Bengaluru Restaurant Barred Entry To Frido CEO & Ather Co-Founder “Because Of Wearing Slippers”

From restaurants to events, different places around us often follow specific dress codes. While these are not common in most regularly visited locations, special requirements and dress codes are usually specified to avoid any inconvenience for guests and visitors. Have you watched the recent viral video of an elder being denied entry at a multiplex in Bengaluru? The CEO of Frido reacted to the incident and shared his experience of being barred entry at a restaurant.

Frido CEO & Ather Co-Founder Were Barred Entry To A Bengaluru Restaurant

Taking to X, Ganesh Sonawane (@ganeshunwired) shared his experience of visiting a restaurant wearing slippers.

True story: Swapnil, Ather Cofounder and I had once gone to a restaurant in Bengaluru and denied entry because of wearing slippers instead of shoes 👞 https://t.co/1abpg8NBsh

— Ganesh Sonawane (@ganeshunwired) July 17, 2024

It was on July 16 when Fakeerappa, a farmer, visited a mall in Bengaluru. He joined his son to watch a movie at a multiplex at this swanky mall. Hailing from a village, his attire was like any other Indian traditional wear. The man headed there wearing a white shirt and a dhoti. Shockingly, he was barred from entering inside because of the clothes he chose to wear that day. According to multiple reports, the surprising incident took place at GT Mall.

The controversial episode became the talk of the town in no time and started making headlines everywhere. As a severe consequence, GT Mall is getting closed temporarily for denying entry to the farmer for wearing a simple shirt and dhoti.

Responding to a video of the incident shared by The Hindu, Ganesh Sonawane, Frido CEO and Founder, revealed how a restaurant in Bengaluru barred entry to him. He went to this unnamed restaurant in the Karnataka capital with Swapnil Jain, Ather Co-founder. The authorities denied entry to both of them. But why?

Also read: Kesaribhat For ₹12, Masala Dosa For ₹35; Woman Shocked By The Low Prices Of This Bengaluru Eatery

The reason behind the restaurant stopping them from entering inside was slippers. Ganesh Sonawane shared they could not enter the place for wearing slippers instead of shoes.

Netizens Faced Similar Experiences

Reacting to Frido CEO’s response, X users shared incidents when staff of many places did not allow them to enter. From Mumbai to Hyderabad, people came across similar experiences in different Indian cities.

Have faced the same in Bangalore.
Denied entry due to not wearing a shoe🫥

— Nipu (@nipunarayan) July 17, 2024

I was denied entry to a Jewellery store in Mumbai by guard bhaiya. I still don’t know why. 🥲 I just wanted my ear piercing adjusted and the board said they did it but he waved me off saying “idhar nahi hoga. Jao.” I’m from the North. 😭

— thaari maia (@septicskepticz) July 18, 2024

I was denied entry at Socials because of wearing slippers

— Arjun Kumar (@ArjunKu46083230) July 17, 2024

Faced same in Hyderabad.

— Pavan K. Tiwari (@iPavanTiwari) July 17, 2024

During my first time in the city, I faced a similar situation in MG Road Socials 😕

— Ronald Das (@DasRonald) July 17, 2024

Also read: Peak Bengaluru Moment: Automatic Pani Puri Stall Grabs Attention; HSR Layout Is Living In 2050!

Some Clubs may not allow you with slippers. But that’s ok as long as they mention the dress code literally everywhere so people know in advance. To land at the venue and then be told you’ll not be allowed is something anybody will frown on.

— Sharan Gaba (@GabaSharan) July 17, 2024

OMG Seriously?! Too many corporate companies in a city, they expect us to behave like slavish employees of corporate in real-life?! Disgusting.🤬 Which restaurant is that?! 😠

— 🌻Lee🌟லீ 🌟లీ 🌟ಲೀ 🌟ലീ🌞 (@Lingeshan) July 17, 2024

I don’t see a parallel here. Panche/Dhoti is a formal Indian Attire. A classist mindset at work when the mall denied entry and can’t be justified.
Slippers aren’t formal in any culture and the restaurant ought to put it upfront if it has a dress code.

— Obu (@obu_sama) July 17, 2024

Discrimination

— Ravi jain (@ravi1jain) July 17, 2024

If a restaurant is upfront of their dress code, it should be okay. Dress code isn’t discrimination. They are not prescribing brands and should be highly respectful of customers even if they deny entry. This is kind of acceptable in finest restaurants worldwide.

— Kumar Gaurav 🇮🇳 (@kaegie) July 17, 2024

Have you been denied entry to a restaurant before?

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva, X/ Ganesh Sonawane (@ganeshunwired)