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The café that gives women priority seating and charges men more

A café that gives women priority seating and charges men more is making waves in Melbourne's inner north.

Handsome Her is a cafe where women reign supreme, with the owner, Alexandra O'Brien, explaining she wants the surcharge on men to address the gender pay gap.

She calls it a space for women, by women with women receiving priority seating and an extra tax for men.

Ms O'Brien came up with the idea. Source: 7 News
Ms O'Brien came up with the idea. Source: 7 News

"One week out of every month we have an 18 per cent premium for men which is the same as the gender pay gap," Ms O'Brien said.

"I think it's fair - if you think about the world and the gender inequality that we have," a female customer told 7 News.

Women are given priority. Source: 7 News
Women are given priority. Source: 7 News

"I think it's a brilliant idea because I don't think many people actually know the gap," another female customer said.

The tax is optional but so far, none of the cafe's male customers have refused to pay it.

Ms O'Brien hopes to address the gender pay gap. Source: 7 News
Ms O'Brien hopes to address the gender pay gap. Source: 7 News

"I could wear that, given it's a fairly unequal pay gap between men and women," customer Phil Dempster said.

Phil Dempster said he doesn't mind paying the difference. Source: 7 News
Phil Dempster said he doesn't mind paying the difference. Source: 7 News

"Even though there is supposedly equal pay, it doesn't really equate out there."

Staff say the gender tax isn't aimed at excluding people but rather educating them with proceeds going to charity.

Staff don't want to exclude people. Source: 7 News
Staff don't want to exclude people. Source: 7 News

"If men don't want to pay it, we're not going to kick them out the door. It's just an opportunity to do some good," Ms O'Brien said.