A group of Houston, Texas woman go to Cocody, an upscale French restaurant, for their friend’s birthday dinner. However, they say a security guard told them they couldn’t come in after seeing their outfits, sparking debate in the comments of a now-viral TikTok.
In a video with over 1.9 million views, TikToker Roszzemary (@roszzemary) stands outside of the restaurant after a worker cancelled their reservation and denied entry. She says that the worker informed them that they weren’t following the restaurant’s dress code. Then, she shows each woman’s outfit.
What is Cocody’s dress code?
According to Cocody’s website, the restaurant requests “Smart Wear, Business Casual, or Professional Attire.” The rules note that Cocody may deny entry to guests who arrive with “athletic wear, sleepwear, slippers, excessively revealing clothing, or exposed undergarments.”
The TikToker shows off her friends’ outfits, explaining that the worker said two of the women’s dresses were too short. Another woman wears a strapless, sheer mini dress, which she says the worker rejected because her “shoulders” were showing.
The party was disappointed to miss their reservation, but they made the most of the situation and took photos outside. However, they quickly notice something strange about what other guests wear to Cocody.
She pans the camera over to a trio of women walking out of the restaurant in minidresses. They had seemingly just finished their meal at Cocody. On-screen text explains, “POV: A restaurant in Houston would let (other people in) but they cancelled your birthday reservation and didn’t let you and your party in.”
The caption continues, “IT IS DEFINITELY OKAY FOR RESTAURANTS TO HAVE DRESS CODES, HOWEVER THE SECURITY GUARDS SHOULD KEEP THE SAME ENERGY WHEN IT COMES TO EVERYONE, AND I MEAN EVERYBODY!!!”
In a follow-up video, the TikToker shares her group secured a table at a restaurant across the street.
Do viewers agree with the restaurant?
Commenters share split opinions on the restaurant’s decision to cancel the group’s reservation. Some agree that the outfits were stylish but ultimately didn’t meet the dress code requirements.
“Those are club dresses – not fine dining attire,” one writes.
Another suggests, “It really is mostly just visible undergarments.”
A third offers an explanation for why the other women in short dresses could have been let in. They comment, “Also it might not just be the dress length could be the combination of too short, too tight and not so quality fabric. Not all short dresses are built the same; the cut, fabric and how it fits matters.”
However, other viewers agree that the restaurant should apply its dress code across the board.
Some suggest that the women were treated differently because of their race. The other group of women that were allowed in with short dresses were white. The TikToker and her friends are Black.
“I would’ve agreed with them, but then u showed what the other customers were wearing and it was the same length,” a commenter says.
“I’m all for the restaurant setting guidelines of what they deem appropriate in their door but you apply those rules to all individuals!” a second writes.
“Comments pissing me off, the dress code needs to be across the board period,” another adds.
According to Cocody’s website, the restaurant is a owned by two Black entrepreneurs from the Ivory Coast.
@roszzemary IT IS DEFINITELY OKAY FOR RESTAURANTS TO HAVE DRESS CODES, HOWEVER THE SECURITY GUARDS SHOULD KEEP THE SAME ENERGY WHEN IT COMES TO EVERYONE, AND I MEAN EVERYBODY!!! #riveroaks #riveroaksdistrict #houstonrestaurants #fyp #CapCut ♬ original sound – Roszzemary
The Mary Sue reached out to Roszzemary via email and Instagram direct message and to Cocody via email for further comment. We will update the story when they reply.
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