An electrician expressed surprise after being denied entry to a beer garden due to wearing work attire. Graham, the owner of an alarm company, had just finished work on a Friday and wanted to have a post-work drink with his colleagues.
Despite being clean and not covered in paint, Graham and his friends were turned away from the pub for still wearing their work gear. The pub enforces a smart casual dress code that excludes uniforms and workwear.
The incident occurred around 2pm on a Wednesday when Graham tried to enter The Dirty Onion beer garden in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. Graham raised concerns on BBC’s The Nolan Show about whether individuals in suits, also technically workwear, would face the same refusal.
Reflecting on the situation, Graham questioned the policy of banning tradespeople from the beer garden, suggesting it felt like a class issue. He emphasized the need for common sense in applying dress codes.
Several individuals criticized the bar’s decision on social media, highlighting the unfair treatment of working men. They argued that individuals should be celebrated, not shamed, for their work attire.
In response, The Dirty Onion reiterated its smart casual dress code policy, emphasizing that uniforms and workwear do not align with their standards. The bar’s spokesperson stated that while they regretted not accommodating the customer, they stand by their established dress code and the professionalism of their staff.