Some Australian clubs bar metrosexuals

MELBOURNE - Metrosexuals have been denied entry to some bars and clubs in Australia’s Perth city, a media report Sunday said.

Engineering student Benjamin Chalk felt offended by a banner at the front of Library nightclub in Northbridge, a suburb of Perth, that said: “Strictly No Metrosexual Attire”.

Perth Now said staff at Dorcia club turned away male Australians in collared shirts and dress shoes, explaining they were “too dressed-up”, while women were welcomed in formal dress. Men wearing shorts and trainers were also allowed in.

But Dorcia promoter Scott Mellor said he was not discriminating.

“Girls can get in with jeans and trainers, too,” he said. “There is no differentiation between men and women.”

Mellor said he introduced the dress code after noticing there were fewer places to go to and feel comfortable.

“A lot of nightclubs in Perth negate personal style,” he said.

Mellor also forbids low-cut, V-neck T-shirts, skinny jeans, tight T-shirts, shirts with numbers on them, pointed white shoes and visible neck chains.

“A short chain and tight T-shirt is an aggressive style,” Mellor said.

Western Australia Equal Opportunity Commissioner Yvonne Henderson said because “metrosexual” was used to describe males, it could be classified as discriminatory.

“Any venue policies that treat one sex less favourably than another in similar circumstances would almost certainly be breaching the Equal Opportunity Act,” Henderson said.