Tattoo Artist Denied Entry to Sydney Club, Citing Visible Ink

A prominent tattoo artist has publicly criticized Club Rose Bay, an establishment owned by Justin Hemmes, alleging he was denied entry because of visible tattoos on his neck. The artist, Marcos Mendez, expressed his frustration on Instagram, questioning the venue's policy in 2026.

"It's 2026, and I've been coming to this club for over a year, yet today I was refused entry because of my neck tattoos? How backwards can you be?" Mendez posted, according to reports. He also noted that the security guards, whom he described as Lebanese, also had visible tattoos. Mendez took to Instagram to blast the Justin Hemmes-owned establishment for what he perceived as an unfair rejection. Mendez stated that he "hates this kind of discrimination" and the perceived association between tattoos and criminal elements. He also shared his surprise at the negative attitude towards tattoos in Australia, having moved from another country.

Club Rose Bay's official dress code, as listed on its website, does not explicitly prohibit visible tattoos. The policy states that patrons' appearance must be "clean, neat and tidy at all times" and prohibits "obscene or offensive language, clothing or body odour." It also forbids untidy or frayed clothing, bare feet, swimwear, low-cut or revealing tops, bare midriffs, baseball caps, beanies, hoodies, and gang colors or symbols. The venue's management asserts its right to make the final decision on all matters concerning its dress code.

Refusing entry to someone solely based on tattoos is not illegal in Australia. However, such a refusal could be considered unlawful discrimination if it infringes on anti-discrimination legislation, particularly if the tattoos are considered traditional or cultural markings. Daily Mail has reached out to Club Rose Bay for comment.