When it comes to eating at a fine dining restaurant, it’s a good idea to book ahead. On the first Monday of every month at a certain steakhouse in Florida, having reservations may keep you from being part of an unusual meal instead.
With small businesses struggling amid an economic downturn and rising costs, anything that brings more customers through the door is worth considering. That’s clearly the case at C.L.A.S.S. Soiree Steakhouse in Hollywood, Florida, which began offering a prix fixe five-course meal in July of this year with one small twist — the diners are nude.
You probably have a lot of questions (like, A LOT), and we’ll do our best to answer the most likely ones. But let’s get the obvious one out of the way. Under Florida law, chef and owner Maurad Ali isn’t going to get hauled off for lewd behavior or the exposure of specified anatomical areas by his customers as they nosh on filet mignon, lobster tails, and French onion soup (that we hope they eat very, very, very carefully). How is he streaking past Florida’s indecent exposure laws?
In addition to requiring consent from both the customers and the steakhouse’s staff (which, unlike the patrons, must remain fully clothed), C.L.A.S.S. obeys local ordinances and zoning laws, meets the proper licensing requirements, and turns the establishment from a public place into a private, ticketed event for the Nude Dining Experience (NDE), with blackout curtains and a security guard at the door. Given that the number of diners for this week’s NDE has close to doubled from July’s inaugural dinner, other businesses may wish to consider letting customers patronize them in their birthday suits.
I Am Not Going To Ask Where They Keep Their Wallets
To our loyal readers, it’s probably not too surprising that the C.L.A.S.S. NDE takes place in Florida, although there’s actually a reason beyond “well, Florida” this time. With dozens of clothing-free, semi-nude, and clothing-optional private resorts, RV campgrounds, and public beaches, the Sunshine State has the most accommodations available for nudists in the nation. While Florida law prohibits the exposure of sexual organs in most locations, it also protects the right to be naked in places set aside for that purpose.
In addition to meeting state licensing requirements, these locations, along with sexually oriented businesses, adult entertainment establishments, and adult theaters, are also subject to county and local laws. While it’s not likely you’ll walk into a public food service establishment like a McDonald’s and find naked counterpeople, it would be much less surprising to be served by a topless bartender in a nightclub zoned and permitted for stripping and lap dances.
C.L.A.S.S. made sure to get all the required permits from the city of Hollywood, including one for adult entertainment ($200, in case you were wondering). Any staff involved in the prepping or delivery of food must be fully clothed at all times, but the hostess could go au natural if they were so inclined. Customers must wear clothing when they arrive, but once inside, they’re given robes and allowed to remove their clothes. The restaurant provides custom leather cushions to each diner, which are cleaned before the next NDE.
While it appears that C.L.A.S.S.’s employees are fine with the NDE, the owner has an obligation to comply with federal and Florida civil rights laws, including the duty to avoid a hostile work environment. That can mean adjusting assignments or working with employees who are uncomfortable, especially where sincerely held religious beliefs are involved. Although there’s no indication this is an issue at C.L.A.S.S., some workers at other businesses could potentially request a reasonable religious accommodation related to a similar event.
See Anything Interesting at Dinner?
If you’re contemplating a nonconforming use of nudists to boost your small business’s bottom line, try to look before you leap. Every state has different laws regarding nudity and indecent exposure, so make sure you’re located where something like “Nude Noodle Day — Send Noods!” isn’t going to get you fined or shut down. Locate your jurisdiction’s version of a department of business and professional regulation and see if they offer a plan review.
On the local level, secure the necessary occupational licenses and confirm you’re not going to violate any zoning ordinances. Consult your town’s health department for confirmation on what is and isn’t permitted, especially if food is involved. As alluded to above, it’s a good idea to gauge how your employees feel about the potential of dealing with naked customers before putting any plans into motion. Otherwise, you risk the repercussions of having a hostile work environment.
While nude dining is not likely to catch on everywhere, it appears to be a hit in Florida. C.L.A.S.S.’s DNE charges $250 for men, $150 for women, or $300 per couple to allow diners to let it all hang out.
