Double Bay, Sydney restaurant Bedouin bans TATTOOS and ‘heavy jewellery’ in divisive dress code move

Pictured: Julian Tobias, the co-owner of Bedouin restaurant and nightclub in Double Bay, Sydney with his model ex-girlfriend Charlotte Coquelin. The eatery has banned its guests from showing visible tattoos or wearing designer clothing 

An exclusive restaurant has controversially banned its guests from showing visible tattoos or wearing designer clothing to stop them from ‘intimidating’ other diners.

Bedouin in Double Bay in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has put up a notice on its front window reminding patrons of its dress code and house rules.

The policy says guests cannot have ‘visible tattoos’ or wear ‘heavy jewellery’ or ‘designer-labelled apparel’.

The Middle Eastern eatery and nightclub said the rules were designed to make all diners feel comfortable.

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

The restaurant counts tennis star Nick Kyrgios and Hollywood director Taika Waititi and his partner Rita Ora – who hosts The Voice – among its celebrity clientele. 

Bedouin is co-owned by millionaire businessman Julian Tobias; last year it emerged he splashed out $5.5million on a luxury Bondi penthouse.

Models Holly Thomas and Ariarne Lepine at Bedouin – which doubles as a nightclub and a restaurant. It said the rules around clothing and tattoos were designed to make all diners feel comfortable

The restaurant said it has always implemented house rules that ‘discourage intimidating appearances’

The policy has divided opinion among local politicians, with one saying Bedouin had the right to set their own rules. 

‘It is a bit like vaccination – proprietors of businesses can choose the type of patronage they want,’ Woollahra councillor Mary-Lou Jarvis said.

‘If people dont like it, they can go ­somewhere else.’ 

But another Woollahra councillor Richard Shields told Daily Mail Australia the rules were like ‘an April Fool’s Day joke’ and would exclude many of those who live in the area.

‘The listed restrictions would preclude a big chunk of the eastern suburbs,’ he said.

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

One resident said she feared could fall foul of the dress code because he has a small wrist tattoo.

In December 2020, another eastern suburbs restaurant was at the centre of a dress code controversy after an Italian backpacker was told she wasn’t dressed appropriately to dine there.

Martina Corradi was dining at a fish restaurant with her boyfriend when she claims she was berated by a staff member because of her outfit. 

Ms Corradi took to a community Facebook page to ask locals if her treatment seemed justified. 

Firebrand tennis star Nick Kyrgios – pictured with his girlfriend Costeen Hatzi – is among the restaurant’s famous clientele

Hollywood director Taika Waititi (pictured right) with his partner Rita Ora – who hosts The Voice – have also been spotted at the restaurant

The Middle Eastern eatery is a popular haunt with locals and counts famous Australians such as Nick Kyrgios among its clientele

‘Hi guys I just want an opinion from outside,’ she wrote.

‘The waitress, as soon as I took a seat, she said that I’m not well dressed and this is not acceptable to stay in a place like that.

‘I felt very embarrassed and offended at the same time.’

In December  2020, Martina Corradi said she was left embarrassed after being told she wasn’t dressed appropriately to dine at a Bondi fish restaurant

Ms Corradi said she and her boyfriend were left speechless at the waitress’ comments.  

‘She called the manager and asked him to tell me that this is not how I should dress to go to a restaurant,’ she said. 

Ms Corradi uploaded a photo of what she was wearing at the time, which consisted of white high-waisted linen pants, high heels and a lace bralet top.