‘Large-scale theft’ partially to blame for Jon Adgemis’ Byron Bay Lovers Lane nightclub collapse
Embattled hospitality boss Jon Adgemis has made an extraordinary claim a “large-scale theft” is partially responsible for the collapse of one of his signature venues.
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Embattled hospitality boss Jon Adgemis has made an extraordinary claim a “large-scale theft” is partially responsible for the collapse of one of his signature venues.
Mr Adgemis is battling to keep his faltering hospitality empire, which boasted an impressive portfolio of venues including boutique hotel Oxford House, pubs The Lady Hampshire and the Camelia Grove and Noah’s Backpackers, out of the hands of liquidators as he faces down hundreds of millions of dollars in debt.
Among his suite of venues is the Lovers Lane nightclub in Byron Bay, once described as a “rambunctious” venue hosting the “biggest parties in town”, with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission posting a notice confirming a liquidator had been appointed to the business.
However, Mr Adgemis exclusively told The Daily Telegraph the venue – which once hosted a live set from viral electronic dance sensation Darude – had been dormant for more than 12 months and said it was not a recent “hospitality fall over”.
A Facebook post on May 9 last year said: “Lovers Lane is closing briefly for renovations, but we’ve got one more weekend of live DJs, cocktails and dancing before we do. Join us this week and stay tuned for our reopening date.”
Mr Adgemis revealed the venue closed partially because of what he alleges was a large-scale theft, which put “pressure” on the business, and is said to be under investigation by police.
“We had an enormous six-figure theft in the business, which is still under police review,” Mr Adgemis said.
“There were also other things going on in my world.”
Mr Adgemis said he did not renew the nightclub’s lease because a lot of money would be needed to get it up and running again.
In 2024, DJs who worked at Lover’s Lane had also alleged they spent months chasing thousands of dollars in unpaid invoices since the venue closed.
When asked, Mr Adgemis was circumspect about his future plans as court battles over his other assets continue.
“I’m going to keep my head down and just keep doing what I’m doing,” he said.
The former KPMG deal-maker was once known for his extravagant parties aboard the Italian-built yacht Hiilani, which was once owned by Hollywood legend Shirley Temple.
The Telegraph recently revealed the boat was sold as part of Mr Adgemis’ ongoing effort to keep his pub empire afloat as he grapples with $500m in debts.
Mr Adgemis’ attempt to keep venues including Oxford House, The Exchange, The Norfolk, The Strand Hotel and Camelia Grove Hotel in Sydney has involved one of his companies paying $600,000 to cover superannuation entitlements for 150 Public Hospitality staff members.
Staff are still owed $6.7m that must be paid by July 31.
Duncan Clubb, from administrator BDO, said Mr Adgemis had accumulated his portfolio of pubs when financing was cheap and had been caught out by the increased cost of borrowing following the Covid pandemic.
His money woes also include being sued by Georges River Council in Sydney’s south for unpaid rates, and allegations he mortgaged his mother’s $10m Rose Bay home without her knowledge.
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