PHOTO: Katie Hally – GOLD COAST
A mother, who was prevented from entering a popular bar on the Gold Coast due to her visible tattoo, criticized the establishment’s strict dress code, considering it to be both disappointing and disrespectful.
Over the weekend, Katie Hally, a mother of two, had plans to join in the celebration of a friend’s 45th birthday at the Burleigh Pavilion, a waterfront restaurant in Burleigh Heads. However, upon entering the venue, a doorman halted her progress and informed her that she could not be admitted due to her exposed “neck tattoo.”
The tattoo in question consists of three Chinese characters located on the back of Hally’s neck and extending down her upper spine. Hally recounted her experience to the Gold Coast Bulletin, stating that the doorman told her she couldn’t enter the venue “because of [her] neck tattoos.”
As per the Burleigh Pavilion’s dress code policy, individuals with tattoos deemed to be “intimidating, aggressive, or offensive” are denied entry.
The Burleigh Pavilion is a popular Gold Coast bar-and-restaurant. Photo credit: Burleigh Pavilion / Facebook
Despite Hally’s attempt to explain to the manager that her tattoo held a meaning of “family, love, happiness” and was not offensive in nature, she stated that the staff member remained uninterested and insisted she leave. The staff suggested that if she wished to return, she should wear a collared shirt that covered the tattoo.
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Hally shared, “I got the first one, ‘happiness,’ nearly 13 years ago after my divorce. The second one, ‘family,’ I got with my sister, and I got the third one last, ‘love,’ in the hope of finding love again. I understand the rationale behind the policy, but the manager could have exercised discretion, shown more empathy, and evaluated people on an individual basis.”
In order not to miss her friend’s birthday celebration, Hally reluctantly returned home to change her attire. However, she hopes that her experience will lead to reconsideration of the Burleigh Pavilion’s controversial policy.
She expressed her disappointment, stating, “It was incredibly disheartening and felt like an insult. I didn’t come here seeking a confrontation, and they would have realized that if they had simply asked a few questions.”
This incident is not the first time the Burleigh Pavilion has faced criticism for turning away patrons with non-offensive tattoos. Earlier this year, they rejected entry to Rachel Ubaldino, a local mother with a neck tattoo reading “Love Always,” asserting it represented gang affiliation. Last month, the venue garnered backlash for denying entry to Martyn ‘The Nightmare’ Ford, an actor and bodybuilder known for his visible tattoos. In 2022, a Gold Coast resident named Jadene Kini, of Māori heritage, was denied entry due to her traditional moko kauae facial tattoo, despite her efforts to explain its cultural significance.
At present, the Burleigh Pavilion holds a Google rating of 3.8 out of 5, with numerous 1-star reviews recounting instances of denial based on tattoos, labeling the policy as discriminatory.
A recent review from a week ago criticized the policy as “blatant discrimination,” recounting an incident where their son was denied entry due to a neck tattoo, while the reviewer’s own extensive back and neck tattoo was considered acceptable.
Another review from a month ago expressed disbelief that, in 2023, a restaurant would choose to discriminate based on personal body art choices, deeming the situation embarrassing and calling for the establishment to be ashamed.