The Maybe Group has ended its partnership with Public Hospitality, taking back its world-renowned bar Maybe Sammy.

Public acquired the Maybe Group in April 2023, which includes Maybe Sammy, El Primo Sanchez (which it opened in collaboration with Public), Maybe Frank and Sammy Junior.

However, Maybe Group co-founders Vince Lombardo and Stefano Catino have taken back their venues.

“Stef and I believe we can best serve our venues by bringing them back under The Maybe Group’s wing, and Jon [Adgemis, Public Founder] has supported us in this decision,” said Lombardo.

El Primo Sanchez will transition from Public to the Maybe Group through a license agreement, with all three venues operating under the management of the Maybe Group as per usual.

“Although Maybe Sammy and Maybe Frank have been under the Public umbrella for the last year or so, we have continued to operate them as our own so there will be no change to the guest experience in those venues or El Primo Sanchez as a result of this transition,” said Catino.

The partnership was announced with huge fanfare last year, prior to Public Hospitality facing hundreds of millions in debt due to high interest rates as financing costs for the group rose.

“Public has grown at an incredible pace over the past 12 months and we are continuing this trajectory as we acquire The Maybe Group,” said executive chairman Jon Adgemis (above, right) when the Maybe Sammy deal was announced.

At its peak, Public comprised of about 20 venues in Sydney and Melbourne. They include The Maybe Group (Maybe Sammy, Maybe Frank, Sammy Junior), Derrel’s at The Lady Hampshire in Camperdown, Busby’s at Oxford House in Paddington, Puttanesca at The Clifton Hotel in Kew in partnership with The Grossi Group and El Primo Sanchez in Paddington.

Public also lost Sydney CBD Greek restaurant Alpha last month, six months after taking over and three months after announcing former Masterchef judge George Calombaris was joining as a creative partner.  

Public Hospitality Group secures refinancing deal