The operators of Love Machine nightclub in Prahran have been slapped with a $20,000 fine and warned they could face much harsher sanctions if they breach the venue’s licensing conditions again.
The popular nightclub and its management were put on notice in a decision by the Victorian Liquor Commission after it expressed “great concern” about the licensee’s conduct.
Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper speaks to media at the scene of the Love Machine shooting in 2019. Credit: Chris Hopkins
The sole director of holding company Sterling Nightclubs Pty Ltd, Dhir Kakar, admitted a live music event was hosted at Love Machine in June 2020, despite a state government-imposed lockdown due to COVID-19.
Kakar also admitted that an unconscious man, who had vomited, was discovered by police in the club’s staff room in August 2019, while police were regularly required to attend incidents outside the venue between November 2018 and December 2021.
Kakar, who did not respond to a request for comment from The Age, had told a Victorian Liquor Commission hearing in December that the venue had restructured its management team and changed the security company it previously had in place.
The club was also supported by evidence from Inspector Andrew Stamper, who said the new management team had worked collaboratively with local police, and adopted a range of measures to protect amenity in the area. Their management of the waiting patrons line “was better than any other venue in the area”, he said.
Aaron Khalid Osmani (left) and Richard Arow were gunned down outside the Love Machine nightclub in 2019.
As part of the sanctions imposed by the Victorian Liquor Commission, Love Machine also agreed to biannual audits by an independent risk management consultant, regular reviews by the Stonnington liquor licensing inspector, and the implementation of a gender-based violence management plan.
The finding said while they were confident the licensee has reformed, they could face a licence cancellation if they breached the rules again.