Strippers stunned, friends poles apart after strip club stoush

As they scuffled on a stage filled with fleeing exotic dancers at gentleman’s club Harem, designer Joshua Clapp and nightclub Julian Tobias’ 15-year friendship was over. Clapp this week pleaded guilty to assault.

Josh Slapp, left, and Julian Tobias, right, had a falling out at Harem Gentleman's Club, main picture and centre.

A late-night fight at a Kings Cross strip club ruined a 15-year friendship between a nightclub baron and a respected interior designer – but the cause of the heated row remains a mystery.

Socialite businessman Julian Tobias and hospitality concept designer Joshua Clapp’s 15-year friendship ended in a scuffle at Harem Gentleman’s Cub in front of stunned strippers and patrons on April 7.

Clapp, 50, was standing in front of the club’s main stage just after 1.10am, as scantily clad dancers performed in front of the crowds – according to court documents.

Tobias, 44, was there too, and attempted to walk past Clapp when his old friend threw two punches into the side of his head, according to court documents.

The altercation escalated quickly, with Clapp dragging Tobias onto the pole-adorned stage filled with dancers, before he dished out another two punches to Tobias’ head.

Exotic dancers fled as the fight spilled on to the stage at Harem, according to court documents.

The dancers were forced to abandon the stage as security tried to break up the middle-aged mates, who were now wrestling on the floor of the “Arabian” themed men’s club.

According to court documents, Clapp was thrown out of the venue by security, while Tobias remained inside.

. Picture: Supplied

Julian Tobias. Picture Justin Lloyd.

About 1.30am, Tobias attempted to leave but was again met by Clapp outside, where a war of words continued between the pair.

Police patrolling the Kings Cross strip broke up the argument and ordered the pair move on.

According to court documents, Tobias walked down to his popular club Sussudio on Kellett St, and was speaking to friends when Clapp approached again, punching him twice in the side of the head, causing the 44-year-old to fall to the ground.

Security guards from Tobias’ club jumped in to help, pulling Clapp off him.

Tobias, a one-time Cleo Bachelor of the Year finalist, attended a medical centre later that day before receiving treatment in St Vincent’s Hospital.

GUILTY PLEA TO ASSAULT

According to NSW Police, a report was made to police.

Clapp attended Kings Cross Police Station with his lawyer on April 14 and was charged with two counts of common assault. He refused to be interviewed by police.

He faced court last week, where he pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order.

He was also slapped with an AVO, banning him from contacting or going near Tobias. He was also banned from going within 50 metres of Tobias’ $5.5 million Bondi penthouse or stepping foot in any of his clubs. Tobias was not charged.

Clapp is a well-known identity in the eastern suburbs hospitality clique and is the face behind Steel and Stitch – an interior design and construction company that specialises in hospitality venues.

The 50-year-old was responsible for the design and concept behind several hot spots, including the Flamingo Lounge, Franca Brasserie, Intercontinental at Double Bay and Tobias’ exclusive club Bedouin.

Tobias made his entry into the night-life business almost two decades ago when he launched Potts Point institution The Club. Since then, he has opened Sydney Harbour’s famous floating day club The Island and Sussudio in Potts Point.