Indy bar faces complaint over strict dress code

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - An Indianapolis bar is under scrutiny after a man wearing saggy pants complained he wasn't allowed in because he's black. Now, that dress code is being challenged by the Indiana Civil Right Commission .

Landsharks is one of Broad Ripple's hot spots. General Manager Neil Campbell insists that if customers are not intoxicated and meet his dress code, then they are welcome to come in and have a good time.

Landsharks' dress code includes rules such as no big gold chains, combs in your hair, gang attire or saggy, below the waist pants.

"Your waist is here (Campbell points to his waist), we don't need your pants down to here," Campbell said.

But the Indiana Civil Rights Commission says one saggy-panted patron, a black male who filed a complaint, was denied admission while some white males, who were similarly dressed, were allowed in.

"It could be a form of profiling and, when we look at it, it has some of the things that lead to that," said Indiana Civil Rights Commission Executive Director Tony Kirkland.

Kirkland said Landsharks' dress code itself isn't the biggest issue. But he believes it contains a racial component that needs to be addressed.

"Some of the specifics in their dress code requirement kind of lean a little bit one way. Like it is targeted," Kirkland said.

Despite the complaint, management at Landsharks said their dress code policy is all about public safety and if they had to change their policy, most other establishments in the city would have to change theirs as well.

"If they know what it is and they don't want to meet it, then they can go to another establishment that doesn't have a dress code or has a more relaxed dress code," said Campbell. "It's their choice. They don't have to come to Landsharks," he said.

Campbell said he just got the complaint from the commission. The commission said a judge is reviewing it. Also, Campbell said they've turned away lots of people, regardless of race. He added some people also don't get in if they have "bad attitudes."

According to the Landsharks Web site , their dress code is as follows:

• No baseball caps or visors (unless promo)
• No athletic gear of any sort
• No recognized gang attire
• No "grills"
• All chains must be tucked in
• No saggy pants, jean shorts or shorts below the knee.
• Pants MUST be worn at waist
• Any patron perceived to be intoxicated will be denied entry
• No plain tee of any sort or color
• You must have sleeves
• No combs or picks in hair
• No oversize clothes or long tees