How Julian Tobias went from selling real estate to running the hottest clubs

Billionaire pub baron Justin Hemmes was long known as Sydney’s most eligible bachelor.

But there’s a new kid in town snapping at the heels of the Merivale boss.

Meet Julian Tobias –  the handsome 43-year-old Eastern Suburbs socialite, who is rising up the ranks of Sydney’s bar tsars, threatening the likes of Hemmes and playboy publican Stu Laundy.

Tobias made his first foray into the nightlife business almost two decades ago when he launched Potts Point institution The Club.

He later established Ssh Room, a bar so exclusive it is only accessible by a password at the door.

In 2010, Tobias and his business partner Adam Abrams opened The Island, Australia’s first floating beach club in Sydney Harbour.

A year later, the pair dipped their toes into the beverage business, launching the now-popular brand C Coconut Water.

The notoriously private venue owner, who recently split from his model girlfriend Charlotte Coquelin (pictured), confirmed this week he’s still on the market

The pair were together for five years and share a cute Pomeranian pooch 

They remain on friendly terms, with Tobias praising Coquelin as she walked the runway at Sydney Fashion Week last year. (Pictured left: Tobias and Coquelin in happier times, and right: Tobias’ Instagram post about his now-ex while watching her at Sydney Fashion Week 2021) 

Coquelin is an in-demand model 

Five years later, Tobias and Adams enjoyed even more success with the launch of cleaning service company Whizz Technologies. 

The company attracted the support of rich-lister backers, including Goldman Sachs Australia boss Simon Rothery, Tony Gandel, Alex Waislitz’s Thorney Investment Group, and former KPMG executive Jon Adgemis.

Whizz Technologies is now eyeing an IPO in early 2023, which, if successful, should propel Tobias into a new financial stratosphere.

The one-time Cleo Bachelor of the Year finalist made headlines in 2014 when he began dating Canadian actress and Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev (pictured in April 2019)  

In 2016 he moved on with Instagram megastar Alexis Ren (pictured in NYC in September 2016)

More recently, Tobias once again expanded his venue empire by unveiling Potts Point speakeasy Sussudio.

The venue was opened in April during Fashion Week, and has already become the ultimate destination for Sydney’s fashionable elite.

Named after the Phil Collins hit of the same name, Sussudio boasts a ‘secret club within the club’, and has earned a reputation for being one of the hardest velvet ropes to slink past due to its strictly enforced door policy.

Tobias (pictured here with friends) continues to rise up the ranks of Sydney’s bar tsars, threatening the likes of Merivale baron Justin Hemmes and playboy publican Stu Laundy 

Tobias made his first foray into the nightlife business almost two decades ago when he launched Potts Point institution The Club 

Tobias, who recently spent $5.5million on a Bondi Beach penthouse, told Daily Mail Australia he was feeling ‘re-energised’ since launching Sussudio. 

‘I would say Sussudio has really reignited my passion for nightlife again… being able to create a space that I’m happy with and to be able to play the kind of music that I love,’ he said.

He is planning to unveil more venues in the coming months, including a Mexican cantina-style restaurant which will open on Darlinghurst Road.

After that, he will open a ‘Tel Aviv-inspired supper club’ and another restaurant-cum-brasserie concept similar to his popular eatery Bedouin in Double Bay.

In 2010, Tobias and his business partner Adam Abrams opened The Island, Australia’s first floating beach club in Sydney Harbour 

Tobias spent $5.5million on this Bondi Beach penthouse in late 2021

Meanwhile, Tobias is single and ready to mingle after recently splitting with his stunning model girlfriend Charlotte Coquelin. 

He confirmed to Daily Mail Australia he’s still on the market.

Tobias remained humble when quizzed on how he feels about being called Sydney’s most eligible bachelor.

More recently, Tobias once again expanded his venue empire by unveiling Potts Point speakeasy Sussudio (pictured

‘I’m not quite sure I live up to that,’ he said with a smile.

‘But it is a compliment. I guess, on a rainy day, I will take it.’

Tobias split from Coquelin last year following a five-year romance.

The exes remain on friendly terms, with Tobias praising Coquelin as she walked the runway at Sydney Fashion Week last year.

The venue (pictured) was opened in April during Fashion Week, and has already become the ultimate destination for Sydney’s fashionable elite 

Tobias has been linked to a string of high-profile and very beautiful women over the years.

The one-time Cleo Bachelor of the Year finalist made headlines in 2014 when he began dating Canadian actress and Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev, before moving on with Instagram megastar Alexis Ren in 2016.

Tobias, who began his career as a model himself, began dating Coquelin a year later, and the pair soon became one of the city’s most talked-about couples.

Decked out as an homage to the ’80s and ’90s, Sussudio was designed by style guru Josh Clapp