A SYDNEY restaurant is removing urinals shaped like women's mouths and has apologised for causing offence. The two urinals, in the shape of bright red, wide-open lips, were installed in the French restaurant Ananas Bar and Brasserie in Sydney's Rocks area.

The restaurant said the urinals were "a commonly used European design piece from female Dutch artist Meike van Schijnde" but would be removed.

"We sincerely apologise if they have caused offence. They are being removed today," a spokeswoman said in a statement.

A spokeswoman for the interior design company that selected the items for the restaurant described them as "playful".

Feminist publisher Anne Summers said interior design was not an excuse for misogyny.

"Misogyny is very widespread, and this is just an example of misogyny," she said.

"The concept is pretty challenging and confronting."