Public Hospitality Group (PHG) has confirmed it has acquired The Maybe Group, adding one of the Top-50 bars in the world to its rapidly growing collection.
Sydney-based PHG is led by Sydney businessman Jon Adgemis, who is executive chairman. They began what would be a rapid expansion in 2021 with purchase of The Strand from Oscars, which was reopened a year later, in May 2022, revealing a four-level dining and hotel precinct, amid plans for more on-trend-city fringe venues with accommodation.
This continued with acquisition of the Lady Hampshire, in early 2022, similarly relaunched a year later.
The group holds plans for restorations at its Kurrajong Hotel in Erskineville, formerly the Swanson Hotel, and The Town Hall in Balmain, and last month unveiled its new-look Camelia Hotel.
There are further future offerings in the works, including PHG’s reinterpretation of the former Noah’s, in Bondi, purchased last June.
In February this year PHG opened Oxford House in Paddington, which was one of two in the precinct that month, alongside El Primo Sanchez – a collaboration with the acclaimed The Maybe Group (TMG), creators of Australasia’s Best Bar, Maybe Sammy.
El Primo Sanchez, taking over the ground floor of The Rose Hotel, is a Mexican-inspired environment said to be “more of a laidback pub” than a high-end cocktail bar, serving a food and cocktail menu centred around traditional Mexican share dishes and tacos, agave spirits and Mexican ingredients.
TMG is the creation of Martin Hudak, Vince Lombardo and Stefano Catino, who masterminded the highly decorated Maybe Sammy, as well as Sammy Junior and Maybe Frank.
PHG has grown to count 20 properties but suggests this is set to be their big year, and acquisition of TMG is “continuing this trajectory” of growth.
“These venues are all driven by the desire to create newly familiar and warm places that bring renewed energy to the neighbourhood,” says PHG.
