Dress codes

Hello to everyone! My wife and I are going to Vegas the second week of June this year. I'd like to have dinner in a fairly high-end steakhouse while there. My question is two-fold:

1). Suggestions as to good steakhouses on the Strip?

2). Are dress codes strictly enforced? By that I realize no tank tops or tacky clothing. Would a collared shirt and khakis pass for 'business casual?' That is the most used term I've seen on the websites I've visited. Do any allow shorts?

I'm in no way hoping to find a nice place and walk in looking like a bum, but if I can get away with only bringing shorts for wear I'm not above that either. I guess bottom line is that I don't want to feel out of place if I do wear shorts.

Hope all that makes some sort of sense. ;) Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions!

I've often said that women get a lot more leeway regarding dress code.

The same can be said for a trim man vs an overweight man.

Different places define "Business casual" differently. If you're unsure, call ahead.

Does that help any?


By the way, you might want to bring long pants anyway. Yeah, it's the desert, but it can get cold at night as well in casinos with the AC running full blast.

1. For the steakhouse, I recommend at least a collared shirt, khakis, and loafers. You may dress up more than that, of course, but I wouldn't go more casual than that.

2. Dress codes are not strictly enforced. I've been embarrassed many times at what my friends wear to nice restaurants (shorts, t-shirt, and a baseball cap), and they are not refused entry. However, they do get a tongue-lashing from me. Any kind of restaurant that is open for lunch should be okay with shorts at any time. You should try to show more respect at a dinner restaurant and make an effort to look decent.

Once I won a bet that a particular friend would show up to the SW steakhouse at the Wynn in shorts. I won the bet. He was let in, but as we left a waiter was overheard saying, "We shouldn't have let him in like that."

I firmly believe that the caliber of the restaurant should dictate the appropriate attire. What you wear to Burger King or even a buffet would probably not be appropriate for somewhere more upmarket. The minimum attire for a good restaurant for me would be dress pants and a collared shirt. When going to a fancy restaurant however you will rarely see me out of a suit. For dinner the rest of the time its at least smart jeans, good shoes and a nice shirt.

As for reccomendations, it has been nearly 3 years since I was last in Vegas, however the experience I had at Binion's 24th floor Steakhouse would lead me to reccomend it. We booked a table, but when we arrived it was unavailable so we were comped drinks until it was ready (the bartender poured a great gin and tonic). Then when seated service was efficient, and without the sometimes stuffy and overbearing waiters that appear in some places. The bread rolls were fantastic and still warm, and the garlic mashed potato was perfectly balanced. Plus the steaks were perfectly cooked. All in all a great experience.

But as I said it was a long time ago and things may have changed.

Much thanks for all the advice/suggestions! I am not one to wear shorts and t-shirt to an upscale establishment, but as I've read the gamut of stories on Vegas I wanted to be sure. My wife and I are taking her nephew and his girlfriend who just turned 21 and I wanted to be sure to advise them to bring some decent clothes to wear. ;)

Thanks again!

Quote: Wizard

I've been embarrassed many times at what my friends wear to nice restaurants (shorts, t-shirt, and a baseball cap), and they are not refused entry. However, they do get a tongue-lashing from me. Any kind of restaurant that is open for lunch should be okay with shorts at any time. You should try to show more respect at a dinner restaurant and make an effort to look decent.

I'm confused. If the restaurant is OK with it, then why do you care? "Show more respect" for a restaurant? I dare say that's a notion which is pretty much obsolete. You see men wearing shirt and tie to baseball games in highlight films from as recently as the 1960's. Thankfully, we've relaxed a bit.

Quote: Melman

I'm confused. If the restaurant is OK with it, then why do you care? "Show more respect" for a restaurant? I dare say that's a notion which is pretty much obsolete. You see men wearing shirt and tie to baseball games in highlight films from as recently as the 1960's. Thankfully, we've relaxed a bit.

Just because a fine restaurant doesn't forbid t-shirts and baseball hats, doesn't mean they like them either. They probably feel it is the lesser of two bad choices compared to getting into an argument with the patron about it. I'm reminded of a scene on the Sopranos where Tony stared down another patron who refused to take off his baseball hat in a fine restaurant, which I would have applauded if I was there. Having some class is seldom required, but doesn't mean you shouldn't have any.

Quote: Melman

"Show more respect" for a restaurant?

How about a little notion like "self respect" ?

If a restaurant has a dress code, you should honor it, even if they let people in that aren't up to code.

Yes, not too long ago, people wore dress clothes all the time, even to sporting events and movies.

People used to dress up to go to a House of Worship too.

Stop by your local church some Sunday, around the time that services or a wedding lets out and watch. Sure, many people will be dressed up. But there are also people coming out of that church that would (or at least should) get turned away from the steakhouses discussed in this thread.

I agree. I can recall 'dressing up' when we went on vacation (for the plane ride). That may be over-the-top today, but I feel out of place going to a nice restaurant in casual wear. As an example, we have a Ruth's Chris near us (granted not the most high end eatery, but a nice place with good service). It's adjacent to a mall which has prompted them to allow 'casual' dress. You can imagine some of the states of dress I've seen come in there from mall patrons.

No judgment here, but I agree that one should dress the part so-to-speak. As I mentioned previously I was asking for the sake of our younger companions that are going with us versus myself. I actually enjoy getting 'dressed-up' for a night out. Don't get to do it that often these days and it makes the evening more enjoyable (at least for me). :)

Quote: scottish

I agree. I can recall 'dressing up' when we went on vacation (for the plane ride).

