Merivale boss Justin Hemmes opened his latest venture Pacha in Sydney on Saturday night. Picture: Shaw Damian Source: The Sunday Telegraph
PUB titan Justin Hemmes courts controversy almost as well as he courts women.
He's Mr Entertainment with an impressive collection of 33 venues under his Merivale umbrella and has created decadent bars and restaurants which serve as a backdrop for the city's young and glamorous party set.
And as he took centre stage for the opening of his latest project, Pacha, last night he was happy to set the record straight on a few things.
No, he's not gay, nor is he bisexual. He holidayed with a bunch of blokes on a luxurious yacht to celebrate his 40th because they're good mates. In fact, he's in a committed relationship with his former yoga teacher, Carla McKinnon, aged in her early-20s. Never mind the age gap, he wants to have a baby with her in the next five years.
"Have you met Carla?" he asks. "She is absolutely lovely." And on becoming a dad: "I definitely don't want to miss out on having children. I've heard this is one of the best things you can ever do."
Hemmes has dated a string of high profile women including Natalie Imbruglia and supermodel Alexandra Agoston. But that didn't stop questions about his sexuality. Recently he was the subject of gossip for spending his 40th on that yacht with buddies including Hugh Sheridan.
"I had my eight best friends with me including my girlfriend Carla, and Sibella Court," Hemmes says. "They are all very dear to me."
Hemmes has been written off many times, particularly when he built Ivy and was accused of providing Sydney with a white elephant. He did go through tough economic times but has triumphed.
"It's because I believe very strongly you have to have a good product and give good service," he explains. "One can't exist without the other."
Hemmes blanches when it is suggested that his empire far surpasses the House Of Merivale, which was set up by his fashionable parents John and Merivale.
"No, don't say that - my parents were pioneers, ahead of their time and extremely successful. You can't compare the two businesses."
Besides, John Hemmes is very much involved in his son's empire - even at 82.
Being held up at gunpoint last year, investigated for allegedly slapping a patron and having one of his venues shut down following an assault didn't stop Hemmes pursuing new ventures.
Last night he launched Pacha that he set up with the Spanish nightclub's owner, Ricardo Urgell.
This is more an open air theatre than thumping disco, with a huge screen, star DJs and burlesque artists dangling from trapezes over the dance floor inside the Ivy courtyards.
It's Cirque Du Soleil meets Saturday Night Fever and Hemmes has enlisted a creative team that includes event supremo Ignatius Jones and Craig Ilott, who co-wrote and directed last year's Sydney Festival hit, Smoke and Mirrors. He hopes to turn the weekend venue into one of the happiest places in Sydney, with a mini festival every Saturday night.
On Thursday afternoon, workmen were frantically putting the space together and Hemmes himself was up a tree, ensuring it was in place.
Even before the Pacha madness set in, Hemmes' working day usually starts at 6.30am and finishes just a few hours before then the following day. But he says he's not burnt out because he eats well and stays active.
"I don't go to the gym but I'm always riding my bicycle or wind surfing doing anything but just staying in watching TV."
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