Who the FCUK is this Sarge bloke anyway ?

New Order minder gets marching order 20 January 2002 Sunday Star-Times

By JANE WYNYARD A security guard for UK band New Order says he was shocked and insulted after being kicked out of a posh Auckland restaurant because of his tattoos.

Sarge, a fully-tattooed Englishman who was minder for New Order during its visit for the Big Day Out last week, was shown the door at Euro Restaurant and Bar on Princes Wharf because owner Leo Molloy claimed his tattoos were offensive.

"It made me feel like shit really," said Sarge. "I've worked for heaps of famous bands and toured the world with New Order and Joy Division for 20 years and I have never been treated like this anywhere. I thought of all places, especially with your Maori tattoos, that tattoos here would be normal and accepted."

Molloy said company policy required a reasonable standard of dress and tattoos were not allowed.

"If you want to scribble on your arms go eat at a pie cart. That's my attitude," he said. "Mullet haircuts, tattoos, black jeans, denim shirts, go somewhere else. People have a right to do what they like with their own bodies but I don't have to tolerate it in my joint, and it's my right."

Sarge said he and members of New Order had been sitting in the bar for 1½ hours waiting to be served before he was asked to leave.

"The bar manager came over and told me to put a jacket on because of my tattoos. I said I don't know why I should and then next thing, he's saying he's going to have to assert his authority. He said the owner wouldn't serve me because of my tattoos so me and Steve (drummer Stephen Morris) just walked out."

Sarge said he was restrained in his response to the owner but didn't want to make a scene in front of everyone. So he opted to go to Burger King instead.

Molloy said people dined at Euro for a "unique dining experience" and their interests and rights were protected. "I don't think you should have to sit next to a person dressed in a denim shirt with tattoos all over his arms."

Molloy said he reinforced company policy when a staff member asked his opinion about Sarge's tattoos. "I had a look at his arms and I said 'No'.

"I don't care if it's New Order or the Rolling Stones. If I let him in that's fine but what about next week when I hear from 10 different people 'Leo's let Euro go to the pack - it's now a Westie bar'."

It's not the first time Molloy and his restaurant have hit the headlines.

Last February he threatened former MP and Sunday Star-Times columnist Michael Laws after Laws argued with the maitre d' over paying for a meal by cheque.

Molloy told Laws Euro did not take cheques but Laws said he had not seen any signs referring to cheque policy. He left his business card and a note to say where he could be contacted if staff had further problems. His cheque was honoured.

Molloy claimed Laws was hysterical and left a phone message with Laws saying he had a "real problem publicly" and to call back "unless you want more trouble".

Molloy denied he was deliberately confrontational. "I behave like this all the time. I don't like taking crap from journalists."

Laws denied he was hysterical and labelled Molloy a bully. "I think this guy was either having a bad, bad, bad day or has short man's disease."

Also in February, Melbourne Storm rugby league team manager Michael Moore drowned in the Auckland Viaduct Harbour following late-night drinking at Euro.

Moore presumably hit his head on a pontoon after vaulting himself into the water. He had been drinking at the restaurant with other members of the Storm team and told patrons just after 3am to "watch this" before walking across Princes Wharf and attempting to vault himself into the harbour.

In November 1999, Euro turned away untidily dressed America's Cup yachties. Members from Team Dennis Connor, Nippon Challenge and Aloha Racing complained about being refused entry.

Molloy said the restaurant wanted a better quality of customer "and that was our right".

AgentWood wrote: i wouldn't stand for a gaggle of yachting enthusiasts eating at my restaurant, either. nasty people, them yachters.

Isn't Barney one of them? ;)