’Rape, drugs’: Aussie hospo giant exposed

A female bartender being raped inside the toilets of a popular Sydney restaurant is one of a number of claims made about one of the country’s most high profile hospitality groups as part of a major investigation.

Swillhouse CEO Anton Forte has apologised following a number of claims against the Sydney hospitality empire that were revealed in an expose by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Five former staff members said employees were encouraged to have sex with patrons and use drugs on duty, with one of the bartenders saying she was raped inside the bathrooms at Restaurant Hubert, in the city’s CBD, in 2013 after being made a cocktail with 10 different gins.

Swillhouse also owns the Caterpillar Club, the Baxter Inn, Le Foote, Alberto’s Lounge and Shady Pines Saloon.

Mr Forte said the group “sincerely regretted and apologised to any former employees who felt unsupported and at risk”.

Mr Forte said the hospitality group, which also owned Frankie’s Pizza before it was shut down in 2023, treated sexual assault allegations with the “highest level of urgency and care”.

The woman is pursuing legal action afte reporting the incident to NSW Police.

“I got completely blackout drunk and blacked out and came to with him raping me in the women’s bathrooms at work,” she told the Herald.

Mr Forte acknowledged that there had previously been “instances of juvenile and regrettable behaviour” from staff members.

In February 2023, Mr Forte wrote an email to all staff removing a policy that allowed staff one free “knock-off drink” as well as a 50 per cent discount on drinks.

“This email is tough to write,” he said in the memo.

“Due to several incidents at our venues involving staff and alcohol, we have had to decide to no longer offer this benefit. We understand that this benefit has been part of the fabric of our business and a considerable part of our culture.

“However, our commitment to you is more significant than just offering benefits. As a business, we also need to prioritise and promote a culture of safety and wellbeing.”

Mr Forte said the group now has “comprehensive policies, training and (employment assistance program) services in place for all employees today.”

“In hindsight, there were areas where we could have done better,” he said about the investigation.

One former bartender described the group as a “cult” and said staff at Hubert would frequently use “the cinque room” to do lines of cocaine while working.

The former bartenders also said that on occasion, staff were allowed to knock off early to have sex with customers.

At least two of the sexual assault allegations at the venues have been reported to NSW Police.

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