Gross bet at centre of hospo empire scandal

More shocking allegations have been levelled at one of Australia’s most prestigious hospitality groups.

A group of bartenders at a popular Sydney venue once competed to be the first to have sex with a customer at the venue in a bid to win a bottle of 1982 Penfolds Grange, an investigation has revealed.

Swillhouse CEO Anton Forte stepped down from the Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association on Wednesday following an investigation by the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age which levelled claims of rape, drug use and harassment levelled against the hospitality group.

Mr Forte himself is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Jason Scott and Anton Forte founded Swillhouse in 2018. Both men are not accused of any wrongdoing. Picture: News Corp Australia

Swillhouse, who are now in damage control over the wild claims, owns six of Sydney’s most prestigious venues – The Baxter Inn, Le Foote, Restaurant Hubert, the Caterpillar Club, Alberto’s Lounge and Shady Pines. The group also owned Frankie’s Pizza before it was shut down in 2023.

On Thursday, more claims were revealed by the Herald, outlining a bet between staff at The Baxter Inn of who could have sex with a customer first.

After three hours, one of the staff members allegedly had sex with a customer in a room behind an old bank vault door – emerging to claim his prize of a wine worth more than $1000.

Mr Scott (right) has since moved to the US. Picture: Nikki Short

In a statement to news.com.au, a spokesman for Swillhouse said some of the claims related to incidences 16 years ago, assuring patrons they were not representative of the “business we are today”.

“Since our earlier days, our policies and procedures have evolved, our HR team has expanded, and a greater support network looks vastly different,” the spokesman said.

“Swillhouse has worked very hard in recent years to promote a diverse, inclusive, and safe workplace – an environment where bullying, harassment and discrimination will not be tolerated.”

Restaurant Hubert opened in 2016. Picture: News Corp Australia.

The spokesman also said the group was “committed to rebuilding” trust with its customers.

“The topics addressed in recent media cover a wide range of issues over a period spanning years, dating back to 2008. Over this 16-year period, we are under no illusions; Swillhouse was not always a perfect workplace,” he said.

“But that is not the business we are today and certainly not the business we strive to be.”

In another blow to the empire’s patronage, an Instagram post from the company announced the cancellation of its inaugural Swillfest, billed as “probably the world’s most original wine fair”, on Thursday evening.

“Our responsibility and focus right now is to our people and their wellbeing, and for this reason, we don’t feel it’s appropriate to go ahead with plans for the Swillfest on 21 September,” the post read, alongside an apology to the public.

“We’ve decided to postpone the event. We will issue refunds to all ticket holders.”

The company described the event as “part wine fair, music festival, Bacchanalian revival, and full cultural freakout” with pop-up food and beverage stores.

A report from the Herald on Wednesday revealed that staff members were often encouraged to have sex with patrons and use drugs on duty.

Frankie's Pizza was closed to make way for the Sydney Metro. Picture: News Corp Australia

One former female bartender claims she was raped inside the bathrooms at Restaurant Hubert, in the city’s CBD, in 2013 after being made a cocktail with 10 different gins.

She reported the incident to police and is currently before the courts.

Another former bartender said staff at Hubert would frequently use “the cinque room” to do lines of cocaine while working.

In February 2023, Mr Forte wrote an email to all staff removing a policy that allowed staff one free “knock-off drink” as well as a 50 per cent discount on drinks.

The Baxter Inn at Clarence Street in Sydney CBD. Picture: News Corp Australia

“This email is tough to write,” he said in the memo.

“Due to several incidents at our venues involving staff and alcohol, we have had to decide to no longer offer this benefit. We understand that this benefit has been part of the fabric of our business and a considerable part of our culture.

“However, our commitment to you is more significant than just offering benefits. As a business, we also need to prioritise and promote a culture of safety and wellbeing.”

At least two sexual assault allegations at the venues have been reported to NSW Police.

Originally published as Gross bet at centre of hospo empire scandal