Woman was ‘utterly humiliated’ after restaurant refused her service alleging she violated dress code, lawsuit says

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB/Gray News) - A woman in Louisiana is suing a restaurant after she was refused service and told that her attire violated the upscale venue’s dress code.

A federal lawsuit filed on behalf of Y’Mine McClanahan states she was “utterly humiliated” when she was turned away from having lunch at Stab’s Prime Steakhouse and Seafood in Baton Rouge in July 2024.

The outfit McClanahan was wearing was a floral crop top and skirt. According to the lawsuit, she wore the same outfit to the restaurant’s location in Central, Louisiana just two weeks prior to the incident.

The lawsuit includes photos allegedly taken from Stab’s social media showing the outfits that other women wore inside the restaurant, including workers who are seen in fishnet tights and tank tops.

Attorneys for McClanahan argue Stab’s may have selectively applied the dress code to McClanahan because of her race.

“As of the date of this filing, several months later, Ms. McClanahan continues to feel humiliated and ashamed as a result of the double-standard Stab’s showed to her versus white patrons and employees,” wrote attorneys from Most & Associates law firm.

The attorneys wrote that if it is proven that Stab’s selectively applied the dress code because she is Black, the venue would have violated state law and the Civil Rights Act.

They added that the venue would also be liable for negligence if it can be proven that staff failed to apply the dress code “in an equitable and non-discriminatory fashion.”

“Ms. McClanahan decided to bring this lawsuit to ensure that selective enforcement of dress code policy and other forms of discrimination are not tolerated in restaurants and other public places,” said attorney David Lanser.