Hot Girls Eat Free: Petersham Inn's sexist ad campaign

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Via Yahoo7 News

A Sydney pub has been slammed for its "sexist" promotion offering free meals for "hot" women.

The former family-friendly pub, Petersham Inn, in Sydney's inner west, has recently transformed into an American-style sports bar, including an adult entertainment venue featuring strip shows.

The Strip Inn is accessible through a separate entrance to the public bar, featuring topless waitresses and strip shows.

A poster, depicting an attractive woman seductively eating a slice of pizza, is plastered outside the venue, advertising a promotion where "hot girls eat free".

The campaign has outraged a group of local women who have called the stunt "sexist" and "misogynistic", the Inner West Courier reports.

Members of The Inner West Mums Facebook group have slammed the campaign, calling it degrading to women and say it is sending the wrong message to their children.

“Totally appalled! That is absolutely outrageous in this day and age,” one mother wrote.
A second woman agreed, saying: “It’s offensive and wrong. How do I explain it to my two daughters?”

"I have two teenage sons who have to walk past these images every day on their way to school - what is this teaching them about respect for women?" another mother commented. Read more 

Via Smart Company

The Petersham Inn, which is also a hotel, has outraged Facebook users and activist group Collective Shout, who believe the sign is offensive and misogynist.

The sign features a woman eating pizza and advertising the promotion, which only applies if the woman also purchases a drink at the pub. Read more

Make a complaint

Advertising Standards Board

Fill out the online complaints form here: Lodge complaint 

Contact the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW

Find out how to make a complaint about Petersham Inn's advertising and discriminatory promotion here: Enquiry service 


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  • Sarah Sydney
    commented 2016-08-27 13:16:43 +1000
    386 Parramatta Road
    PETERSHAM NSW 2049
    23 August 2016
    1. Complaint reference number: 0334/16
    2. Advertiser: Petersham Inn
    Dear -,

    Thank you for supporting the Australian advertising self-regulation system by responding promptly
    in this matter.
    The complaint/s was considered by the Advertising Standards Board at its recent meeting. The Board
    reviewed the advertisement and also considered your response.
    The Board determined that the advertisement does not breach any of the Codes that the Board
    adjudicates on. We will notify the complainant/s accordingly.
    A copy of the case report reflecting the Board’s determination is attached for information.
    Please note that a complainant may request a review of a Board decision with which they are
    dissatisfied. Information which outlines the Independent Reviewer process is available on our
    website at https://adstandards.com.au/complaint-process/independent-review.
    Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like further information about the
    Advertising Standards Board.
    To assist in assessing and reviewing the advertising complaint adjudication system, we would value
    your feedback on the work of the ASB. Your cooperation in completing a short survey would be
    greatly appreciated. Your comments will assist the ASB in delivering a best practice complaints
    system. The survey link is https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6N7TZNS.

    With regards,
    Nikki Paterson/ Margaret Skillman
    Case Managers
    Advertising Standards Bureau
    [email protected]
  • Deane Giles
    commented 2016-08-27 03:08:59 +1000
    G’Day Melinda;

    Thanks for your reply.

    You are right, I cannot provide evidence that I read the article nor that I checked whether Australia allows consenting adults to make their own choice. I can assure you that I read the article twice and I understood growing up in Australia that adults had a freedom of patronage and employment choices. Next time, I will provide a ‘read’ receipt.

    I am surprised that, as a mere male, that we are so vulnerable to be influenced by a promotion sign with respect to our attitude to women. We are such silly creatures aren’t we?

    Truth is….we generally do make the distinction between a marketing promotion and real life. Surprising really.

    Just so we are clear, I would not be interested in this sort of promotion and have no interest in partaking; however the employees do have the freedom of choice to work there. The patrons have the freedom to walk on by.

    The comment about teenage sons and daughters ? They see more on their facebook, instagram and snapchat accounts. This is where they will be influenced as it is sent by their school peers – males and females. Do they have iPhones? Too late! The promotion picture is just noise to a teenager.

    I suggest the violent incidents in Petersham have several systemic causes. This may be a better article for a local journalist. This pub, as do most pubs in Sydney, have pokies. Maybe there is a connection with pokies and the violence – particularly domestic violence.

    The use of the term misogynistic is a little over the top. I don’t see how the promotion demonstrates a hatred of women.

    This is why I suggested you ‘grow up’ . Many of your comments belong in the Germain Greer era of feminism. If you portrayed a less extremist view, you may find more support from males in the community rather than treating the issue as an exaggerated right wing feminist argument.
  • Melinda Liszewski
    commented 2016-08-22 14:27:24 +1000
    Deane you may want to spend more time reading and thinking before offering your thoughts. Your comment is nonsense and does not address the issues raised in the article. You say “Last I checked…” but there’s no evidence that you’ve even read the article let alone ‘checked’ anything.

    There are other issues beyond ‘consenting adults’ to consider, however inconvenient they may be for you to acknowledge. For example:
    • Petersham Inn’s sexual exploitation of women and the harm this causes to all women in the community
    • the impact of promotions like ‘hot girls eat free’ reinforcing mens sexist attitudes and behaviour towards women
    • the fact that ‘hot women’ are being used as a lure to draw more men to the venue by this promotion
    • sexual exploitation venues like the Petersham Inn lead to increased violence in surrounding areas
    • there is evidence patrons abuse and sexually harass women outside sexual exploitation venues and local residents report feeling unsafe


    Given the lack of comprehension and communication skills you’ve revealed by your comment, I think its you who needs to grow up.
  • Deane Giles
    commented 2016-08-18 13:28:55 +1000
    Seriously…Attacking Petersham Inns promotion???? Consenting adults both patrons and employees should not be targeted. Last I checked Australia allows consenting adults make their own choices. Grow up.

You can defend their right to childhood

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