A man has slammed a pub for being 'sexist' after he was refused entry for being dressed casually - claiming that women dressed more casually aren't held to the same standards.
The man called Ben was out with his girlfriend, Hannah, and another female friend on Saturday 16 February when he was refused entry to the Green House pub in Bristol.
The 22-year-old, who wore a cap and hoodie, claims he was dressed similarly to the women in his group and others who were walking inside the venue.
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He believes that he was singled out unfairly on account of his gender - and his girlfriend wrote an angry letter to the pub to complain.
The pub manager has contested this claim saying their dress code is 'smart casual' and that doesn't include hats or hooded tops.
Ben, who also wore chinos and Vans trainers, said: "We were just out together as friends for a quiet drink and this put a mark on the night, it was a bit upsetting really.
"My girlfriend was wearing a t-shirt and Converse and she was immediately let in. So was my friend, she was let in without a problem and then they stopped me. We were just really taken aback because I didn't think I was dressed at all inappropriately for a pub.
"Girls dressed I'd say equally as casually were flooding into the place, most without being asked for ID, and I was left outside in the cold."
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Ben, a teacher, says he wears the chinos to work and offered to take off his hat and jumper to satisfy the doorman.
He said: "I understand the bouncers have a right to refuse me and I can particularly understand if a place is full or someone is too drunk but it just seemed like it was because I'm not the kind of man they wanted in their pub.
"How far does a venue have to go in refusing certain people based on what they wear or look like before it becomes discriminatory?"
Ben said his initial reaction was to accept the doorman's refusal to let him in and started walking away, which was the moment his girlfriend questioned the decision.
Ben concluded: "It might be because in my typically advantageous position of being a white man I just don't expect to be discriminated against.
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"But, it was Hannah that made me realise that I was being singled out especially because I seemed dressed similarly to other people. I was just wearing a normal outfit. I think a lot of men dress casually to go to the pub."
Ben believes young men are judged more critically when entering clubs - and turned away more often than women. He believes venues try to fill places with women to attract groups of men.
Ben's girlfriend, who wrote to the Green House to complain, said: "We could see women inside dressed similarly. It was blatant that the same rules were not applied to everyone, the differentiating factor being gender. Rejecting people based on their looks is prejudice."
But Neil, general manager of the pub, said: "We have a dress code and one of them is not hats, and that's for security reasons. Also, we don't allow hooded tops. He was refused entry and they immediately started saying it's sexist.
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"She's upset about him not getting in an I understand that. As a manager I want to see everyone coming here and leaving here happy. It's been blown out of proportion but it's her prerogative to make a complaint.
"It's the door man's job to try and distinguish who is casual and too casual and previous to him he would've turned down girls for the same reason, it's not something just for guys.
"Chris the doorman thought other people were dressed smarter but he is human like everyone and can make mistakes but that was his call and we have the right of refusal and we can't please everyone."
Featured Image Credit: SWNSTopics: sexism, Bristol, Community, UK, Pub