Former pub baron Jon Adgemis set aside his bankruptcy woes for a day of celebrations on Saturday, drawing attention in Sydney’s social scene when he arrived with a glamorous blonde companion.
The former hospitality high-flyer, whose business collapse left debts of about $1.8 billion, was among the guests at eastern suburbs socialite Amira Ross’ birthday celebration at Bondi Icebergs.
Dressed casually in a black singlet, cargo pants and sunglasses, Adgemis arrived at the busy venue alongside a young woman carrying a bouquet of flowers.
A source close to the struggling Adgemis business empire declined to comment on the nature of their relationship, although the woman is understood to be named Olivia.
The source did not deny that Adgemis and Olivia may be a couple.
At one point, Adgemis paused to tie his shoelaces while his companion waited nearby. She attracted attention in a wine-red corset top and denim shorts.
Former pub baron Jon Adgemis put his bankruptcy troubles aside for a day of celebrations on Saturday, drawing attention when he arrived with a glamorous blonde companion
The former hospitality high-flyer, whose dramatic business collapse left debts of about $1.8 billion, was seen among guests at eastern suburbs socialite Amira Ross’ birthday party at Bondi Icebergs on Saturday
Relaxed in a black singlet, cargo pants and sunglasses, Adgemis arrived at the bustling venue with a young woman carrying a bouquet of flowers
Adgemis’ last publicly documented relationship was with American model and actress Megan MacKenzie.
The pair met in 2017 and later became engaged before separating in October 2024.
Meanwhile, birthday girl Ross arrived at Bondi Icebergs with her friend Nat Lockhart.
The brunette, who previously made headlines following the tragic death of her former partner Rocket Stickney, looked stylish in a cut-out black singlet and matching miniskirt.
She added height with Gucci wedges and completed her outfit with chic sunglasses, layered necklaces and earrings.
Adgemis’ appearance at the Sydney soirée came a year after he was declared bankrupt, marking another moment in the dramatic decline of the once-prominent hospitality mogul.
Through his Public Hospitality Group, Adgemis built a wide-ranging portfolio of pubs and hotels. The empire later collapsed under mounting debt, with creditors facing claims estimated at about $1.8 billion.
The collapse has been described as one of Australia’s most significant hospitality failures, with receivers selling venues and other assets in an effort to recover money owed.
The young woman drew attention in a wine-red corset top and denim shorts
A source close to the struggling Adgemis business empire declined to discuss the relationship, although the woman is understood to be named Olivia
Adgemis’ last publicly documented relationship was with model and actress Megan MacKenzie
At his peak, Adgemis controlled 22 pubs and hotels and was gunning to rival Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes.
But the past 12 months have seen Adgemis’ defunct empire steadily dismantled, as receivers and liquidators work to unravel the complex business collapse.
In October last year, a last-ditch attempt by Adgemis to buy back five hotels unravelled after he missed a $6.7million payment deadline. The venues had been placed into receivership the previous month.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Feds Arrest Nantucket Man in Early-Morning Felony Operation
The sell-off continued into 2026, with four of his old venues, the South Bondi Hotel, Hotel Diplomat, Empire Hotel and Claridge House, initially selling for a combined $130million in January.
Birthday girl Amira Ross is seen on the left
Adgemis stopped to tie his shoelaces, while his female friend patiently waited nearby
Ross (right) was spotted arriving at Icebergs with her gal pal Nat Lockhart (left)
She added height to her slim frame with a pair of Gucci wedges, and accessorised with chic sunglasses, layered necklaces and earrings
She wore her long mane out in natural waves and enhanced her outfit with a fresh makeup look
Adgemis’ appearance at the soirée comes a year after he was declared bankrupt, capping a dramatic fall from grace for the once-dominant hospitality mogul
The businessman saw his empire collapse under the weight of mounting debts, leaving creditors facing claims totalling approximately $1.8billion
His downfall has been one of Australia’s most spectacular hospitality collapses, with receivers moving to sell off venues and other assets to recover money owed
At his peak, Adgemis controlled 22 pubs and hotels and was gunning to rival Justin Hemmes
Two of those properties, the South Bondi Hotel and the Empire Hotel, were subsequently sold again in a deal worth about $80million after an earlier proposed transaction fell through.
Meanwhile, the saga has prompted continued scrutiny of Adgemis’ former companies.
In August, the Federal Court heard evidence during examinations into the failure of Public Hospitality and its links to Linchpin Hospitality, a company that managed several pubs previously associated with Adgemis.
The court was shown an email from January 2025 in which Adgemis asked a former Linchpin director to appoint Monaco-based investor Marco Bettelli as the company’s sole director, raising further questions about the relationship between the businesses.
The past 12 months have seen Adgemis’ former hospitality empire steadily dismantled, as receivers and liquidators work to unravel the complex business collapse
In October last year, a last-ditch attempt by Adgemis to buy back five hotels unravelled after he missed a $6.7million payment deadline
The sell-off continued into 2026, with four of his former venues – the South Bondi Hotel, Hotel Diplomat, Empire Hotel and Claridge House – initially selling for a combined $130million
Two of those properties, the South Bondi Hotel and the Empire Hotel, were subsequently sold again in a deal worth about $80million after an earlier proposed transaction fell through
The saga has prompted continued scrutiny of Adgemis’ former companies
There has also been scrutiny of alleged improper GST refund claims involving companies connected to his former business empire.
Alexandra Andruska, formerly the chief financial officer of Public Hospitality Group, made jaw-dropping allegations about Adgemis’ involvement in the claims during Federal Court proceedings.
Adgemis has denied personal wrongdoing.
The bankruptcy order was made by the Federal Court on October 3, 2025, following action involving the Australian Taxation Office.