Code Conscious

The colonial clubs might have often been scoffed at for their dress codes,but now nightclubs across the capital are following suit. ‘Dress to impress’ is a common rule at several places,but others are more specific. If F-Bar and Lounge in Chanakyapuri prohibits sneakers and ripped jeans,at Quantum,a club in Noida,Indian wear is frowned upon and Hype does not allow men in shorts and open footwear. “The dress code gives us a reason to stop unwanted elements from coming in. We can

always find something wrong with the outfit of potential troublemakers,” says Anusuya Sikka,co-owner of Keya,a bar in Vasant Kunj.

But with no set rules,even the nightclubs admit that subjectivity gives them the liberty to restrict

entry. “We only stop people who seem unsuitable for the place. It is easy to distinguish,as they don’t look like they belong to our bar,” says Ricky Teja,owner of Zook,Saket. Amit Bhatnagar,head of operations at F-Bar and Lounge,feels that a dress code is essential to maintain broad uniformity of clients. “We enforce a dress code to maintain the ambience of the place. Most of the guests who come to our club are well-dressed,so the ones who aren’t,may not fit in,” reasons Bhatnagar.

How does traditional Indian wear fit into the “smart casual” or “dress to impress” code of the nightclubs? Well,it is a misfit. In fact

most nightclubs in Delhi do not encourage traditional Indian clothes. Chirdeep Parasher,manager,Quantum,puts forth certain disadvantages of wearing Indian clothes,especially the saree,to a nightclub. “Once someone got hurt because their jewellery got caught in the pallu of the saree. Moreover,the

saree can unravel if someone steps on it. So we don’t encourage Indian wear and ask the ladies in sarees to stay away from the dance floor and other crowded areas,” says Parasher.

The sufferers,though,are the customers,who are left at the mercy of the managers for entry into a nightclub. “Most of the clubs always allow foreigners,no matter what they are wearing. There is no proper list of what not to wear,so the guy at the door has the power to stop anyone from coming in at his whim,” says

32-year-old Noida-based copywriter,Rakshit Sohni.

And if you want entry despite not being well-turned-out and in tandem with the established dress code,then a request for the desired accessories at the door of the nightclub might do the trick. It isn’t unusual for clubs to stock shoes to lend,if the outfit is otherwise perfect. “We keep five to six pairs of shoes,ties and other accessories. We hate sending anyone back,” says Parasher. Ready to dress for the part?

(Names of some customers have been changed on request)