Shaq isn't cool enough to get into tourist trap Mars 2112

It's wild enough that Shaquille O'Neal would get turned away from any NYC club, but what's even more mind-blowing is that he wasn't even aiming to party at a legit hot spot.

Rather, he was trying to get into ... Mars 2112?

Indeed, you read that right.

The retired basketball legend apparently tried to get into the lame space-themed Times Square restaurant-club last Saturday night, only to be turned away by some all-too-serious personnel who didn't approve of his jeans, sweatshirt, sneakers and beanie, reported TMZ.com.

Trés bold, n'est-ce pas?

Why a place like that, which likely does the crux of its business from tourists would even have such a dated policy about attire is beyond comprehension, but according to the club's promoter, Shaq's threads weren't up to the joint's standards. Sources told TMZ that Shaq calmly replied, "Are you serious?" before shrugging and sauntering down the street to another place that welcomed the Diesel with open arms.

You'd think a place that serves "Terrestrial Mahi Mahi" and a "Sub-Space Sampler" would welcome anyone even remotely cool.