A mother-of-two has been refused entry to a beachfront bar and restaurant because of the tattoos she has on her back.
Katie Hally was planning a night out to celebrate her friend’s 45th birthday at the Burleigh Pavilion in Gold Coast on Saturday.
But after making her way inside the venue, she was suddenly called back to the entrance by security who told her that she wasn’t allowed in due to their tattoo policy, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported.
Katie Hally was planning a night out to celebrate her friend’s 45th birthday at the Burleigh Pavilion in Gold Coast suburb on Saturday But after making her way inside the venue, she was suddenly called back to the entrance by security who told her that she wasn’t allowed in due to their tattoo policy
Ms Hally has Chinese lettering tattooed along her upper back which translates to ‘family, love and happiness’.
The mum claims the doorman told her: ‘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’.’
She was subsequently asked to leave by the manager, and return once she had covered up.
Burleigh Pavilion’s tattoo policy says guests with tattoos are allowed to enter, unless they are ‘intimidating, aggressive or offensive’.
‘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,’ Ms Hally explained.
‘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.’
Burleigh Pavilion’s tattoo policy says guests with tattoos are allowed to enter, unless they are ‘intimidating, aggressive or offensive’.
A ‘disappointed and insulted’ Ms Hally later returned once she had changed into a collared shirt.
Last year, face-tattooed Maori woman Jadene Kini was refused entry to Burleigh Pavilion with her friend NRLW Titans star Madison Bartlett.
Moko kauae are traditional female chin tattoos which in Māori culture are believed to be a manifestation of a deeper identity.