Kings Cross restaurant and bar bans tips and automatic surcharges

No tipping. No automatic service charge for large bookings. And no set dining times and limits. A new Sydney restaurant and bar wants to bring back old school hospitality.

The Velvet Glove, run by Hayley Gooley, has got rid of tipping, dining surcharges and seating times. Picture: Thomas Lisson

No tipping. No automatic service charge for large bookings. And no set dining times and limits.

The Velvet Glove, a new club and restaurant at Darlinghurst, has turned the tables on Sydney’s dining culture.

Customers don’t need to be in and out in two hours. They don’t take credit card authorisations for bookings, they don’t put an automatic surcharge on the bill for large groups and don’t accept tips.

Owner Hayley Gooley insists they aren’t breaking new ground.

“We aren’t doing anything differently. We are bringing things back to basics and giving people genuine hospitality,” Gooley said.

The Darlinghurst venue wants to focus on old school hospitality.

The intimate new art-infused venue has opened with the aim of feeling like an exclusive private club but with an inclusive atmosphere.

On the menu they have dishes like black angus Eye Fillet steak and Strawberry Foie Gras, and there is artwork from Da Vinci and Monet on the wall

Gooley admitted it meant initially it was hard to find staff. However, instead of getting tips, her staff share in profits.

“We want to guests to feel included. So if you want to come in at 4pm and sit on one drink for hours, you’re not going to get kicked out,” Gooley said.

“What we have found, it’s worked in roundabout way, that we’ve got [staff] aligned with us and what we do,” she said.

And what is better for staff is customers coming back again and again.

“We aren’t doing this to change industry, although that would be nice.

“We are doing it because we want to create a venue we love and an experience we don’t feel like we can always get in other places.”