Beverly Hills restaurant apologizes for distributing invites to indoor ‘speakeasy’ amid state ban

A Beverly Hills restaurant apologized on Monday for previously distributing invitations to speakeasy-themed indoor dining on New Year’s Eve amid the state’s ban on outdoor and indoor dining.

La Scala, a restaurant frequented by celebrities, sought to clarify the message included in diners’ takeout bags in its apology after the restaurant received backlash online last week for its invitations.

The initial invitations titled “Welcome back to the 20’s Prohibition: Speak Easy – New Year’s Eve Dinner” indicated that the restaurant was “considering taking reservations” for that night inside.

The state ban on outdoor dining was set to expire on Monday, although California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) indicated it will be extended, the Los Angeles Times reported.

“If this is something you’d be interested in, please let us know as soon as possible,” the invitation stated. “If enough interest, we’ll contact you back to secure a reservation. Please keep this discrete, but tell all your friends.”

Merry Christmas everyone! La Scala’s Beverly Hills location is tucking these invitations to an indoor New Year’s Eve dinner in their takeout bags: “Please keep this discreet, but tell all your friends.” pic.twitter.com/hu4cJGYxce

— Alissa Walker (@awalkerinLA) December 25, 2020

But in the apology, La Scala said “the note was meant to convey” that the restaurant is “hopeful of resuming some sort of table service and we are considering taking reservations for New Year’s Eve.”

“If allowed, and if there is enough interest, we’ll contact you to secure a reservation,” La Scala said its invitation should have said. 

“Unfortunately, the person that wrote it tried to add some levity and said inside instead of outside,” the restaurant continued. “It didn’t come out as intended, how we wanted to be represented, nor how we wanted to represent ourselves. That was the intention. If you can find fault in that, there is nothing more we can say.”

La Scala said it extended “our sincerest apologies,” adding “our hearts go out to everyone that has lost a loved one to Covid-19, whether it is from the actual disease, suicide, alcohol, domestic violence, drug overdoses or cancer deaths due to lack of treatment.”

“If everyone would turn their hate to love and direct it to the people that need it instead of attacking small businesses trying to survive, that would be a much better use of their time,” the apology stated. 

The online backlash to the invitations come as coronavirus cases continue to surge in the state, and hospitals statewide are being overwhelmed by the influx of COVID-19 patients. 

Los Angeles County has banned indoor dining since March but allowed outdoor dining at certain times during the pandemic. The county reissued a ban on outdoor dining in late November right before the state order.

The Beverly Hills Police Department and city officials responded to the incident, with authorities contacting the restaurant on Christmas Eve as a reminder of the coronavirus restrictions. 

“We understand this is an incredibly difficult time for all of our businesses, however the County Order does currently prohibit indoor and outdoor dining, including in the City of Beverly Hills,” city spokesperson Keith Sterling said in a statement.

The police department tweeted that it was “aware” of the situation “and will be handling this matter.”

Thank you for tagging the BHPD. Beverly Hills Code Enforcement is aware and will be handling this matter. To report other COVID-19 related violations, please call 310-285-1119.

— Beverly Hills Police (@BeverlyHillsPD) December 26, 2020

Updated on Wednesday at 10:26 a.m.