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Caf\u00e9 Nubia faces criticism after including a food or drink minimum during a pop-up performance with R&B singer Tank that had been advertised as free.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shafkat Anowar \/ Staff Photographer<\/p>\n
A Dallas restaurant<\/a> is on the hot seat after including a $50 food or drink minimum in a pop-up piano session with R&B singer Tank<\/a> that had been advertised as free, sparking backlash on social media.<\/p>\n Caf\u00e9 Nubia<\/a> management said in a statement on Instagram<\/a> that \u201cwith several hundred guests expected,\u201d it implemented the minimum as an \u201coperational measure to help manage the extraordinary volume\u201d during the Saturday event. But the restaurant dropped the requirement \u201cimmediately\u201d after learning Tank did not support the decision.<\/p>\n About 50 of the roughly 300 guests who attended were affected by the requirement while it was in place, the restaurant said, which was for 36 minutes. The restaurant said there was no admission fee to see the performance.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cThere was no signed agreement specifically outlining food and beverage minimums, VIP seating or other restaurant operating terms for the event,\u201d the statement said. \u201cIt is common practice for Caf\u00e9 Nubia to require minimum purchase for large parties or events.\u201d<\/p>\n Tank\u2019s set was ultimately canceled after the restaurant\u2019s sound system had technical difficulties, according to social media posts from guests. According to\u00a0an Instagram post<\/a>, the artist performed the next day at Stone Water Restaurant & Entertainment in northwest Dallas.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, this is not how I work,\u201d Tank said during the event at Caf\u00e9 Nubia, according to a TikTok video<\/a>. \u201cWhen I say something, it is what it is, that\u2019s what it\u2019s supposed to be. I don\u2019t in no way, shape or form take your time or any of that for granted.\u201d<\/p>\n The incident caused an outpour of comments and videos on social media<\/a> criticizing the restaurant\u2019s $50 food-or-drink minimum for Tank\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n The Dallas Morning News could not immediately reach Caf\u00e9 Nubia by phone on Monday for comment, and Tank\u2019s PR team did not immediately respond to an email request for comment.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \nCaf\u00e9 Nubia\u2019s apology\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Guests who paid the $50 fee but did not use or receive the full value of their purchase during the event were reimbursed, the restaurant said in its statement.<\/p>\n Caf\u00e9 Nubia\u2019s management also apologized for the incident.<\/p>\n \u201cWe recognize that the initial process created confusion, particularly because the event had been publicly promoted as free,\u201d the statement said. \u201cWe understand why guests arriving with that expectation would have questions when presented with a minimum food-and-beverage purchase. And for that we are sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n The restaurant acknowledged the frustration of guests who waited, some for hours, for an experience that did not take place.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n As a gesture of goodwill, the statement said, Caf\u00e9 Nubia is inviting those guests back to the restaurant on Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a free brunch.<\/p>\n \u201cWe hear our community. We have learned from this experience, and we will do better,\u201d the statement said. \u201cGoing forward, expectations regarding admission, food and beverage requirements, VIP experiences and other operational details will be clearly established in a formal agreement between all parties and communicated in advance.\u201d<\/p>\n Owned by Nigerian-born Kenechi “KC” Nnamani<\/a>, Caf\u00e9 Nubia is an upscale Afro-fusion and Mediterranean restaurant and lounge in Far North Dallas<\/a> that offers brunch, dinner, handcrafted cocktails and live entertainment. It opened in 2024.<\/p>\n Caf\u00e9 Nubia is at 3920\u00a0Rosemeade Parkway, Dallas. cafenubiadfw.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n