Two Men Claim Melbourne Club Banned Their Shoes but Allowed Women With Similar Footwear
A Melbourne man has sparked online debate after claiming he and a friend were refused entry to a popular Prahran nightclub because of their footwear, while women wearing similar shoes were allowed inside. The complaint surfaced in a Reddit post that quickly gained traction.
The user shared a photo showing two men wearing Birkenstocks, the well-known German brand of orthopaedic-style sandals, alongside a woman entering the venue in thong-style open-toed shoes. According to the post, the incident occurred at Pawn & Co., a well-known bar and nightclub on Greville Street in Prahran. The venue is known for its pawn shop-themed interior and lively nightlife atmosphere.
“Got rejected from a bar for my shoes, as two girls wearing the same walk through …” the man wrote in the caption of the post. He also added that he was “completely sober” at the time. The post quickly gained attention online, attracting around 3,000 upvotes and more than 600 comments. Many people in the discussion shared their frustrations with nightlife dress codes, while others suggested that clubs sometimes enforce informal gender ratios when deciding who gets in.
Pawn & Co lists its dress code as Smart Casual on official materials. The guidelines specifically ban hats, hoodies and sportswear, but do not mention footwear restrictions or specific types of shoes that are not allowed inside the venue. Dress codes have long been a common part of nightlife culture across Australia, with venues often setting standards for clothing before allowing guests inside.
However, such policies have become a topic of debate in recent years. Some argue that strict dress codes are outdated and unnecessary, particularly in modern nightlife settings. Others believe that maintaining certain standards helps venues preserve their atmosphere and safety.
A spokesperson for Pawn & Co told media outlets that the venue’s rules are not meant to target specific groups but are primarily focused on safety concerns. “Pawn & Co maintains a dress code policy that applies to all guests regardless of gender,” the spokesperson said.
They explained that open-toed footwear is discouraged inside the venue because of potential hazards, including broken glass on the floor during busy nights. “Open-toed sandals and thongs are discouraged for safety reasons, including the risk of broken glass on the venue floor.”
The venue also acknowledged that enforcing dress codes consistently can be challenging during crowded evenings. “On busy nights, our door team does their best to apply this consistently, but we acknowledge that sometimes people are missed,” the spokesperson added.
“We’re sorry these gentlemen felt unwelcome – that’s never our intention.” Not everyone online sympathised with the man’s complaint. Some commenters focused instead on his choice of footwear for a nightclub. “What dude wears Birkenstocks to a nightclub? It’s not Bali,” one person wrote.
Another added, “No self-respecting male should wear those to a bar. You could be Brad Pitt and get rejected on cringe level alone.” Under Australian law, private venues such as bars and nightclubs generally have the right to refuse entry to patrons. However, they cannot deny entry based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, religion, disability, age or sexual orientation.
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