Burleigh mother of two Katie Hally barred from Burleigh Pavilion over neck tattoos

A mother of two has called for a review into Burleigh Pavilion’s entry policy after her tattoos meaning ‘family, love and happiness’ were deemed inappropriate. Read the venue’s response.

A Burleigh mother was left feeling "insulted" after her tattoos meaning "love, family and happiness" were deemed inappropriate for a Gold Coast venue.

A popular waterfront venue has been forced to apologise to a Burleigh mother after she was turned away because of its controversial tattoo policy.

Katie Hally was asked to leave Burleigh Pavilion because of her back tattoo, written in Chinese lettering, which translates to “family, love and happiness”.

On Saturday August 5, Ms Hally was looking forward to celebrating a friend’s 45th birthday. But as the group of friends began to make their way inside, Ms Hally was called back downstairs.

She said: “(The doorman) said ‘We’re very sorry but we can’t let you in because of your neck tattoos. I’m going to call the manager down to talk to you’.”

Gold Coaster Katie Hally is the latest person to be denied entry to Burleigh Pavilion after being told her tattoos were against the venue policies. Picture: Supplied

But instead of asking her what the tattoo was, Ms Hally said the manager simply told her she had to leave and that next time she should wear a collared shirt to cover the tattoos.

In a statement, Burleigh Pavilion management said it had since apologised to the mum over the incident.

“Management became aware of the incident after media reports and acknowledge that in accordance with its policy, Katie should have been welcomed into the venue,” it said.

“Burleigh Pavilion’s house policy is in place to create a comfortable and enjoyable environment for our guests.”

It comes a month after the venue barred upcoming Mortal Kombat 2 actor and British body builder Martyn ‘The Nightmare’ Ford from dining in because of his extensively visible tattoos.

According to Burleigh Pavilion’s policy, while guests with tattoos are permitted entry, if they are deemed “intimidating, aggressive or offensive” that guest will be booted from the venue.

Ms Hally disagreed that her tattoos fit that description.

Katie Hally’s tattoos mean 'Family, Love & Happiness' in Chinese hanzi characters. Picture: Supplied

“I got the first one – happiness – almost thirteen years ago after I got divorced. The second one, ‘family’ I got done with my sister and the third one I did last, ‘love’, in the hopes I could find love again,” she said.

“I understand why the policy exists, but the manager could have used her discretion, she could have been more caring and assess people on a case-by-case basis but they didn’t.”

Not wanting to miss out on her friend’s party, Ms Hally went back home to change into the one collared shirt she owned.

Ms Hally said: “I would have loved to have not returned.”

“It was just so disappointing and insulting – I’m a law-abiding citizen. I didn’t come here for a bar fight and they would have known that if they just asked a couple of questions.”

Burleigh Pavilion’s tattoo policy. Picture: Supplied

It’s not the first time Burleigh Pavilion’s policy has been criticised as discriminatory and inconsistent.

Earlier this year, Gold Coast mother Rachel Ubaldino was told her neck tattoo which reads “Love Always” was inappropriate because it “is a representation of gang affiliation”.

Gold Coast swim teacher and DJ Felipe Mattos was also banned from the venue for his neck tattoo which says “peace” in 2021, and local Maori woman Jadene Kini was refused entry in 2022 because of her traditional Moko kauae facial tattoo.

Ms Hally warned that without a proper review of their policy, Burleigh Pavilion would continue to lose customers.

She added: “We recently renovated one of our properties into an Airbnb. It’s right around the corner and we used to recommend people to go to the Burleigh Pavilion if they wanted a nice day out.

“We won’t be recommending anyone to go over there again.”