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No singlet top, no thongs, no ripped jeans and no hi-vis work clothes, have you ever been refused entry to a pub or club because of your clothes, footwear or hairstyle?
In Western Australia, customers who violate the dress code at licensed establishments have made controversial headlines for years.
Back in 2011, a nightclub displays sign stating: ‘no metrosexual attire’refused entry to visitors wearing skinny jeans, low-cut shirts, shirts with numbers on them, white pointy shoes and visible neck chains.
Earlier this year, a young man was refused entry to a Perth hotel for wearing an “impressive” ’80s mullet.
Hospitality worker Andrew Verne was caught a few months ago when he arrived at a Perth bar just after 6pm, when the evening dress code had started.
“It was a warm, sunny Saturday night, we had come from somewhere else, and we were wearing nice shorts,” he said.
“There were also people in the venue who were already wearing shorts, but they have a ‘smart casual’ policy from six o’clock.
“Women in line are allowed in shorts. It’s 2022, what difference does it make?”
Across Australia, dress codes have long been accepted and enforced in licensed establishments with the hope that they ‘set the mood’ and reflect the theme and atmosphere of a place.
According to Western Australia liquor license policy dress standards should “reflect the expectations of the local community”.
The policy states: “The standard of dress one expects in a public bar in a remote country tavern may be very different from that in a lounge bar in a five-star Perth hotel.”
Licensees of a venue are required to display a sign of their standard of dress, and may refuse entry to a person if they are not dressed according to the standard.
Enforcing dress standards is not an ‘exact science’
Attorney Jessica Patterson has worked in hospitality, liquor licensing and events law in Western Australia for 25 years, and says dress standards are open to interpretation.
“[Dress codes]not an exact science. There will always be discretion and there will always be slight differences from person to person,” he said.
“What makes sense [dress]will always need to be determined on a case by case basis.
“Licensers often provide their staff with samples of certain types of clothing that may not be acceptable. One recent example I’ve seen is a heavy gold chain.”
Ms Patterson says most hospitality establishments are generally good at keeping up with fast-changing fashion trends.
“Occasionally, of course, there will be a disgruntled customer, but I don’t get many reports of real problems with the dress code from my clients.”
Does the dress code belong to another era?
Andrew, who was turned down for his shorts, said the idea of a dress code harkens back to a different era.
“I think it all started from when men had to wear suits and ties and trousers, and women had to wear dresses.”
ABC Radio Perth listeners have also had the experience of being refused entry:
“Me and my parents weren’t allowed into the rooftop bars in town because we were wearing Birkenstocks. I tried to explain to security that they were actually really expensive, but he didn’t have any.” Laura.
“My husband was refused entry once because his shoes were ‘too stylish’.” Lindsay.
“My ex wasn’t allowed into a jazz bar for wearing shorts and slip-on shoes.” Erin.
“A while ago I went into a bar in Karratha in a nice clean singlet dress and denim shorts and was told they would not serve me because I was in a singlet, even though there were women in the bar who did.” Steve.
“My best friend wasn’t allowed into the bar because she was dressed like a giant Christmas tree.” Hana.
Ms Patterson said business proposals often include the style or theme of clothing as part of the application for a liquor license.
Crown Resorts venues, for example, have a “smart casual” dress code that deems camouflage clothing, Ugg boots, Crocs, flip-flops, sportswear or men’s singlets or tank tops as “unacceptable”.
Jeans are allowed, but holes or torn are prohibited. Soccer jerseys, however, are acceptable in casinos as they have sleeves.
A spokesperson for Crown Resorts said the dress code was similar to most “upscale” restaurants.
This radio listener supports clothing standards:
“There has to be a standard of dress, we’re not Neanderthals. Well, okay, maybe not suits and dresses, but certainly not shearing singlets and stubbies either. You can look beautiful while still being comfortable.” andrew.
“I agree you should make an effort when you go to the pub. I always wear brown boots with black pants.” Anonymous.
What are the community standards?
WA Equal Opportunity Commissioner Dr John Byrne said the commission had received complaints of sex discrimination over clothing requirements in the past.
The most famous case occurred in 1998, when a male patron complained that he was prevented from entering a pub for ‘open arms’ while women were not.
“[The case]has been dismissed by the Equal Opportunity Court because societal standards allow women to be accepted in clothing that shows their arms but not men,” he said.
Dr Byrne said if the complainant could prove that the community’s dress standards had changed since the venue’s dress standards were first introduced, then it could establish that the venue’s behavior was unlawful under the Liquor Control Act.
Anything but bare feet
Understandings of ‘community standards’ vary from place to place.
Tom Fisher, brand ambassador for Clancy’s Fish Pubs in Perth, says “no going barefoot is basically the strictest dress code they have in place”.
“We like to think of our space as your second lounge. It’s up to passengers how they want to dress,” he says.
“We have a place on the beach, if we don’t let people in [wearing] those towels and ropes would be madness. We actually had a sign out front saying ‘sandy feet and flip flops welcome’.
“It’s completely from place to place. You can’t paint all pubs with the same brush, everyone has their own direction and brand.
“You want your customers to feel comfortable whether it’s well-dressed, or casually dressed.
“In my opinion, rejecting people is not a good thing.”
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