Restaurant rejects racism allegations

A Kingston-based restaurant is dismissing claims of racism following a dress code incident involving a local content creator.Describing the information online as inaccurate, it said: “Steakhouse on the Veranda is deeply disappointed that a dress code incident on 15 October 2025 has been misrepresented online as racism.”In a video that has since gone viral on social media, creator CindiMarvelous alleged that she was refused entry to Steakhouse on the Veranda, located at Devon House, because she was wearing shorts while others, who were similarly dressed, were allowed to enter.The video, over which Bob Marley’s race and equality-centred song War, was superimposed, was captioned “I was told by a restaurant in Kingston, Jamaica, that I could not enter because I was wearing shorts, then this happened”.It proceeded to show a group of other women leaving the same establishment in shorts of various lengths and then photos of the restaurant entrance and a sign noting that the dress code is strictly enforced.Also included were screenshots of an alleged exchange with the restaurant in which the staff also rejected racism allegations and apologised, stating that “it was not communicated that our dress code does not allow for short shorts which expose the backside”.The original poster responded that her shirt had been longer than her shorts, similar to that of one of the women exiting the establishment, whom she claimed was of Asian heritage.The comments on the posts, shared on TikTok and Instagram, were divided, with some Jamaicans expressing exasperation at what they described as double standards in how rules are enforced along different race and class lines while others expressed concerns about the length of the shorts worn by the creator.Some social media users maintained that no matter the length of the garment, the rule should be applied evenly for everyone.In a response posted to social media the restaurant while acknowledging shortfalls, stressed that racism was not a factor in its decision.“We regret that the guest left with a negative experience and acknowledge that some of our language could have been handled more carefully,” it said.“As a black family-owned Jamaican business, we apply our longstanding dress code equally to all guests, regardless of race or background. After reviewing security footage and staff accounts, we stand by our team's actions and reject claims of discrimination,” it said.