Thousands of Melbourne residents have supported hospitality venues banning Dan Andrews as the blacklist against the divisive former Victorian premier continues to grow.
The row came after former AFL star Paul Dimattina, who runs popular venue Lamaro’s Hotel in Melbourne’s south, said the former premier was “easily the most hated person” in Victoria.
Dimattina, a Melbourne hospitality heavyweight, was the latest of several restaurant owners to refuse to serve Mr Andrews and his wife Cath.
“There is no hope of Andrews getting a seat in my pub,” Dimattina told Daily Mail Australia.
‘If he came in and sat down, the Lamaro crowd would be upset if they saw him. Andrews is hated for all his anti-business stance.
‘The trail of destruction Andrews left is still felt today, small businesses closed, endless closures, critical healthcare neglected, children out of school… he helped no one.
Mr Andrews’ latest ban is a negative sign for his hopes of dining out in Melbourne, given that the Dimattina family owns, and has owned, several restaurants in the city, including along the famous Lygon Street district .
Meanwhile, restaurateur Chris Lucas revealed he told Andrews’ wife Cath “not available” after she called to book a table at his Windsor restaurant Hawker Hall, located in the once-bustling Melbourne district. Chapel St during Covid lockdown.
Lucas also revealed that Di Stasio, a famous Melbourne restaurant group that is not part of his hotel group, also denied Andrews a reservation for his birthday around the same period.
Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews (above with wife Cath) is blacklisted from Melbourne venues, and now a key member of a famous hotel family has moved against him.
Paul Dimattina in his days as a Western Bulldogs player
And it’s not just hospitality venues that blacklist Andrews.
The prestigious National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula banned Andrews from joining and there were also rumors that the exclusive Portsea Golf Club brought down the former prime minister.
Melbourne golfers were outraged by the Victorian government’s ban on the sport during lockdown, even though it takes place outdoors with large distances between players and provides a rare outlet for exercise.
Many Australians expressed their support for Dimattina and the other venue owners who publicly banned the former prime minister.
“I hope a lot of companies ban it,” one person said.
Another added that “they had dinner at Lamaro’s last night not knowing it was an Andrews-free zone.”
“I would have enjoyed it even more if I had,” they said.
‘Excellent, well done. “Andrews does not deserve the privilege he denied to so many for so long,” a third added.
“He sent businesses to the wall, so why would they allow him to participate in their hospitality?”
Melbourne hospitality heavyweight Paul Dimattina at his Lamaro’s Hotel pub
Andrews has been banned from trendy south Melbourne gastropub, above
Another claimed he lost his business and home because of Andrews.
“I’m so glad the places don’t work for you,” they said.
‘He deserves everything he gets. The way he did things is inexcusable and we are still facing the consequences of his actions.
‘Those who defend him here obviously did not lose their business and their home like we did.
‘We did everything we could to keep going, but it was impossible to run the business with the constant lockdowns.
‘No other place in the world closed like Victoria did. It just disappears, Dan.
A fifth simply stated: “Karma knocks at the door.”
Andrews’ latest ban is a negative sign for his hopes of dining out in Melbourne, given that Dimattina’s family owns and has owned several restaurants in the city, including along the famous Lygon Street district (pictured by stock above).
Dimattina, who followed his 131-game AFL career by taking over the restaurant and produce empire founded by his father Frank, said Andrews “absolutely crippled” the hospitality industry.
He became a leading voice opposing Victoria’s response to Covid when Andrews imposed the longest lockdown periods in the world.
His attitude towards the government’s response to Covid soured further when he spent time in intensive care following a negative reaction to a booster shot.
“Business was decimated, the CBD is a ghost town, once the thriving restaurants close, it’s the same on all the main streets, Chapel St, Lygon St, there are empty businesses everywhere,” he said.
“What Andrews did was make running a small business not an easy thing… he’d be better off leaving the state, I’m sure there are some people who still love him, lefties and all, but he’s not welcome anywhere.” side and us”. We’ll all be better off not seeing him here. Andrews was Victorian premier for almost nine years before resigning at the end of 2023 and taking a new role at Orygen, a mental health organisation.