later that day explaining the existence of the dress code:

"We have put a lot of time, money, and effort into creating ProAbiton; and we wish to create and maintain an atmosphere that is consistent with our vision. With that, we believe the people -- our customers, and friends that come to ProAbtion are the biggest part of that atmosphere. That is why we have a dress code -- to promote and maintain this atmosphere for the enjoyment of all."

Today, the bar announced they would be making the most of all the publicity their offensive dress code has attracted by helping "heel cancer."

"Ladies, wear your heels and we will donate 50%. Gentlemen, if you come in ladies heels, we will donate 75%."

The dress code has since been ammended to "Fashionable Cocktail Attire" and the bar has clarified "our dress code is not carved in stone - it changes with the time of day, day of the week, and with any event that is scheduled."

- www.nzherald.co.nz