A trendy Melbourne restaurant has jokingly announced it will make exceptions for some customers who do not follow its dress code – but only if they are famous.
Mr. Miyagi, a Japanese-fusion restaurant on Chapel Street, made headlines last week for turning away Hollywood star Russell Crowe and his girlfriend Britney Theriot when they showed up in ‘slobby gym gear’ after a game of tennis.
The Oscar winner, 58, has since disputed this description of his attire, saying he was in fact wearing a Ralph Lauren polo shirt he’d bought earlier that day and Theriot was wearing a stylish tennis skirt.
The venue encourages diners to dress ‘smart casual’ and states that patrons wearing ‘work-gear, activewear, singlets and thongs’ will not be granted entry.
The restaurant’s owner Kristian Klein at first supported his staff’s decision to refuse service to Crowe and Theriot, saying all customers must follow the rules regardless of their celebrity status, but now appears to have backed down.
A swanky Melbourne restaurant has joked about changing its dress code after refusing entry to actor Russell Crowe and his girlfriend Britney Theriot (pictured together in February 2021) when they showed up in ‘slobby gym gear’
Mr Klein has since placed a plaque inside the restaurant saying certain high-profile customers are permitted to ‘wear whatever’ they like.
He also reassured the Gladiator star he is ‘aways welcome’ at the venue.
The cheeky plaque reads: ‘DRESS SMART CASUAL… Unless you’re Russell Crowe. Then wear whatevs. **Management reserves the right to refuse entry.’
Mr. Miyagi posted a photo of the sign on Instagram over the weekend, alongside the caption: ‘Dear Russell. During your last visit it seems we got off on the wrong foot.
‘After much reflection on what occurred, we have made a permanent change to our dress code. We would love to see you again in the future. You’re always welcome at Mr. Miyagi.’
Mr. Miyagi (pictured), a Japanese-fusion restaurant, made headlines last week for turning away Crowe and Theriot. The venue encourages diners to dress ‘smart casual’ and states that patrons wearing ‘work-gear, activewear, singlets and thongs’ will not be granted entry
Following the incident with Crowe and Theriot, a plaque has been placed inside the restaurant saying certain high-profile customers are permitted to ‘wear whatever’ they like
It comes after Mr Klein told The Herald Sun on Friday there wouldn’t be exceptions when it came to the restaurant’s dress code.
‘We treat everyone the same. It doesn’t matter who you are or if you are Russell Crowe. We’ve got a dress code that we push across every level,’ he said.
‘So whoever it is, it stays the same. We’re consistent with it and I don’t feel like it’s unreasonable.’
Crowe and Theriot, who met on the set of Broken City in 2013, have been dating since 2020 and have been pictured playing tennis together on several occasions. (They are pictured here at the premiere of Stan movie Poker Face in Sydney on November 15, 2022)
Mr Klein said the hip eatery routinely rejects anyone wearing beach attire and ‘athleisure’, including yoga pants, tank tops and flip flops.
‘We’re not trying to teach people how to dress. But I know personally if I’m in my thongs and my boardies, I’m not going to try and go to a nice restaurant, because I wouldn’t be dressed appropriately,’ he said.
Crowe and Britney found themselves barred earlier this month when they attempted to enter Mr. Miyagi for a late lunch after a game of tennis.
Crowe’s manager Grant Vandenberg told Daily Mail Australia they were turned away while trying to grab ‘a quick bite to eat’.
‘He went there wearing a brand new Ralph Lauren polo having just played a game of tennis and was turned away,’ Mr Vandenberg said.
After being refused entry, Crowe and Theriot went to another restaurant.
Following the incident, both Crowe and the restaurant were put in contact to smooth things over, Mr Vandenberg confirmed.
Mr Klein later told The Sydney Morning Herald a staff member did not recognise Crowe and said they would love to have him back.
Crowe and Theriot, who met on the set of Broken City in 2013, have been dating since 2020 and have been pictured playing tennis together on several occasions.
The Beautiful Mind star was married to actress and singer Danielle Spencer, with whom he shares teenage sons Charles and Tennyson, from 2003 to 2012.
It comes after Mr. Miyagi owner Kristian Klein told The Herald Sun on Friday there wouldn’t be exceptions when it came to the restaurant’s dress code. (Pictured: inside the restaurant)
