Nightclub fined thousands for offering free drinks to women based on their bra size
Woolshed on Hindley has been fined $3897 (£2,019) after offering women free drinks according to their bra sizes.
The Adelaide bar was slammed with a hefty fine by South Australia's Consumer and Business Services over the sexist advertisement.
Earlier this year, the venue said women who wore an A-cup bra were entitled to one complimentary beverage, while a B-cup meant they could claim two free drinks, and three free drinks were available to those with C-cups.
Yikes. Yikes. Yikes.
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“The bigger, the better,” the now since-deleted post said on Facebook.
“Wearing a bra is so uncomfortable, hang it up in the shed and let loose ... This means you as well boys.”
At the time, the promotion sparked fierce backlash from the public, as one Facebook user wrote: “This can’t be real."
Another said: "We’ve just set the female gender back several decades."
A third commented: "Who in their right mind in these days of political correctness would even consider this?"
While another joked: "I don’t know what is more outrageous - physical discrimination or the fact that people go to the Woolshed."
Following the uproar, the venue issued an apology, which read in part: “We would like to address the concerns that have been raised regarding a recent social media post shared by our nightclub. We sincerely apologise for the fact that the post made some of our patrons feel uncomfortable and body-shamed as this was never our intention.”
It added: "Moving forward, senior management will be reviewing all promotional activity to ensure that it creates an inclusive environment for all our patrons.
"Your feedback is valued and helps us to create the environment that both our staff and patrons love so suggestions are most welcome."
South Australia's Consumer and Business Services, a division of the government which helps protect consumers and regulate businesses, said that the venue had violated the state's General Code of Practice and Late Night Code of Practice.
“Gender-based promotions – including those that objectify people — are not only out of line with community expectations, but are in breach of this code,” Liquor and Gambling Commissioner Dini Soulio said, as per Daily Mail.
“Theme nights and other promotions can be a great way for licensed venues to attract customers, but there must be appropriate standards.”
South Australia's Consumer and Business Services also found that Woolshed on Hindley had insufficient CCTV cameras on site.
Since the investigation, the country-style bar has updated its security system to avoid another fine.
Charisa Bossinakis