Woman, 63, with alopecia ‘humiliated’ after reportedly asked to leave pub over face tattoo: ‘Shame on my character’

A 63-year-old woman has revealed why she was asked to leave a popular seaside resort, 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 approached her and her friend and asked them to leave.

“Staff were looking at us – I’m 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 denied entry because the owners have a policy against facial tattoos.”

mrs. Ashby has a mandala tattoo along her hairline and a sea creature design on her neck – something she got for her 60th birthday due to having alopecia.

She was surprised, thinking they were going to tell her the kitchen was closed since she didn’t see anyone in the dining room.

It was something that puzzled her, as she had been in the place since the new owners had taken over and had no problems.

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

“I was upset. I wasn’t angry, I felt a little humiliated. It was so unwarranted and unjustified. It is not a reasonable cause.

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

She noted that it was also an impossible policy to enforce, asking what happens to people with tattooed eyebrows, eyeliner and lips and where to draw the line.

The pub’s website says its dress code is; “Clean, tidy and respectable. Tattoos or intimidating, aggressive or offensive clothing are not allowed. Please note that persons with facial tattoos are not allowed to enter the venue.”

A spokesperson for the bar told him promoter teenagers are allowed to get facial tattoos if they cover them or have religious or cultural significance.

“We fully respect personal expression, tattoos — many of our staff have tattoos — and we embrace body art, especially body art that reflects cultural significance, individuality,” he said.

“We just ask that neck tattoos, face tattoos be covered along with anything that might be aggressive or explicit in the same way that some people might have colorful tongues on their wrists.

“So our policy is in place to ensure that all of our guests, community members and families feel safe.”

He invited Mrs. Ashby, who said she tried to contact the place, but her email bounced and she just realized, come back and everyone can find a solution.

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

It’s not the first time a country’s tattoo policy has come under question, then Survivors Star Jaiden Laing attempted to enter Burleigh Pavilion, in Queensland, earlier this year.

The popular beachside pub has a policy of refusing entry to people with “intimidating, aggressive or offensive tattoos” – which it says apply even if they are not visible.

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

But it didn’t go according to plan. In a social media video he claimed he would be “the first neck tattooed Burleigh Pav Islander in history”.

However, the Russian didn’t last long as a member of staff immediately asked him if he had any tattoos and pointed at his high neck shirt. He tried to play it but it didn’t go well and the staff member kept asking if there was any ink.

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

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

“Guests with tattoos are welcome at our property, however, our policy does not allow intimidating, aggressive or offensive tattoos, clothing or behavior that may offend or intimidate other guests or staff,” the website states.

“Tattoos on the neck, head and face are seen as added intimidation in that way.”

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

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

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

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