Owner banned from his own clubs

Manthos Papadopoulos, owner of Sydney Elements and Showgirls in Kings Cross, has failed to overturn a ban preventing him from entering high-risk venues in the precinct.

The ban and its scope

The Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority imposed the twelve-month ban in July after a request from New South Wales police. Both venues Papadopoulos owns are classified as high-risk.

Charges against Papadopoulos

On fifteen March, Papadopoulos was arrested and charged with seven offences including intentionally choking a person without consent after an incident at Sydney Elements.

Additional assault allegations

Later in March, Papadopoulos faced further charges including using his penis to slap an intoxicated staff member in the face, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm against a man he described as an intruder.

His defence and claims

During police interview, Papadopoulos did not admit to offences but claimed CCTV footage was AI-generated and a conspiracy. He pleaded not guilty and said he had invested more than seventeen million dollars in Sydney Elements.

“AI-generated and a conspiracy”

Tribunal rejects his appeal

Dr Thalia Gordon found sufficient risk that Papadopoulos could engage in trouble-making behaviour and cause problems for venue licensees. She rejected his claims about financial hardship to his family.

“there is a sufficient risk that he could engage in trouble-making behaviour”

Ban remains in place until July

Papadopoulos remains banned from Kings Cross and Sydney CBD entertainment precincts until next July. His criminal proceedings are listed for a hearing in March next year.