They say all publicity is good publicity, but for True Kitchen and Kocktails owner Kevin Kelley, that might not be the case.
The Dallas restaurant has come under fire after a video showing the owner yelling at patrons for twerking has gone viral.
https://twitter.com/DJGreenVillain/status/1333255578152525827?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1333255578152525827%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.complex.com%2F
In the clip, he tells patrons to “get the f*ck out my restaurant.”
“I invested a lot of money into buying this building, into developing this concept so Black people can have somewhere nice to go to,” the man who appears to be Kevin Kelley says in the clip before telling the DJ to turn the music off. “All this twerking and shit… don’t bring it here because we’re a restaurant.”
He continued,
“If you wanna do it, get the fuck out my restaurant. I did it for our people, I did it for our culture. … Don’t do it again. I don’t want to hear it if you don’t like it, get out because I don’t need your money.”
After the video circulated, the restaurant released a statement apologizing for the “poor choice of wording” but ultimately stands by their decision to address the patrons.
“When the first incidents occurred the guests were politely asked to stop and have respect for themselves and other customers,” the statement reads. “Later, as another video shows, a customer stood on her seat, placed her hands against the glass windows and began to twerk. My immediate reaction was this woman could fall through this window and we could be the target of a lawsuit if she is injured.”
The restaurant claims that it will “adjust” the playlist and “DJ selections” going forward to curb people’s desire to twerk.
“As for twerking being a part of our culture, we do not welcome the part of the culture that will come into a restaurant, stand on furniture and twerk while using ‘culture’ as an excuse,” the statement adds.
Read the statement in full below:
View this post on Instagram
Now that you’ve seen what the restaurant has to say, take a look at some reactions to the incident from social media:
“Stay off the furniture” is one thing.
But the “Have some fucking respect for yourself, this is an establishment for decent Black people” vibe is a whole different tone and yall know it.
Twerking or not …
— Van “#1 Voice in Wrestling Media” Lathan Jr (@VanLathan) November 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/TheJessieWoo/status/1333421837452242947
https://twitter.com/takeme2Mar/status/1333425667061452800
https://twitter.com/NoBeeetch/status/1333458557367427075
For all you people who want to “support the stance” of True Kitchen’s owner on how he wants a classy environment. Just head over to the IG page to see what they’re actually promoting ? cause it’s clear what type of establishment it is
Ain’t this twerking?? pic.twitter.com/n5UuJyUgk8
— Ex Manic Pixie Dream Girl ?? (@o_keilani) November 30, 2020
If I walk into an establishment and everybody is drinking these, ima be disappointed if ion see no twerking pic.twitter.com/XVggfyThwc
— Big Harry (@KingHarry06) November 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/Mogulsociety/status/1333474488353247234
Wait…THIS was the twerking he was mad about? And the DJ was literally playing “Throw Dat Ass In A Circle” you have got to be kidding me smskdkdkdkdksks https://t.co/oMYtfc6gzb
— Oh Hell Beckham Jr (@DEFinition223) November 30, 2020
