Why Australian woman was asked to leave popular pub

A 63-year-old woman has revealed why she was asked to leave a popular Aussie pub, saying she felt humiliated by the experience.

A 63-year-old woman has revealed why she was asked to leave a popular waterside venue, saying she felt “humiliated” by the experience.

Kerrie Ashby was at the Colley Hotel in South Australia with a friend on Sunday when a manager walked up to her and her friend and asked them to leave.

“The staff were looking at us — I am used to people looking at me and it doesn’t bother me,” Ms Ashby told news.com.au.

“But when I asked for the menu [ …] Security was standing behind me and the manager said I was being refused entry because the owners have a policy against facial tattoos.”

Ms Ashby has a mandala tattoo along her hairline and a sea creature design on her neck — something she had gotten for her 60th birthday due to the fact she has alopecia.

She was surprised, thinking that she was going to be told the kitchen was closed after seeing no one in the dining room.

Kerrie Ashby was denied entry to the Colley Hotel on Jetty Rd, Glenelg because of her face tattoo. Picture: Facebook/salty_locs

It was something that confused her, as she had been to the venue since the new owners had taken over and had no issue.

“It was a bit of a shock to my character to be refused entry,” she said.

“I was gobsmacked. I wasn’t angry, I felt a bit humiliated. It was so unwarranted and unjustified. It’s not a reasonable cause.

“I dress well. I’m not troublesome. I am always respectful and I’m well known in Glenelg. I was just really shocked.”

She pointed out it was also an impossible policy to enforce, asking what about people with tattooed eyebrows, eyeliner and lip liner and where is the line drawn.

The pub’s website does state that its dress code is; “Clean, tidy and respectful. No intimidating, aggressive or offensive tattoos or clothing are permitted. Please note that persons with facial tattoos are not permitted to enter the venue.”

A spokesperson for the venue told the Advertiser pubgoers are allowed to have facial tattoos if they either cover them up or have religious or cultural significance.

“We totally respect personal expression, tattoos – a lot of our staff have tattoos – and we embrace body art, especially body art that reflects cultural significance, individuality,” he said.

The Colley Hotel in Glenelg SA. Picture: Ben Clark

“We just ask that neck, face tattoos be covered along with anything that may be aggressive or explicit in the same way that some people might have colourful language on their knuckles. “So our policy is in place to ensure that all of our guests, community members and families feel safe.”

He invited Ms Ashby, who said she tried to contact the venue but her email bounced back and she had only just realised, to return and they can all come to a solution.

news.com.au has contacted the Colley Hotel for further comment.

It’s not the first time a venue’s tattoo policy has come under question, after Survivor star Jaiden Laing tried to get into Burleigh Pavilion, in Queensland, earlier this year.

The popular beachside pub has a policy of denying entry to people with “intimidating, aggressive, or offensive tattoos”— which it says applies even if they’re not visible.

Mr Laing, who has prominent tribal tattoos on his upper body and neck, had set out to try and dodge the rule by purchasing a black turtleneck to cover his ink so he could spend time with friends.

But, it didn’t go to plan. In a social media video he claimed he was going to be “the first Islander in Burleigh Pav, with neck tattoos, in history”.

However, the ruse didn’t last long as a staff member immediately asked him if he had tattoos and pointed towards his high neck shirt. He attempted to play it off but that didn’t go over well and the staff member continued to ask if he had any ink.

All parties involved in the interaction were calm and cordial, ending with handshakes and an apology from Mr Laing.

She felt humiliated by the experience. Picture: Facebook/salty_locs

On the Burleigh Pavilion website, the pub states its strict stance on refusing entry to anyone with tattoos above the shoulder.

“Guests with tattoos are welcome at our venue, however, our policy does not permit intimidating, aggressive, or offensive tattoos, clothing or behaviour which may offend or intimidate other guest or staff,” the website states.

“Tattoos on the neck, head and face are viewed as increased intimidation in that order.

“This practice is common among licensed venues and is in place to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of all our guests. Covering up these tattoos does not allow entry.

“Management reserves the right to refuse entry to any person they deem unsuitable for entry.”

The venue made headlines last year over a similar incident where mother Katie Hally was turned away because of tattoos along her upper back and lower neck.

Burleigh Pavilion later apologised in a statement saying Ms Hally “should have been welcomed into the venue”.

Originally published as Why Australian woman was asked to leave popular pub