An investigation has been launched into whether a pub allowed a man to collapse 22 schooners with beer and a shot of spirits in about six hours, despite collapsing four times and eventually having to be carried by friends.
The alleged incident took place on March 6, 2021 at the currently closed Gladstone Hotel in the coastal suburb of Stockton, in the NSW city of Newcastle.
It is alleged that the man, identified only by his nickname ‘Little John’, shot down his first schooner from Toohey’s New around 11am and followed it with another 21 plus one shot of liquor until he could stand no more.
A watchdog is investigating whether Newcastle’s Gladstone Hotel (pictured) allegedly allowed a man to drink 22 schooners of beer and one shot of alcohol in the space of around six hours, despite collapsing four times.
As he drank the equivalent of 32 standard drinks, CCTV footage is said to have shown him collapsing at least four times.
On the final occasion, we see the man stumbling and holding on to the bar for support before his friends hoist him up, each picking up a limb and taking him outside before taking him to hospital.
The website of the independent NSW Liquor & Gaming Authority states that a discipline matter involving the hotel was ‘determined’ on March 20.
However, a spokesperson said this is not the reason why the hotel is closed.
“The independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) of NSW has not ordered the closure of the Gladstone Hotel, Stockton,” an ILGA spokeswoman told the Daily telegram.
The man, nicknamed Little John, was reportedly unable to stand at the end of his binge drinking session and had to be carried out of the venue by friends
Shortly after the incident, ILGA processed a separate noise complaint regarding the hotel.
The December 2021 complaint included statements from neighbors who provided a list of complaints about the hotel.
These include “drunkenness, littering, fights, property damage,” “threats and violence from customers,” and “visitors urinating on residents’ homes and cars.”
“The complainant alleges that additional seating in the beer garden has increased the frequency of live music, jam sessions, happy hours and events,” the report said.
ILGA dismissed the complaint, noting that the hotel had retained its liquor license for “approximately 66 years.”
“It is reasonable to expect that some disruption will be caused to the normal operation of the hotel,” the report said.
Last week an advertisement was placed putting the hotel up for sale and claiming the venue had a ‘full liquor license and was ‘the ultimate venue for social gatherings, events and live music.