Chris Lucas’ Society restaurant fined for Covid lockdown breach

Chris Lucas has vowed to fight a fine issued to his new five-star restaurant, Society, for breaching Victoria’s snap lockdown.

Chris Lucas’ five-star new restaurant Society was fined by police for breaching Thursday night’s snap lockdown.

During a spot check of inner-city restaurants police found a handful of patrons still inside Lucas’ fine dining venue past the 8pm curfew.

Lucas, who is one of Melbourne’s most vocal and high profile hospitality campaigners, told the Saturday Herald Sun it was an innocent misunderstanding and the patrons were waiting inside the venue for their Uber to arrive.

Chris Lucas has been a critic of the impact of repeated lockdowns on hospitality. Picture: Jason Edwards

The restaurant’s general manager and security had earlier sealed off the 80 Collins St elevator entrance into the new million dollar establishment due to the growing amount of lockdown protesters outside.

No food or beverages were served after the 8pm cut-off, and no transactions were made.

Chris Lucas said he would contest the fine as he praised his staff and he said police had been understanding and considerate.

“I am incredibly proud of my team and how fast they turned everything round on Thursday night with such short notice,” Lucas told the Saturday Herald Sun.

“We had five or six guests waiting on Ubers, and as the city got heated we had a few protesters outside.

“They started to arrive on the streets of the CBD, the action of our general manager to engage security and shut the lifts down was the right decision.

“The police who were in the area were considerate and understanding. They visited again on Friday morning and advised we would receive a fine but that we should contest it.

We will be doing so.”

Just 24 hours earlier, Melbourne’s who’s who had gathered at Society’s sister restaurant, Lillian Terrace, next door.