After hosting a grand opening of their new restaurant, Club Rose Bay suddenly closes with staff terminated

On Thursday night they held a grand opening with free pizza and pasta, but by Friday morning, Club Rose Bay was closed. Find out went wrong.

On Thursday August 29th, Club Rose Bay was celebrating the grand opening of their new Italian Bistro Villaggio. On Friday morning, the doors to the waterside club were locked and staff terminated after the club went into receivership.

According to Australian Securities and Investments Commission documents, the long standing RSL club was placed into administration on August 15th.

The administrators are Hugh Armenis and Jason Lloyd Porter of SV Porters.

The first meeting of creditors was held on Tuesday 27 August and the Administrators said in a statement they were “continuing to trade the club in an attempt to explore possible scenarios for its future.”

On Thursday, the club still held their grand opening for the new caterers Villaggio - which is run under separate management - giving away free pizza and pasta.

However in the same statement, SV Porters said the conditions changed on Friday.

“On Friday a major change occurred when Simon Cathro and Andrew Blundell of Cathro & Partners were appointed Receivers by a secured creditor. As a consequence, they took control of the assets of the Club. The Receivers closed the club and terminated all staff (approximately 20 which were employed on a casual basis).”

According to the club’s annual reports, in 2022 it was trading at a loss of over $350 000. In 2023 it was trading at a loss of just over $40 000.

Exterior of the Club Rose Bay in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Picture: Supplied

Villaggio is a restaurant that has locations at other clubs around Sydney including Merrylands Bowling Club, Richmond Club, Club Blacktown and West Ashfield Leagues Club.

They were recently brought into Club Rose Bay to relaunch their food offering and locals on social media described it as a mix of “East Meets West.”

Villaggio has now taken the mention of Rose Bay off it’s Instagram social media posts, and there is no suggestion that it faces any financial difficulties. It is still trading at its other locations. There is no suggestion Villaggio is facing financial difficulties.

There has also been no mention of the Club’s closure on it’s social pages and website. Instead, on Sunday, its instagram page was still advertising patrons to book their next event at the club.

Despite being closed, Club Rose Bay’s socials are still suggesting guests to book an event at the venue.

“Club Rose Bay is the perfect venue for the next big event,” the Instagram and Facebook post said.

“Our newly refreshed Deck Bar Lounge features stunning water views and is stylish and sophisticated, while our upstairs Monash Hall offers a more private space.”

The Daily Telegraph contacted Club Rose Bay for a comment.