I well remember Llyods Bar and restaurant in Maracaibo, Venezuela in the 70s. At 7pm a coat and tie were mandatory, even in the bar. It was always mandatory in the Restaurant. Before 7pm we “oil field trash” would go there and drink. At 7pm we must leave or put on a coat and tie. Llyod being a good businessman had a bunch of coats and ties on a rack for us. If we wanted to stay after 7pm a very polite waiter would ask us to come to the cloak room and select a coat and tie if we wanted to stay. Most of the times we stayed.
It was very civilized. I liked it!
Don't laugh, there ARE fine dining places in Baltimore.
They required a jacket. I didn't have one, so they took me to a dressing room where they had many fine jackets set on a rack.
The Maitre'd put one on me and said: "OK, now you're set."
Was I "offended"? Not in the least.
They set the rules and I followed them.
And it WAS one of the best meals I've ever had.
Something is to be said about "classy" and how it doesn't mean much today.