Peter Luger Dress Code

couple toasting wine glasses during a romantic dinner in a restaurant

Whether you’re a New York City local, traveler, or tourist, you’ve likely heard about the famous Peter Luger Steak House. What should you wear if you plan to visit this iconic New York restaurant?

Peter Luger’s dress code is casual. Clothes should be neat, clean, and appropriate to wear in public. You can dress up if you’d like to, but wearing business or formal attire is not required at Peter Luger’s Steakhouse. 

Want to know more details about what to wear or how to pack for a visit to Peter Luger Steak House? This article will dive into the dress code details and give you some outfit ideas. 

Does Peter Luger Have a Dress Code?

Peter Luger’s website does not explicitly state any dress code. According to visitor reviews, Peter Luger’s dress code is casual, but some clothing items may be inappropriate

Peter Luger’s Casual Dress Code

What does a casual dress code mean? A casual dress code generally implies any clothing that is clean, neat, and appropriate to wear in public. T-shirts, polos, shorts, hats, and sandals are usually acceptable under a casual dress code. 

Swimsuits, underwear, bare feet, and clothes with excessive holes or rips are inappropriate. 

Peter Luger’s dress code is usually upscale-casual or smart-casual. Dressing well is not required, but dressing poorly will distract from the general upscale atmosphere and affect the experience for yourself and others. 

Most reviewers of Peter Luger’s Steakhouse have not mentioned being dress-coded. Still, some have said that restaurant staff may confront you if you wear inappropriate clothing such as a tank top or cutoff denim shorts. 

The time of day for your meal may also affect the appropriate dress. At a 1:00 pm lunch, for example, shorts may be acceptable. An 8:00 pm dinner date may warrant fancier clothes.

Peter Luger’s Dress Code for Men

Peter Luger’s dress code for men includes anything you would feel confident wearing to school, on a lunch date, or to a casual party. Because Peter Luger’s is an upscale steakhouse, some clothing items will be more appropriate than others. 

smiling friends eating pizza and drinking beer at restaurant

Dress Code “Do’s”

Everybody wants to look fresh and smart while in New York City. Try these ideas if you’d like to impress your date or dinner party: 

  • Sport coat or blazer
  • A button-up shirt
  • Tailored pants or khakis
  • Loafers, oxfords, or Chelsea boots

If the above options are a little too dressy for you, these casual choices are also acceptable:

  • Polo shirts
  • T-shirts
  • Sweaters and cardigans
  • Button-up shirts or flannel
  • Tailored shorts 
  • Jeans or pants
  • Sneakers 

Dress Code “Don’ts”

While you might be able to get away with it, these clothing options aren’t ideal:

  • Formal wear, suits or tuxedos
  • Clothing with excessive rips, holes, or tears
  • Tank tops or muscle tanks
  • Dirty, stained clothes
  • Sandals, flip flops, or dirty sneakers 
  • Bare feet
  • Athletic clothing
  • Swimsuits
  • Exposed underwear

The overall appearance of your outfit should be clean, comfortable, and relaxed. If you’d like to dress up a little, mix formal pieces with casual wear, such as a blazer over a T-shirt. Add some pizzazz to a simple outfit by accessorizing it with a nice watch, hat, or boots.

Here are some smart-casual outfit ideas to get you started:

  • A fitted blazer, white T-shirt, and trousers with oxfords
  • A button-up shirt, shorts, and loafers
  • A knit sweater, dark-wash jeans, and Chelsea boots

Peter Luger’s Dress Code for Women

Peter Luger’s dress code for women is business casual. Average streetwear is acceptable if there are no holes, rips, stains, or distracting graphics. However, tailored clothing or dresses and blazers are usually preferred. 

happy friends having dinner in restaurant

Dress Code “Do’s”

When you go to Peter Luger’s, you’ll have flexibility with how you’d like to dress. Try these ideas if you want to impress your date or dinner party:

  • A dress
  • A silk blouse or button-up top 
  • Tailored pants or khakis
  • A blazer or a nice coat
  • Heels or boots

These casual options are also appropriate:

  • T-shirts and casual tops
  • Sweaters and cardigans
  • Button-up shirts or flannel
  • Jeans or pants
  • Shorts or skirts
  • Sandals, flats, and sneakers

Dress Code “Don’ts”

Avoid fashion faux-pas. You’ll generally want to stay away from these clothing items with an upscale-casual dress code:

  • Formal dresses or business suits
  • Excessively high heels
  • Clothing with excessive rips, holes, or tears
  • Dirty, stained clothes
  • Flip-flops or dirty sneakers
  • Bare feet
  • Athletic clothing
  • Swimsuits
  • Exposed underwear

The overall appearance of your outfit should be clean, comfortable, and relaxed. If you’d like to dress up, try wearing a sundress and sandals or a nice blouse and jeans. It’s excellent to appear modest and pretty, but you’ll want to avoid looking stuffy or overdressed. 

Here are some smart-casual outfit ideas to get you started:

  • A knee-length sundress and low heels
  • A knit sweater, scarf, jeans, and boots
  • A silk blouse, fitted skirt, and wedges 

Can You Wear Jeans to Peter Luger’s?

We love our jeans. Some of us live in our jeans, but are they appropriate for an upscale steakhouse like Peter Luger’s? 

You can wear jeans at Peter Luger’s steakhouse. However, you should avoid wearing jeans with excessive rips, holes, tears, or stains. In addition, denim cutoff shorts are usually not acceptable at Peter Luger’s. 

These IZOD men’s stretch denim (available at Amazon.com) are an example of appropriate jeans for men. Jeans should be a solid, darker wash with few or no holes and rips. Wearing jeans with a T-shirt will look casual, or you can dress them up with a button-up shirt.

For women, jeans are also appropriate at Peter Luger’s. Like men’s jeans, they should be in a nice, solid wash with minimal holes or rips. Women’s jeans should avoid being too tight or revealing. These Lee Women’s Straight Leg (available at Amazon.com) jeans are a perfect example. 

In Summary

Peter Luger’s Steakhouse does not have a published dress code on its website, but most patrons will attest to an upscale-casual atmosphere. The dress code is very flexible, and you can dress up if you’d like, but business or formal attire is not required. 

Keep your outfit classy, covered, and comfortable, and you’re sure to enjoy one of the best steaks in New York.

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