Sydney’s Shady Pine Saloon, owned by embattled hospitality group Swillhouse, will officially close on Wednesday, April 23, after resolving disputes with its landlords.
After serving up bevvies for the last 17 years, Swillhouse‘s Shady Pines Saloon will be calling last drinks in April as its Darlinghurst base will be redeveloped under the Victor Smorgon Group, Kanat Group and Trenerry Property Group’s Australian Soho House project.
On Sunday, Shady shared the news on Instagram, thanking its staff, community and the performers who’ve graced its bar.
“Shady Pines Saloon will close its doors on Wednesday, April 23, as the building undergoes redevelopment,” it wrote.
“We opened at the start of Clover Moore’s small bar revolution, seizing the moment to create something different – grassroots, cool, from the heart, and maybe the best little bar in the country.
“It was simple: country music, no natural light, plenty of rye whiskey, finely made cocktails, and, of course, whiskey apples.
“A place like this doesn’t happen without the people who make it special.
“To our staff, our community, our regulars, and the performers who filled the room with music and memories, thank you. The connections made here will always mean the world to us.
“The closure marks the end of an era, but what a ride it’s been. Let’s make these final weeks count — raise a glass with us.”
Per Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Food, the blow to the Swillhouse’s group does not come as a surprise as the hospitality group and Trenerry Property Group (which acts on behalf of the landlord) have been involved in a series of disputes in the lead up to Shady’s closure.
In October of last year, the Daily Telegraph reported that Shady took its Trenerry Property to NSW Supreme Court in hopes of putting a stop to the eviction. At the time, when the legalities kicked off, Trenerry Property accused the bar of breaching ” its obligations to prohibit immoral, offensive or illegal acts on the premises”, which Shady disputed.
Shady’s legal battle with its landlord came shortly after the hospitality group faced allegations of sexual misconduct and drug use, which stemmed from a bombshell SMH report.
In the damning report, five former female staff members from across the Swillhouse group — including Shady Pines Saloon — claimed they were sexually assaulted, harassed by other employees of the hospitality group, encouraged to have sex with customers and take drugs on shift.
Following the SMH investigation and an official video apology, which was shared on the hospitality group’s social media, Swillhouse co-founder Anton Forte stepped down as CEO.
In February of this year, it was reported that four former employees of Swillhouse are seeking damages from the hospo group.
Per SMH’s Good Food, Shady Pines is expected to be included in the Soho House development project.
The Soho House is an international private members’ club that includes folks from media, arts and fashion industries. There’s more than 40 “Soho Houses” across the world.
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