THE Paddington pub that banned high-vis vests as part of a post-renovation dress code is facing a social media backlash from angry punters who have labelled the move “discriminatory”.

The Village Inn in Oxford St Paddington enraged tradies and blue collar workers earlier this week with its decision to outlaw fluorescent work clothes, prompting the state secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union to dub the watering hole ‘The Village Idiot’.

Following a blasting from Today show host Karl Stefanovic this morning, the pub’s Facebook page has been flooded with criticism.

“Another wanker hipster establishment, imitating trends instead of creating them, discriminating against workers because all you want is idiots with beards and pretentious tattoos?” posted Brandon Chant.

“Get ready for all the hate mail ... Us Hi-viz. workers stick together !!! United we stand,” posted Ese Wayne LeiLua.

“Well if tradies aren’t allowed in, who is going to fix the electrics, plumbing, ... Who is going to deliver the kegs, the wine and spirits and the quinoa?” posted Knorl Gragernoff.

media_camera The Village Inn at Paddington has undergone an extensive renovation. Picture: Ross Schultz

NSW premier Mike Baird has also weighed in to the debate, saying the dress code was “outrageous”.

“It means politicians won’t be able to enter pubs. We’ve got our hard hats on,” Mr Baird said.

“I’m with the construction guys. Look, pubs can make their own decisions but that seems a very odd decision.”

Asked if he would visit the venue clad in high-vis work gear, Mr Baird vowed to vote with his feet. “I think the next opportunity, I’m going to go down there and make a point,” he said.

The hotel, formerly known as Durty Nelly’s, introduced the dress code after a recent major renovation at the behest of owner and licensee Leeroy Petersen.

media_camera Inside The Village Inn at Paddington.

The Daily Telegraph put the policy to the test yesterday, ordering a drink at the bar while wearing a high-vis vest and clutching a hard-hat.

The waitress informed us the attire was strictly banned and asked us to “remove the jacket” before we sat down to peruse the menu.

Visible discrimination? Is this smartening up a pub - or segregation? Tell us your thoughts below

After chatting with her boss Mr Petersen, the waitress then asked us to put the jacket out of sight below the table.

In incredible scenes, Mr Petersen then yelled across the pub: “If it’s not OK, go f … ing eat somewhere else,” when asked why the policy was in force.

As we left he said: “OK I apologise for swearing.”

media_camera Daily Telegraph journalist Taylor Auerbach being punted from the Village Inn.

media_camera Daily Telegraph journo Taylor Auerbach after being punted from the " Village Inn" where wearing high viz vests are banned.

Mr Petersen then followed The Daily Telegraph’s journalist and photographer up Oxford St demanding to know why he had been “set up”.

He posted their photos on his Facebook page along with juvenile threats and vile homophobic slurs not fit for print.

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Interviewed prior to his extraordinary blow-up, Mr Petersen said while it was a shame to lose some of the venue’s longstanding customers, the change was a positive move.

media_camera Village Inn publican Leeroy Peterson talking to Taylor Auerbach / Picture: Ross Schultz

“It was a tradie pub before, but a lot has changed and it’s now a massive food venue that’s attracting all walks of life and everyone that works around here.

“There are no tradies anymore, we have a no high-vis policy, it doesn’t fit the demographic of the area anymore and I needed to make the venue more accommodating and unfortunately we had to go down this road.

“The Irish tradies knew the pub was changing so it’s fine.”

However Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) state secretary Russ Collison said the Paddington pub’s new policy is unfairly discriminating against key workers.

He said there was a modern emphasis on workplace safety and workers had no choice but to wear high-vis uniforms.

“Many managers that enter construction or manufacturing sites also wear high-vis uniforms. This pub is unfairly discriminating against people that have a safety conscience who wish to pop in and relax with friends and workmates before returning home.

media_camera Mr Petersen followed Taylor Auerbach up Oxford Street demanding to know why he had been “set up” / Picture: Ross Schultz

“The Village Inn has become the Village Idiot as it is tries to introduce class segregation in the modern era … this pub seems to treat high-vis wearers as second class citizens.

“I won’t be seen at any pub that wishes to create division in the community and I will recommend that people avoid this place until common sense prevails.”

The AWU noted that many workers start their shifts fairly early and finish their shift by early afternoon and dropping into the pub may fill the void as the family may not be home till later in the afternoon.

A diet coke at The Village Inn cost $5, a schooner of beer was $9.

media_camera Denied ... Taylor Auerbach after being punted from The Village Inn / Picture: Ross Schultz

Daily Telegraph comment

FAIR GO FOR THE VEST

Yes, it appears that yet another old fashioned Paddington pub — a surprise in itself that there were any left — has decided to go up-market.

Of course, we all know that the once working-class suburb long ago went from Paddo to Volvo.

But instead of the usual sly trick of just pricing out the riffraff with $20 drinks or the introduction of the dreaded schmiddy, The Village Inn has decided to call a spade a spade — even if those who use one are apparently no longer welcome.

They are simply banning workers wearing hi-visibility clothing.

Without wanting to jump on the usual outrage bandwagon, the obvious snobbery of this decision is outweighed only by the obvious stupidity: Someone in hi-vis is just as likely to be an engineer, foreman or surveyor on a six figure salary.

Private establishments have the right to impose dress codes — but it’s just another indication of the disconnect between inner city trendoids (who, ironically, consider themselves the bastions of tolerance) and the average workers who build the roads on which their Volvos drive.

Talk about blind prejudice. You’d think a hi-vis vest would be just the thing to fix it.