Love Machine’s Sterling Nightclubs charged over alleged drunk visitor and hosting dancefloor against pandemic rules at Prahran venue

A nightclub operator is facing charges it allowed a dancefloor to kick into action and a drunken patron on site during covid restrictions.

Sterling Nightclubs, which operates The Love Machine in Prahran, has been charged by the Department of Justice and Community Safety and the State Liquor Unit.

A nightclub operator has disputed it hosted a dance floor and housed a drunk patron at a popular Melbourne hotspot during covid restrictions

Sterling Nightclubs, which operates Prahran‘s Love Machine and another South Yarra venue, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

The nightclub operator faces charges from both the Department of Justice and Community Safety and the State Liquor Unit in relation to alleged offending in 2021 and 2022.

Court documents reveal the Community Safety Department will allege Sterling breached a pandemic order on February 6, 2022 when it failed to ensure no patrons or staff used an indoor space as a dancefloor.

The dance floor allegedly formed at The Love Machine about 11.40pm.

Court documents further allege that Sterling allowed a drunk woman to remain at the same Prahran venue on December 18 2021.

During the contested mention, defence lawyers for Sterling raised significant issues with the evidence police intend to rely upon.

A defence lawyer appearing on behalf of Sterling said it was “unfortunate” the Department was taking a “dogmatic” view of the alleged offending because the relevant order expired a fortnight later.

The matter related to an alleged drunk patron was adjourned to February 19.

The alleged dance floor matter was adjourned to March 4 for a three day hearing.