Ussi Moniz Da Silva’s Kings Cross clubs shut as staff chase ‘unpaid wages’

A restaurateur once credited with breathing new life into Kings Cross is believed to have left the country after his clubs and bars closed down amid claims he failed to pay staff.

A man once credited with breathing new life into Kings Cross is believed to have left the country, after four of his popular Sydney restaurants and clubs quietly closed down amid claims he owed money to staff, patrons and landlords.

Ussi Moniz Da Silva was the seemingly high-flying restaurateur reinvigorating Kings Cross with boutique clubs and restaurants.

In 2021-22, the 29-year-old opened four high-end hotspots, including Eros Restaurant in Potts Point, Maali nightclub next door, Sinaloa in Double Bay and Kings Cross Pavilion.

Maali, Eros and King Cross Pavilion took residence in buildings where famous former nightclubs Candy’s and World Bar operated in the Golden Mile’s glory days.

The venues attracted celebrities and the eastern suburbs elite, hosting the premiere for the new television series The Last King of the Cross just a few weeks ago.

Bar owner and restaurateur Ussi Moniz Da Silva.

However, Mr Moniz Da Silva’s hospitality empire began to crumble quickly afterwards, following instances of violence, allegations of underpayment and breaches of licence.

Mr Moniz Da Silva was active on social media until last week, flaunting his lavish lifestyle and business success.

But now his personal profiles have been deleted, he has reportedly left the country, and his businesses have been closed.

Staff say they have not been paid, while landlords have taken over the venues and warned their former tenant against trespassing.

Employees began to notice cracks in Mr Moniz Da Silva’s management in January, after they allege payment runs were delayed.

In text messages seen by The Saturday Telegraph, staff were constantly asking when they would be paid — and were told on several occasions that pay runs were delayed due to “downturns in trade”.

The doors at Sinaloa have been chained shut. Picture: Tim Hunter

Temporary closure signs are still on display at Eros. Picture: Tim Hunter

The Fair Work Ombudsman confirmed it was investigating reports of underpayments at venues owned by Mr Moniz Da Silva.

“The Fair Work Ombudsman is investigating Sinaloa. As this matter is ongoing, it is not appropriate to comment further at this time,” a spokesperson said.

“Any workers with concerns about their pay or entitlements are encouraged to contact us directly.”

Staff who spoke to The Telegraph on the condition of anonymity claimed they had been put in uncomfortable situations at Mr Moniz Da Silva’s venues. One staffer claimed unknown figures had come to the venues on several occasions demanding to know where Mr Moniz Da Silva was, and expecting to eat and drink for free.

“There were a lot of questionable, heavy characters coming in,” they said.

Signage at Maali has been removed ...

... and has been scored out at King Cross Pavilion.

The Saturday Telegraph has been told the Potts Point venues have been taken over by new management, and are set to reopen with new names.

In February, Maali was forced to close for 58 hours after it was served with a temporary closure notice by the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority following a violent brawl inside the club.

Just one week later, the Eros Restaurant, which sits next door to Maali, was issued with a similar temporary closure notice.

It’s understood the ILGA issued a 60-hour closure notice on February 3, after police received information that members of an outlaw motorcycle gang were plotting to attend the venue to commit an act of retribution. Eros – and all of Mr Moniz Da Silva’s other venues – then failed to ­reopen following the temporary closures.

Unaware of the shutdown, patrons showed up to dine at Eros to find the building empty. To book a table at Eros, diners had to pay an online deposit – redeemable at the restaurant.

With the social media accounts and email addresses for each of the venues having been removed, patrons haven’t been able to request refunds for their failed bookings.

The Telegraph tried to contact Mr Moniz Da Silva using several email addresses associated with each venue.

He was also contacted by phone, but has not responded.

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