A popular Adelaide hotel has been shamed and issued breaches over a promotion offering free drinks to women in exchange for their bras.
The nightclub of the Woolshed on Hindley St began promotion in June of an event dubbed ‘Hang your bra in the shed’ where girls get one, two or three free drinks upon surrendering an A, B or C-cup brassiere.
“Hanging your bra is uncomfortable, hang it up in the shed and let loose,” read the invitation.
What followed was the inevitable backlash leading the club to cancel the event and issue an apology on social media.
Complaints about the promotion led to South Australia’s liquor and licensing regulator Consumer & Business Services attending the venue and launching an investigation of potential breaches of liquor licensing laws.
The investigation found the club had breached the General Code of Practice (‘the Code’) by offering gender-based promotions, which are prohibited under the Code for holders of liquor licences.
“Gender-based promotions – including those that objectify people – are not only out of line with community expectations, but are in breach of this Code,” said Commissioner Dini Soulio.
The Code also prohibits the supply of free liquor between 12.01am and 7am, resulting in another breach determined for providing free liquor to customers after midnight.
Investigation of the bra-hanging initiative also revealed the club had insufficient CCTV coverage, capturing all internal and external areas, which is a breach of the requirements of the Late Night Code of Practice.
The regulator deemed this “more concerning” as CCTV footage is deemed vital both for security and investigative purposes.
“Theme nights and other promotions can be a great way for licensed venues to attract customers, but there must be appropriate standards which is why the General Code of Practice for liquor licence holders has clear standards in place,” furthered Soulio.
Operator Meek Hotels has been ordered to upgrade the CCTV, which will be reviewed by CBS inspectors, and were issued fines totalling $3,897, incorporating a levy for Victims of Crime.
The Hotel has advised its senior management will be “reviewing all promotional activity” to ensure an inclusive environment is maintained for all patrons.
