MEMO to all men in suits: the Armani may impress the ladies, but not the bouncer.

A swag of Melbourne's trendiest bars are banning men kitted out in suits, in an apparent case of reverse discrimination.

From a funky container bar to a city venue with stuffed animals, growing numbers of watering holes are shunning corporate attire for a more relaxed vibe.

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Bohemian-style bar Lucky Coq in Windsor has even faced legal action by two patrons in the past over its dress code, which manager Peter Baker said was unsuccessful.

"People can get quite uppity about it," Mr Baker said.

"Two people tried to sue us, I think it was more about pride for them."

Mr Baker said men could remove their jackets and ties and the restrictions were about setting the right mood.

"There's a certain sort of feel to a place full of people in suits, it's not what we really want," he said.

"We want to keep it as relaxed as possible."

Sister bar Bimbo Deluxe, in Fitzroy, shares the same policy, he said.

But a Bimbo Deluxe spokesman said the bars were more likely to enforce it at night after work than in the day.

The popular Carlton Hotel, on Bourke St, has a strict no-suit policy after 10pm.

"It is primarily to encourage a relaxed non-corporate atmosphere, and secondly to avoid pre-loaders - an expression used to describe customers who have been to a prior function, be it the races or a wedding.

"This is the same reason for not allowing fascinators or footy colours admission, as nine times out of 10, they're already intoxicated. The message being, there will be trouble on the door if you're intoxicated wearing a business suit, vintage Dior, and anything in between."

Section 8, housed in shipping containers in a Melbourne laneway, requires patrons to remove work attire - be it fluro workman's vests, or ties and jackets - after 5pm.

Manager Benjamin Bocock said they wanted the bar to be a social leveller where people could leave work behind.

"You finish work, take off the tie and undo the top button, and everyone becomes one," he said.

"It's a place of non stereotyping - suits sitting next to artists and workmen."

Small business proprietor Steve Myers, 26, of Notting Hill, said it was not always convenient to change after work.

"I like to go and have drinks after work somewhere relaxed, normally I'd just loosen my tie," he said.

"Being in a suit doesn't mean you are drunk or uptight or going to cause trouble. It would be disappointing to be turned away."

Melbourne councillor Jennifer Kanis said people should not be judged on what they are wearing.

"Good behaviour or bad behaviour does not depend on whether you are wearing a suit," she said.

"If the bars are worried they will be intoxicated, judge people on whether they are intoxicated."

dohertye@heraldsun.com.au



Originally published as Forget the suit, Melbourne men told