The Dirty Onion has issued a statement after an electrician was refused entry to the premises due to wearing workwear
Belfast Live readers have been discussing the news that a Belfast bar has responded to claims that a tradesman was refused entry because of his clothing. The allegation was made on BBC’s The Nolan Show on Wednesday morning, October 15, when Graham, who owns an alarm company, said he was turned away from The Dirty Onion in the Cathedral Quarter on Friday afternoon for wearing work gear.
Graham told the show: “We are alarm engineers… We were doing a couple of alarm resets on Friday, finished off on Waring Street Friday afternoon.
“It was about 2pm. 2.30pm I think it was, and decided to have a quick pint on the way through… Went down to The Dirty Onion beer garden. We were stopped by the doorman, gentleman he was, can’t blame him, he was only doing his job, and we were told no workwear… We were a bit shocked.”
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He added: “What does no workwear mean? Lets face it, there’s offices around there, there’s all sorts of establishments around that place, and they’re probably able to get in in their suits.”
Graham continued: “It definitely feels like a bit of a class thing. Look, throw a bit of common sense at it. I understand there’s got to be dress codes and policies. If a painter was to turn up covered in head to toe in paint, or a joiner covered in dust and was unclean, I totally get that, but we were clean.”
In response, a spokesperson for The Dirty Onion said: “The Dirty Onion has had a smart casual dress code since it opened, 12 years ago. Our SIA licensed door staff team are briefed to use their discretion, but uniforms and workwear would not generally be deemed as smart casual attire.
“We pride ourselves on providing a welcoming environment and that experience starts at the door. Our door staff team politely explain the policy to anyone they feel does not meet the dress code.
“The exchange between the door team and the customer on this occasion was friendly, polite and seemingly well received. Whilst we are sorry we could not accommodate the customer on this occasion, we stand by our staff communicating our established dress code.”
Commenter Geb67 thinks: “They need to rethink their regulations and relax them. They might find companies such as plumbers, electricians and so on will boycott the premises. They can let ‘working skilled’ people in when it suits them to fix or service equipment, but it’s not good enough when those same men want to spend their good money on a pint.”
Delboy1971 agrees: “If a worker was covered in dust/ muck then that’s a no no, but the guy looked smart enough. I’m an ex doorman and I’d have let him in.”
derek trotter adds: “Well they must be making plenty of money, I thought the hospitality business was suffering? Lovely dog by the way!”
Dmcbride1 points out: “The bar was empty so I’m going to assume they can afford to lose customers. Kind of unfair to the guys who just wanted a pint.”
Lindalou5 replies: “Absolutely, I went once and it’s just ok but not in any way a posh establishment ! Absolutely a very ordinary pub and eatery, they will lose custom.”
Dooter adds: “With the prices in pubs these days they, like a lot of other places in the city centre, will need any customer no matter what way they are dressed. Especially now the tourist trade is ending.”
Callingeveryonethesame asks: “What exactly is smart casual these days? All I see is kids running about wearing tracksuits in these bars and night clubs.”
Liveinthenow75 complains: “You get looked down on if you are wearing construction clothes going in anywhere in the evening. Ironically without the trades nothing would function!”
CircleK replies: “But he is wearing steel toe cap boots, a lot of places won’t let you in even if you have dirty trainers. If somewhere has a dresscode then that is that no argument to be had.”
Anthony Bonner agrees: “This is a bar with a dress code which has been in place pretty much from the time they opened. Them coming under fire like this is ridiculous. They aren’t in the wrong here, there are plenty of other bars he could’ve gone to.”
Mary Otoole says: “Some tradesmen work with hard glues, heavy dust and maybe even asbestos. I would agree with the pub, it’s hard trying to clean up after workmen even when they go home. I’m sure the hard work boots are taken off and trousers when they are at home?”
What are your thoughts on the incident? Is the bar justified in upholding its dress code? Have your say in our comments section.
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