Karl Stefanovic was furious after a mother of two was denied entry to the Gold Coast’s Burleigh Pavilion on Saturday because of three small tattoos.
The Today Show host, 48, who has a number of tattoos herself, was stunned when he spoke to Katie Hally on Tuesday.
Despite going out with a group of friends to celebrate a 45th birthday, Katie was called back down the stairs after the bouncer spotted her “inappropriate” inking.
“Do you think they were just having a bad day because I think Burleigh Pavilion is one of the best locations on the Goldie?” Karl said, trying to understand the blunder.
Karl went on to say he’s been to the venue a “bazillion” times and seen “a lot of ink” on regulars.
Karl gave the light-hearted explanation that it might have been due to how good Katie looked that night.
“Do you think they just didn’t like how good you looked or something?” he said jokingly with his guest.
A mild-mannered Katie joked that she “would have accepted that,” but she herself was still puzzled as to why she was denied entry.
‘That would be nice. He could have just said, “You look too hot, you can’t come in today,” but yeah, I’m not sure,” she said.
Ms Hally explained that she even offered to put on a coat to cover up her small tattoos but was told that would still be unacceptable.
Today star Karl Stefanovic, 48, has let loose about Gold Coast woman Katie Hally who was banned from Burleigh Pavilion over three small tattoos on Tuesday’s breakfast show. pictured
Karl tried to attribute the denial of entry to a possible security guard having a bad day. Katie was refused entry because of three small neck tattoos with Chinese symbols. Pictured: Karl, Sarah Abo and Katie
“I had a coat over my arm that I offered to put on and yes. I wasn’t allowed to do that either, so I don’t know,’ she said confused.
Karl called that “crazy” and said it was “probably just one guard having a bad day” in the night.
He then asked Katie if she was planning on going back to the location.
‘I did go back that day. I went home, changed and came back with my only collared shirt that I own,” she said.
Katie explained that the security guard barely looked at her when she returned to the beachside location.
Katie made headlines after she had to go home on Saturday to change into a collared shirt after being denied entry to Burleigh Pavilion due to the tattoo policy. pictured
Mrs. Hally offered to put on her coat, but she claims the bouncer declined her request. Katie had to change before returning to the venue to celebrate her friend’s birthday
‘I was allowed in. The guard didn’t look at me. I was like ”hey, have two” and he just looked at me like ”what are you talking about?”
Karl joked that his own questionable tattoos weren’t a problem for him in the past.
“If you get denied for bullshit ink work on your body, I’m not allowed to go anywhere, ever again,” he said.
Karl said he intended to contact the Burleigh Pavilion to see what could be done to get Katie back in the venue.
‘We’ll have a chat with the Burleigh Pavilion and see if we can get you back in there, because it’s a great venue. I love it there,” he said.
However, Katie said she just found the whole experience a little crazy.
“I just think it’s a little crazy. They are not rough tattoos. Even people with rough tattoos are still beautiful people. A pity.’
Burleigh Pavilion’s tattoo policy says guests with tattoos are allowed in unless they are “harassing, aggressive or offensive.” pictured