Restaurant bans people with tattoos to 'discourage intimidating appearances'

An Australian restaurant and lounge called Bedouin Double Bay is facing online backlash after banning people with visible tattoos from dining at their eatery.

The upscale Middle Eastern-style restaurant recently put out a notice asking customers with visible tattoos to cover them up, avoid wearing designer clothing, and avoid wearing heavy jewelry.

"We value our customers and community stakeholders and have always implemented house rules that include a dress policy that discourages intimidating appearances," Bedouin co-licensee Poata Okeroa told The Daily Telegraph.

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The restaurant is well-known for attracting famous customers like musician Rita Ora and tennis player Nick Kyrgios.

Bedouin Double Bay opened three years ago and is located in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The restaurant turns into a nightclub after 10 pm on weekends.

The new dress code has caused quite a stir on social media, with many people feeling the restaurant is discriminating against people.

Others have pointed out the restaurant's dress code policy is not discriminatory, so long as the rule extends to every patron, including celebrities.

The restaurant did say the tattoos and attire rule also extend to the staff.

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