Is Geelong the regional capital of hospitality and good times? Drinking in The Pivot, as it’s affectionately known, has come a long way in the last 10 years, and it’s safe to say that Gorge Camorra’s sharp cocktail bars and people-first service has had a lot to do with why. Here, he shares some hard-won insight from 20 years in the biz, and a refreshingly optimistic vision for the future of hospitality on the Bellarine.
How did you get your start?
Believe it or not, I opened up my first hospitality venue 20 years ago after doing a four-hour course where I learned how to make a Toblerone cocktail, pour a glass of wine, and pour a beer. I had zero experience but wanted to give it a go, and so I opened up a nightclub in Geelong called Statik.
What do you think it is about your venues that has gained traction?
Our staff: they’re amazing. Also, our theatrical cocktails and in-depth knowledge of drinks. Our venue is an experience from the moment you walk upstairs to when you leave and our guests seem to love it.
Is there any other special sauce to what you do?
Yes, practice, practice, practice. It took 11 years of owning venues before I was qualified and experienced enough to open the 18th Amendment . It has been an incredible journey and I am so proud of what we have accomplished.
Any regrets?
Absolutely not, I love it
What about the big lessons learned?
I’ve learned that there will always be highs and lows in hospitality: there will be fun times and there will be tough times. I guess the biggest lesson is the importance of giving our guests a unique experience and keeping them happy so that they want to come back and visit over and over.
What’s been the key to scaling up successfully for you?
Having dedicated passionate staff that share my vision. I honestly couldn’t do it without them.
You hear some operators and punters concerned that groups are starting to dominate hospitality in Australia. What’s your take on that?
As an owner of a small hospitality group that runs five venues, I don’t think it’s a big problem. It’s not really something that I focus on much – I’m more concerned about what’s happening in my small group and in my venues. As long as these bigger groups can give great service and hospitality to their guests and do everything right, I have no problem with it.
Times are tough right now. How are you adapting?
It’s probably the toughest time I’ve had in 20 years of owning venues. We’re adapting by being a little bit more savvy creating and making our own ingredients and trying to give the guests an amazing experience so that they want to stay longer and spend more money with us.
Any advice for other operators who are hurting?
I guess it’s important to remain positive. I know that’s hard sometimes; I struggle mentally with how quiet things are at the moment, too, but I do believe that the change is coming and that things will get back to normal. Hang in there and continue to work hard.
Who do you look to in Victoria for inspiration? Which venues and people set the bar for you?
I’ve always taken great inspiration from Black Pearl in Fitzroy and Eau de Vie in the Melbourne CBD. I love everything they do and love going there when I’m in town.
Best-case scenario, how do you want people to think about what you do?
I guess it’s really just having people understand that what we do is for the guests and that making people happier than they were when they arrived is where we get our pleasure from. We love what we do. We’re super-passionate about the industry we’re in and we just want to keep training people to continue to raise the level of service in Geelong.
Stay up to date with Gorge Camorra’s venues at @the_18th_amendment_bar, @non_disclosure_bar, and @manhattan_bar_geelong