Restaurant bans customers with tattoos, ‘heavy’ jewellery and designer clothes to stop them ‘intimidating’ others

A RESTAURANT has banned customers with tattoos, “heavy” jewellery and designer clothes.

The controversial dress code was introduced in a bid to stop customers from “intimidating” others.

Richard DobsonThe Bedouin restaurant in Sydney has introduced some new house rules[/caption]

Richard DobsonThe note states customers cannot have tattoos, designer clothes or heavy jewellery[/caption]

A note in front of the popular Bedouin restaurant in Double Bay, Sydney informs its guests of the new rules.

According to the new house policy, customers cannot have “visible tattoos,” wear “heavy jewellery” or “designer-labelled apparel”.

The eatery’s co-licensee Poata Okeroa told The Daily Telegraph: “We value our customers and community stakeholders, and have always implemented house rules that includes a dress policy that discourages intimidating appearances.

The Middle Eastern restaurant was launched three years ago and is run by Poata Okeroa, Eric Jury and Julian Tobias.

The venue that turns into a club in the evenings on the weekends, is popular among celebrities including tennis star Nick Kyrgios, Scott Eastwood, Rita Ora and director Taika Waititi.

UK chef Michael Mcelroy, who works at a restaurant in Manly, and has  neck and arm tattoos told 7News he was left fuming after finding out the new rules.

He said: “I’ve never heard of this policy in Australia, I have head and arm tattoos and not once when dining out has this come up until recently.

“Hearing they are now introducing these rules is a shame.”

He added that his co-workers had told him bans around tattoos were common practice in the industry a few years ago.

“To hear we are going back to these rules is upsetting,” he added.

“I love to eat out at restaurants so sooner or later this will start to affect my dining experiences.”

Woollahra councillor Richard Shields branded the new rules “an April Fool’s Day joke.”

He told the Daily Mail: “The listed restrictions would preclude a big chunk of the eastern suburbs.

“I am personally not a fan of tattoos but I defend people’s rights to express themselves in that way.”

Last year an iconic London restaurant banned single-sex groups of more than six as well as racksuits and trainers.

Langan’s Brasserie in the West End said the rules were enforced in a bid to stop hen and stag parties.

Previously another restaurant was branded “racist” after banning baggy clothing, beanie hats and “sunglasses after dark”.

FacebookOne of the owners of the Bedouin, Julian Tobias[/caption]