N.Y.C. Hotel Apologizes for Turning Away Navy Officer Because Uniform Didn't Meet Dress Code

"The fact that her uniform wasn't labeled Versace shouldn't have prevented her from going in," said a friend of the sailor

Photo: Steven Greaves/Getty

New York City’s The Standard Hotel is in hot water for turning away a Navy officer from its rooftop bar because her uniform didn’t meet the dress code.

The incident took place on Saturday evening during Fleet Week, when active sea-services members dock in New York City, according to the New York Daily News. The female officer, who declined to be identified, was with three others dressed in cocktail attire when she was denied entry.

“We walked in, went to the elevator and were stopped by a doorman who said, ‘Hey man, there’s a dress code,’ ” said Ryan O’Connor, a member of the group. “I said, ‘Wait, are you rejecting us because someone is in a service uniform?’ He kind of rolled his eyes and wouldn’t budge.”

Outraged, O’Connor says he asked someone at the hotel’s front desk to intervene, but they left it up to the “lounge’s discretion.”

“We were all shocked and upset,” he said. “This was Memorial Day weekend and walking distance from Ground Zero. This should have been a no-brainer.”

The hotel has since apologized for the “mistake,” inviting the sailor to return so it can make it up to her.

“We hold those serving in the United States Armed Forces in the highest regard. This was a mistake and we sincerely apologize,” the hotel said in a statement to WPIX.

O’Connor appreciates the apology, but says he’s still angered by the incident.

“The fact that her uniform wasn’t labeled Versace shouldn t have prevented her from going in,” he said. “They need to have a greater sense of the bigger picture.”