Restaurant Entry Policy Sparks Controversy In Moscow-Affiliated Event
Denis Terekhov, deputy of the Krasnoyarsk Legislative Assembly, was denied entry to the Moskvichi restaurant on Raushskaya Embankment. The restaurant was hosting an event that day for guests with Moscow registration. Ekaterina Dashevskaya, the restaurant owner, explained to socialbites.ca that on other days the establishment restricts entry to non-Muscovites.
Dashevskaya confirmed the policy exists and said events are organized primarily for Muscovites. According to her, Denis arrived during one of these events, when many customers and VIP guests preferred to visit the venue. The seating was tight, and not everyone could be accommodated. She added that despite their close friendship, the staff must follow the guests’ wishes, which serve as the restaurant’s rule. The restaurant presents Moscow cuisine and its traditions to all visitors, without exception, she stated, highlighting the venue’s purpose as a cultural showcase for the capital.
In a discussion with socialbites.ca, Terekhov described the situation as unhelpful but labeled the restaurant’s rules as absurd. He reflected that if dress code exclusions are permitted, so might be entry restrictions based on other criteria. He acknowledged the establishment is private and free to set its own policies, yet he viewed the incident as nonsensical. He also touched on a hypothetical scenario: if a resident of Saint Petersburg showed up with a Moscow residence document, would they be admitted? He noted that Moscow has numerous dining options, implying no real obstacle to dining elsewhere in the city.
According to Terekhov, he did not have his passport that day and instead presented a proxy ID but could not confirm Moscow registration. He recounted that Dashevskaya called him and questioned why entry was refused. The restaurant staff reportedly explained that there was a belief he was registered in Moscow. Terekhov recalled a lengthy exchange, suggesting guards were instructed to document such incidents for record-keeping. He described the situation as humorous rather than harmful, remarking that the last time a request for registration had been made was decades ago during the era of a former Moscow mayor. His remarks echoed a broader sentiment that private venues can set their own rules, even when they appear unusual to outsiders.
A video showing Terekhov arguing with the Moskvichi security was released by the Shot Telegram channel. Dashevskaya provided socialbites.ca with footage in which she explains the reasons for the denial and the restaurant’s policy to a public official who attempted to gain admission.
The incident adds to ongoing conversations about regional identity, private venue policies, and how registration status can influence access to city amenities. It also underscores the sometimes delicate balance between hospitality and policy enforcement in a capital city that prides itself on showcasing its culture to everyone, while still adhering to its internal rules and guest expectations.