Can a restaurant refuse service?

Under federal anti-discrimination laws, businesses can refuse service to any person for any reason, unless the business is discriminating against a protected class. At the national level, protected classes include: Race or color.

Do business owners have the right to refuse service to anyone?

Business owners have the right to refuse service or turn away a customer to protect their patrons and business. For example, “no shirt, no shoes, no service” and other dress codes are the types of requirements that private businesses can impose on potential customers as long as they are not discriminatory.

Can you refuse service from someone entering your restaurant?

Below is a further explanation of when you can and cannot refuse service from someone entering your restaurant. While there are a few exceptions under some state laws, the answer is usually no. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 explicitly prohibits restaurants from refusing service to patrons based on race, color, religion, or national origin.

Can restaurants refuse service to customers based on race?

No. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 explicitly prohibits restaurants from refusing service to patrons on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin.

Can restaurants refuse service to customers based on national origin?

No. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 explicitly prohibits restaurants from refusing service to patrons on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin. In addition, most courts don’t allow restaurants to refuse service to patrons based on extremely arbitrary conditions.

Can restaurants refuse service to customers based on sexual orientation?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 explicitly prohibits restaurants from refusing service to patrons based on race, color, religion, or national origin. In other words, restaurants do not have a constitutional right to refuse service. However, this law does not protect those from discrimination based on sexual orientation.