Melbourne restaurant Mr Miyagi ‘changes dress code’ after refusing ‘sloppy’ Russell Crowe entry

A trendy Melbourne restaurant has jokingly announced that it will make exceptions for some patrons who don’t follow its dress code, but only if they are celebrities.

Mr Miyagi, a Japanese fusion restaurant on Chapel Street, made headlines last week for turning down Hollywood star Russell Crowe and his girlfriend Britney Theriot when they turned up in ‘sloppy gym clothes’ after a nearby tennis match.

The 58-year-old Oscar winner has since disputed this description of his outfit, saying that he was, in fact, wearing a Ralph Lauren polo shirt that he had bought earlier that day and that Theriot was wearing a chic tennis skirt.

The venue encourages diners to dress “business casual” and states that patrons wearing “work clothes, sportswear, T-shirts and thongs” will not be allowed inside.

The restaurant’s owner, Kristian Klein, initially supported his staff’s decision to refuse service to Crowe and Theriot, saying all patrons must follow the rules regardless of celebrity status, but now appears to have backed down.

Klein has since posted a plaque inside the restaurant saying that certain high-profile patrons can “wear whatever they want.”

He also assured the Gladiator star that he is “welcome” to the venue.

The bold plaque reads: ‘DRESS SMART CASUAL… Unless you’re Russell Crowe. So wear whatever. **Management reserves the right to refuse entry.’

Mr. Miyagi posted a photo of the sign on Instagram over the weekend, along with the caption: ‘Dear Russell. During his last visit it seems that we started on the wrong foot.

‘After much thought, we have made a permanent change to our dress code. We would love to see you again in the future. You are always welcome at Mr. Miyagi.

Mr. Miyagi (pictured), a Japanese fusion restaurant, made headlines last week for turning down Crowe and Theriot. The venue encourages diners to dress “smart casual” and states that customers wearing “work clothes, sportswear, T-shirts and thongs” will not be allowed inside.

After the incident with Crowe and Theriot, a plaque was placed inside the restaurant stating that certain high-profile patrons can “wear whatever they want”.

It comes after Mr Klein told The Herald Sun on Friday that there would be no exceptions when it comes to the restaurant’s dress code.

‘We treat everyone equally. It doesn’t matter who you are or if you are Russell Crowe. We have a dress code that we push at all levels,” he said.

So, whoever he is, he’s still the same. We are consistent with that and I don’t feel it is unreasonable.’

Crowe and Theriot, who met on the set of Broken City in 2013, have been dating since 2020 and have been photographed playing tennis together on several occasions. (Shown here at Stan’s Poker Face film premiere in Sydney on 15 November 2022)

Klein said the trendy restaurant routinely turns away anyone wearing beachwear and “athletics,” including yoga pants, tank tops and flip-flops.

‘We’re not trying to teach people to dress. But I know personally that if I’m in thongs and boards, I’m not going to try to go to a nice restaurant, because I wouldn’t be dressed appropriately,” she said.

Crowe and Britney found themselves blocked earlier this month when they tried to get into Mr. Miyagi’s for a late lunch after a tennis match.

Crowe’s manager, Grant Vandenberg, told Daily Mail Australia they were turned away while trying to grab “a quick bite”.

“He went there in a new Ralph Lauren polo shirt after playing a tennis match and was turned down,” Vandenberg said.

After being denied entry, Crowe and Theriot went to another restaurant.

After the incident, both Crowe and the restaurant reached out to smooth things over, Vandenberg confirmed.

Mister Klein later told The Sydney Morning Herald a staff member did not recognize Crowe and said they would love to have him back.

Crowe and Theriot, who met on the set of Broken City in 2013, have been dating since 2020 and have been photographed playing tennis together on several occasions.

The Beautiful Mind star was married to actress and singer Danielle Spencer, with whom he shares teenage sons Charles and Tennyson, from 2003 to 2012.

It comes after Mr. Miyagi’s owner, Kristian Klein, told The Herald Sun on Friday that there would be no exceptions when it comes to the restaurant’s dress code. (In the image: inside the restaurant)