In August, the Sydney Morning Herald published a report detailing allegations of sexual misconduct against Sydney-based hospitality group Swillhouse. The company is behind six venues: Le Foote, Caterpillar Club, Shady Pines Saloon, Hubert, Alberto’s Lounge and The Baxter Inn, plus the now-closed Frankie’s Pizza.

The masthead claimed the group, across its venues, fostered a dangerous work environment; specifically, one of rampant drug and alcohol misuse, sexual misconduct and a leadership team that failed to adequately address complaints.

There was swift industry fallout, apologies and the cancellation of debut event Swillfest. Last week, after posting a video statement on Instagram, the group sent an email titled “A Better Swillhouse”. It apologised to the team and “wider community”, outlining “deep regret” and communicating the steps the group is taking to improve the state of its venues.

We think you might like Access. For $12 a month, join our membership program to stay in the know.

SIGN UP

“We started Swillhouse with integrity and passion, but we messed up along the way, and we’re deeply sorry,” the email reads. “We are determined this will not happen again.” It goes on to outline the “significant steps” taken towards a better business – including a number of new hires and an internal promotion.

Justine Baker, Solotel’s ex-CEO, joins the team as a strategic advisor. “[Baker] will have a broad remit to review our entire business operations and structure,” a Swillhouse spokesperson tells Broadsheet. “She will work with the executive team to implement any necessary changes with a view to rebuilding confidence and trust in Swillhouse.”

Baker is a longtime hospitality professional and spent over 20 years with Solotel (Aria, Chez Blue and The Abercrombie, among others) before joining the Night Time Industries Association as a board member.

Swillhouse’s first venue was Darlinghurst speakeasy Shady Pines, opened in 2010 on the belief that Sydney’s nightlife scene “could be better”. The CBD basement bar Baxter Inn followed in 2011, and then the underground (and now-closed) Frankie’s Pizza in 2013.

Alleged misconduct across those two subterranean venues includes bartenders using coded language to signal when a woman with large breasts entered the bar, notes on the wall ranking the attractiveness of customers staff had slept with, and managers showing violent porn to female bartenders. “Multiple recordings of people having sex in [Frankie’s] without their consent” were allegedly distributed within the team.

In 2019, in the wake of repeated reports of misconduct, managemenrr allegedly “reminded staff to respect their co-workers and to report incidents to their managers”. An HR specialist was employed, and specific sexual harassment policies brought in. The group told the Herald Swillhouse only hired its first female bartender in 2012, roughly two years after Shady Pines opened.

Along with Baker’s appointment, the group’s human resources manager, Hope Dawson, has been promoted to head of human resources, and is now part of the executive leadership team. “Her promotion reflects her experience and invaluable contribution to the business over a number of years,” the spokesperson says. “[And it’s] part of our commitment to build a better Swillhouse, including through a stronger, more diverse leadership team.”

Lorraine Farah is working with the team as a “culture and transformation” consultant, and Gareth O’Keefe as a workplace health and safety consultant. These hires and Dawson’s promotion “reflect our absolute commitment to learn from past mistakes and change the way we operate,” the spokesperson says.

Swill, the large-format magazine launched in 2022, will still be published. Its editor – writer, cookbook author and Australian media personality Myffy Rigby – has resigned from Swillhouse.

Safe Work NSW is currently investigating Swillhouse and the wider hospitality industry for alleged misconduct. “We are fully co-operating with the … inquiry,” the email says.

“Where we’ve lost your trust or confidence, we are committed to rebuilding it and look forward to welcoming you back to our venues,” the Swill email finishes. “Our objective is clear: to be the best we can, for our people, and our guests.”

If you’ve been the victim of sexual harassment in a hospitality workplace or witnessed an incident, read activist Jamie Bucirde’s advice on navigating the situation.

If you would like to speak with someone about an experience you have had, or would like more information, please call 1800Respect on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800respect.org.au.

You can also alert Broadsheet to misbehaviour of any kind in the hospitality industry via report@broadsheet.com.au. We cannot act on specific tips, but your valuable information may inform future coverage.