Free drinks to undercover agents leads to Mad Down Under Bar and Grill booze bust

Almost 100 bottles of wine – and two beer kegs – worth thousands of dollars could be destined for the drain after being seized from a Sydney restaurant operating without a liquor licence.

Almost 100 bottles of wine, and two beer kegs, worth thousands of dollars could be destined for the drain after being seized from a Sydney restaurant operating without a liquor licence.

The stash of liquor was taken after the restaurant owner allegedly offered two customers, who were undercover inspectors, “complimentary” drinks when they threatened to leave.

Liquor & Gaming NSW will allege staff at the Mad Down Under Bar and Grill restaurant served the undercover inspectors alcohol on Wednesday despite not having a liquor licence.

After the alleged incident, the North Ryde venue was raided by authorities with ­inspectors seizing 98 bottles of wine and two beer kegs as ­evidence.

The restaurant is one of three Mad Down Under Bar and Grills in Sydney, with the other two located in Bella Vista and Harris Park.

98 bottles of wine and two kegs were seized. .

North Ryde Mad Down Under Bar and Grill owner “Sam” – who asked his surname be withheld – said the ­alcohol was on the premises when he bought the restaurant last year.

Prior to it becoming a bar and grill, it had been operating as a licensed seafood restaurant, he said.

Once he realised the previous licence had expired, he applied for a new licence.

Three months on, a decision had not yet been made, he said.

“It was a trap,” he said.

“They came in here in plain clothes and asked for alcohol.

“We said we don’t sell alcohol and then they started to walk out.

“We are a small business. We said we could offer a glass of wine or beer … complimentary. We are not criminals.

Liquor being moved from the restaurant. Picture: Supplied

“The alcohol is worth about three or four thousand dollars. The beer kegs were empty. We have applied for a licence. People come here all the time wanting a drink with their meal. We need a licence or the business will struggle.”

Liquor & Gaming NSW declared it had previously warned the venue about serving alcohol without a licence, as had NSW Police.

Its regulatory operations executive director Jane Lin said selling alcohol without a licence was one of the most ­serious offences under the NSW Liquor Act, attracting fines of up to $11,000, one year in jail, or both.

“When a venue does not hold a liquor licence, the risk is that its operator may not be aware of, or adhere to, responsibilities under liquor legislation, and is not subject to the same controls as other premises,” she said.

“Those controls are essential to managing alcohol-related harms, including safeguarding against minors buying liquor, alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour.

“Staff serving alcohol at the premises may also not have Responsible Service of Alcohol training, which further increases the risk of harm occurring.”

Liquor seized by authorities is returned unless a person is found guilty, in which case it forfeited and destroyed.

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]

Originally published as Free drinks to undercover agents leads to Mad Down Under Bar and Grill booze bust