Adelaide pub The Woolshed slapped with $3897 fine over ‘lewd’ bras-for-beers promotion

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An Adelaide pub which ran a lewd promotion earlier this year, swapping free drinks for bras and offering more for the well-endowed, has been fined $3897.

But the state’s liquor licensing regulator said the offensive bras-for-beers offer was not the most concerning discovery made during an investigation into the Hindley St venue, which was sparked by public outrage.

The Woolshed, an outback-themed pub with a mechanical bull and upstairs club, posted an advertisement on its Facebook page in June with an offer to get one free drink for an A cup bra size, two free drinks for a B cup, and three free drinks for a C cup.

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“The bigger, the better,” the post said.

“Wearing a bra is so uncomfortable, hang it up in the shed and let loose … This means you as well, boys.”

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An Adelaide pub has been fined thousands, in part, for offering free drinks to patrons based on their bra size. Credit: Facebook/Google Maps

It was quickly slammed on social media as misogynistic, demeaning and outdated — the promotion was cancelled and a spokesperson for the venue apologised for it, promising to ensure all future events were “inclusive”.

But complaints to the state’s Consumer and Business Services (CBS) were already underway, and the regulator launched an investigation, which found the venue breached liquor licensing laws that prohibit gender-based promotions.

Liquor and gambling commissioner Dini Soulio said: “Theme nights and other promotions can be a great way for licensed venues to attract customers, but there must be an appropriate standard.”

“Gender-based promotions — including those that objectify people — are not only out of line with community expectations, but are in breach of this code.”

But CBS staff who visited the venue spotted an even “more concerning” breach when they arrived to investigate — a lack of CCTV cameras.

“More concerning was the inadequate CCTV coverage,” Soulio said.

“CCTV footage is vital not only for on-premises security, but also for investigative purposes as needed.

“This is why the Late Night Code of Practice includes a requirement that licensed premises maintain CCTV that captures all internal and external areas of the premises — except for toilets — along with entry and exit points.”

The venue’s fine of $3897 includes its breaches of the General Code of Practice — based on the lewd promotion — and the Late Night Code of Practice — for a lack of CCTV— as well as the Victims of Crime levy.

The Woolshed has upgraded its CCTV coverage, including a new system reviewed by CBS, following the investigation.

“A CBD pub has been fined over a lewd promotion and upgraded its CCTV network after a subsequent investigation by authorities revealed deficiencies in its security camera coverage,” CBS said.