Justin Hemmes on life in lockdown and plans to revitalise Sydney nightlife

Justin Hemmes’ lockdown lifestyle — south coast beach, model girlfriend, full glass — may look idyllic, but the bar impresario has had his share of worries.

While social media has offered a tantalising glimpse of Justin Hemmes’ enviable lockdown lifestyle — including long days on a remote south coast beach with a beautiful model, a great tan and a full glass — the bar impresario has had his share of worries during Sydney’s latest crippling 16-week hospitality closure.

Chief among them, though he’s reluctant to talk about them, the full or partial closure of 70-odd venues, the loss of income, the 3000-plus staff who owe their livelihoods to him, the construction shutdown that jeopardised plans to open half a dozen new venues in future weeks, and time spent apart from his ageing mum.

Justin Hemmes with girlfriend Madeline Holtznagel during lockdown. Picture: Instagram

But having thrown open his doors to a swag of venues and welcomed a throng of excited patrons back last week, this columnist found Hemmes in a jubilant and high-spirited mood on Saturday, with the people of Sydney, his faithful patrons, to thank for it.

“It’s been fabulous,” Hemmes said of his first week back trading. “It’s been the best New Year’s I’ve ever had.

“It’s so wonderful to see what’s happening in the suburbs. The city’s coming back to life.

“It’s great to see everyone coming back with a renewed love for connection and social interaction that will reset the future for hospitality. I honestly believe that,” said the hospitality poster boy, whose empire has been put at a billion dollars.

Hemmes celebrates the end of lockdowns. Picture: Tim Hunter

Having snapped up six new venues prior to the latest lockdown that began in June, Hemmes said he’s had a fairly busy four months building and renovating new venues, retraining staff and refreshing menus.

His newest venue, Narooma’s The Quarterdeck – located just minutes from Hemmes’ expansive 60ha south coast property overlooking Glasshouse Rocks, his preferred lockdown retreat – reopened mid week.

It was here that he spent a long stretch of lockdown isolating with his leggy girlfriend, model Madeline Holtznagel, who is double vaxxed like Hemmes.

Next to reopen will be Rozelle’s 3 Weeds pub after a major refit.

Then there’s a handful of CBD joints, among them The Alex in Alexandria – so many new venues in the pipes for Hemmes it seems he’s lost count.

Hemmes hits the beach with daughter Alexa.

The bar tsar getting vaccinated.

“We kept all our construction jobs going during lockdown,” he said.

“We’ve got three, no, four new venues opening soon.

“Actually there’s more, we’ve been supercharged for about a month now.

“In fact, we’ve been busy throughout — offering takeaways and coffees where we could,” said the Merivale boss, acknowledging the role his staff have played in finding creative alternatives to full closures. “Even without income, there’s been a lot to do.”

Despite the economic downturn suffered by the business sector, Hemmes had only raves for the state government: “I think the NSW government has done an excellent job under the circumstances, giving us clarity and reassurance.”

Even so, the 49-year-old said he hoped never to endure another lockdown in his lifetime.

One of the great and surprising joys of lockdown, confessed the father-of-two, was homeschooling eldest daughter Alexa, who’s in kindergarten.

Hemmes, with Holtznagel, says he has been busy throughout lockdown.

Holtznagel strikes a pose. Pictures: Instagram

“To see the joy on my five-year-old’s face when she’s learning something new and getting it right, I would never have experienced that if it weren’t for lockdown,” he said.

Among post-lockdown priorities, according to the owner of nightclub The Ivy, which is scheduled to reopen with clubs next month, is bringing dancing back.

“Just before our last lockdown we had the clubs trading at full tilt and I’d never seen so much joy to be dancing,” said the groove-loving Hemmes, who supports around 300 live music gigs a week via his venues.

“I think there will be a huge revival on dancefloors.

“Dancing is tribal. It’s innate in our DNA makeup.

“We almost forgot about it pre-lockdown and it’s just sparked that innate sense to come together and dance and move your body and raise your hands and smile and sing and it’s just a wonderful thing.”

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