Hollywood diners got an invitation to leave the dress code at home yesterday, when a South Florida steakhouse hosted an evening where guests could eat dinner in the nude. The concept is being pitched as upscale, respectful and — according to city officials — legal.
CLASS Soiree Steakhouse holds its nude dining event on the first Monday of every month, with chef and owner Maurad Ali expecting about 20 guests for the latest installment, WPLG Local 10 reported. Tickets run $250 for men, $150 for women and $300 for couples, making this one of the more expensive ways to discover whether a napkin can truly do enough heavy lifting.
Ali told the station that the restaurant is trying to create a five-star experience while attracting new customers and generating buzz. The strategy is not exactly subtle, but it appears to be working: An earlier five-course nude dinner at the restaurant’s new lounge sold out within a day, according to Axios.
What Diners Actually Get
The format is designed to make the transition from clothed customer to nude diner less abrupt. Guests arrive at a separated area, receive a robe and can either stay wrapped up or disrobe immediately; the restaurant also provides towels, seat covers and cushions, Axios reported.
Ali has described the gatherings as nonsexual, with an emphasis on privacy, manners and letting adults make their own choices. The restaurant says its staff are trained to be respectful, which is probably the minimum requirement when the room’s dress code has been reduced to “please use your seat cover.”
Why Hollywood Says The Event Is Legal
When Local 10 asked about the unusual dinner, Joann Hussey, a spokesperson for the city of Hollywood, said the setup is legal because the employees working the event remain clothed. That explanation applies to the specific arrangement described by the city, rather than serving as a blanket legal rule for nude events in every Florida restaurant.
A Small Steakhouse Is Betting On Spectacle
CLASS Soiree is an intimate operation with roughly 26 seats, according to its OpenTable listing. A monthly event capped at around 20 diners gives the restaurant a recurring attraction that can fill most of the room while keeping the experience deliberately small.
On ordinary nights, the restaurant presents itself as an upscale steakhouse with a smart-casual dress code. On the first Monday of each month, however, Hollywood’s version of fine dining comes with fewer layers — and a much more complicated conversation starter.