I remember that, too. These days the only people who are well dressed for a flight are business people.

But back then flying wasn't exactly what it is today. It was more expensive and more, well, elegant. More civilized, too. These days dressing up for a flight makes as much sense as dressing up for a bus ride.

Quote: scottish

That may be over-the-top today, but I feel out of place going to a nice restaurant in casual wear.

I intensley dislike, nay hate, wearing a tie. I can proudly say I've worn a tie less than 50 times in my entire life, and that I couldn't put a tie on if my life depended on it (I don't know how). Therefore I avoid places where a suit and tie are required.

Other than that I try to dress my age. That's easier said than done. For instance, I don't wear shorts, ever, nor sandals. I wear jeans, short-sleeve shirts and sneakers while in vegas, for example. At work I wear dress pants, long sleeve shirts (short sleeves in the summer, though), shoes and a light wind breaker (I own only one jacket, and it probably does't fit any more).

Problem is while I dislike dressing up, I love looking at dressed-up women. There are no sights mroe beautiful in this world than either 1) a smartly dressed woman in business attire, with her hair not pulled into a pony tail or bun, or 2) a woman dressed for an elegant evening out.

Quote: scottish

I can recall 'dressing up' when we went on vacation (for the plane ride).

Ditto.

I think that's a bad example. Modern advice is to dress comfortably for flights, to ease evacuation in an emergency.

But was that the start of the casual dress trickle down effect?

When you think about air travel, originally, only the well-to-do could afford plane travel. With the interstate system built and cars built to handle them, Americans began to travel the country like they never could before.

When the jet engine was brought into service in the early 60s it made travel from Los Angeles to New York in five hours, but it was still tremendously expensive. Median family income in 1962 was 5,956/year while a flight from LAX to JFK was $290, so you'd be spending about 20% of your annual income for a family of four. Air travel was truly special, and you were treated like a king on board, even in coach, so you dressed appropriately. With deregulation and competition today, air travel was made available to the masses and the masses traveled.

My feeling overall is that you should dress according to the occasion. If the Ruth Chris steakhouse is in a mall, then you have to expect that the market is the mall-farer, and you will get people dressed in their mall clothes eating there. If, on the other hand, you're on a cruise ship, pomp and circumstance dictates that you dress up for some of their restaurants, but that is forced by the cruise line.

If a restaurant wants to have the snooty reputation, it should enforce a dress code.

One thing I remember about flying back in the 70s and even the early 80s is playing cards. Most airlines had cards available and they were given free to passengers on requests. In many planes the center seat had a section that folded down, which gave you a small table to play with the passenger on the aisle seat. You could keep the cards after the flight.

Meals were more common, too. These days in some flights lasting less than three hours you only get a snack. On the other hand you paid for earphones, and they were air powered. The movie was a real movie projected on a large screen, and only really long flights (5+ hours) had either movies or music.

I agree on ties - I swear some masochist from the Spanish Inquisition invented that piece of clothing.

As far as dress codes go, I would say be respectful to the restaurant that you go to. Patrons that go to a fine upscale steakhouse will expect a certain level of ambiance and management certainly wants to maintain a certain level of status and etiquette. That is partially what you are paying for, an elegant setting. Do you really want to eat next to a guy in sneakers, an untucked t-shirt, and a hairdo that puts Elvira to shame?

I remember going to a steakhouse at the Luxor which was really good. Although my friend and I were wearing suits, I mistakenly forgot to take off my baseball cap. Careless error(who doesn't love baseball right?). I was politely asked to remove my cap prior to entering the restaurant. For a nice steakhouse, I think dress shoes, pants, a dress shirt, and a blazer/overcoat is sufficient. Note: some places do require jackets, so you might want to call in advance. Out here in NY, certain high-end restaurants that require jackets will have them available if a guest forgets to bring one.

Been awhile since I've been to a steakhouse in vegas, but look forward to the next time I'm in town. Have a great trip.

Quote: Asswhoopermcdaddy

As far as dress codes go, I would say be respectful to the restaurant that you go to. Patrons that go to a fine upscale steakhouse will expect a certain level of ambiance and management certainly wants to maintain a certain level of status and etiquette.

I want to add that a high end restaurant puts in more than the usual effort in crafting a fine meal. Yes, you pay for it, sometimes outrageously, but the people who work to make that meal deserve at least a token of respect.

Quote: Asswhoopermcdaddy

That is partially what you are paying for, an elegant setting. Do you really want to eat next to a guy in sneakers, an untucked t-shirt, and a hairdo that puts Elvira to shame?

As long as he has bathed in the past 24 hours, I don't really care what he's wearing. I would prefer a more pleasing surrounding, but I wouldn't fret over it. Truthfully, I mind it a lot more when someone nearby orders a pungent fish, this tends to make me slightly nauseous.

Quote: Asswhoopermcdaddy

Careless error(who doesn't love baseball right?).

Since you ask, baseball's only redeeming feature is the "Who's on First?" act by Abott and Costello.

("Who's got it?"
"Naturally!"
"So I pick up the ball and throw it to Naturally."
"No! You throw the ball to first base!"
"Then who gets it?"
"Naturally!")

Slightly before my time, and slightly off topic, but people used to dress up to go to the fancier casinos in Las Vegas. That's all but gone away, and I'm a little sad about it.