It’s human nature to fear change.

However, a shift toward proactive enforcement may keep drinkers safer in bars. It may also help bars deal with over-consumption. There is no denying the benefits of bar dress codes.

In recent weeks, some DeKalb bars, such as Molly’s and Starbusters, have begun to adopt dress codes. Because of these changes, you may not be let in, based on your appearance.

But is that such a bad thing? Well, no and yes.

No, because it ensures people coming into the bars are going to look presentable and respectable. It means nobody is going to be able to sneak in alcohol or a weapon inside excessively baggy clothes.

Yes, because it can be seen as discrimination. Let’s face facts. The people this dress code is targeting are, basically, black males. Unfortunately, a few people caused the loss of expression through clothing for many.

“Have you ever heard of a bar saying no shirt and tie?” said senior marketing major Chelsey Antonini. “[But] I’m two-sided on this,” she said. “One side is happy, but [the dress code] is trying to ban certain people.”

I’ll be honest; I don’t want to be in the same bar as somebody who could conceal a weapon in their baggy sweatshirt or baggy pants.

“[The dress code] is there for everyone’s safety,” says Nick Tsiftilis, Starbuster’s owner.

Deciding whether or not to go out to the bars shouldn’t require a risk/reward analysis involving any concerns besides getting groped all night by beautiful women.

Drinking too much is also a major concern that the dress code at Starbuster’s looks to address, according to Tsiftilis.

Tsiftilis said that if people sneak in alcohol and drink on top of what they are ordering, “We’re responsible if someone gets over-served.”

So, not only does the dress code protect regular bar-goers from potentially dangerous situations involving concealed weapons inside baggy clothes, but it also protects the bar itself.

The code protects it from legal actions from patrons being over-served, as well as suffering a damaged reputation from being a dangerous place to go.

I am fully in favor of this dress code, even if it means that when I go to Molly’s, I have to wear my hat straight forward. Even if it means I have to abandon my favorite hoodie, and instead wear a jacket.

In the end, would you rather have a dress code or metal detectors? I’ll take the dress code every time.

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