Poll: Should Dot Dot Dot change its dress code to allow shorts?

Your thoughts? We posted the poll to our Agenda Instagram account (99K+ followers) and over 80% of respondents voted to allow dress shorts.

[poll id=”7″]

[Related Agenda story: Approaching 10,000 members, Dot Dot Dot edges ahead as Charlotte’s top cocktail bar]

In other dress code news…

Merchant & Trade, a fancy Uptown rooftop bar, also just relaxed their dress code now allowing “High-end, clean sneakers” and “participating teams branded jerseys” on game days at Bank of America Stadium.

Similiar to Dot Dot Dot, you still can’t wear flip-flops, certain casual shirts and baseball caps at Merchant & Trade.

Pros for Dot Dot Dot allowing shorts

• Sales will go up. Wealthy Myers Park loves a good salmon short with whale belt (or crab), and leather driving loafers. By not allowing them, Dot Dot Dot is losing the spur of the moment, walk-in business. Shorts and loafers fit the neighborhood.
• Clientele won’t change. With a $10 membership fee, no TVs and cocktails ranging from $12 – $18, the clientele isn’t likely to change. Regardless of whether they allow shorts or not, Dot Dot Dot will still be the most sophisticated cocktail bar in the city.

Cons for Dot Dot Dot allowing shorts

• Brand could change over time. Having an adult bar with a dress code is effectively divisive — it’s great marketing. Relaxing the dress code could danger the Dot Dot Dot brand.

• Inviting short confusion. Dot Dot Dot specifies that they would allow “dress shorts” and says nothing of “shorts.” For example, I’ve been wearing the fashionable-yet-breathable Men’s Castil Casual Short ($45) from Mountain Hardware — would this short be allowed? I don’t know.

My vote — allow shorts. But it’s not an easy decision. The bigger question may be, is Charlotte cool enough for dress codes?