Melbourne Strip Club Chair Incident Leads to Job Loss and Police Inquiry

A viral incident involving a chair-throwing episode outside a Melbourne strip club has resulted in the termination of Tony Rogers, a former executive at the furniture company Vereinigte Spezialmöbelfabrike (VS). The episode, which occurred on January 30, 2023, has drawn significant public attention, with video footage garnering over 27 million views online.

Rogers, 58, and a colleague were at Bar 20 when tensions escalated. According to reports, the pair became aggressive with staff after demanding service inappropriately. Following a confrontation, security personnel were summoned to remove them from the premises. Instead of leaving quietly, they were forcibly ejected onto the sidewalk along King Street, a location known for its nightlife.

In a fit of anger, Rogers allegedly entered a neighboring restaurant, seized a chair, and hurled it back toward the bar, inadvertently striking his colleague in the head and knocking him unconscious. Both men were employed by VS, a prominent German furniture manufacturer with a long history dating back nearly 130 years.

Vereinigte Spezialmöbelfabrike issued a statement acknowledging the incident and emphasizing that it was taken “extremely seriously.” The company confirmed that an internal investigation led to Rogers’ dismissal, stating, “While the incident occurred outside of business hours and was not related to a work event, the conduct shown was unacceptable and contrary to our values and the standards we expect of our people.”

Rogers had a lengthy career in the furniture industry, previously serving as the director and general manager of Woods Furniture for more than 17 years. He transitioned to VS and held the position of sales director for two years before being appointed as director in August 2025.

Police Investigation Underway

The incident has also drawn the attention of Victoria Police, which is conducting an investigation into the events that unfolded that night. A spokesperson confirmed that their Divisional Licensing Unit is still gathering information. It is expected that Rogers will receive an infringement notice in the coming days.

Investigators are still attempting to reach his colleague, who has not yet been interviewed. The police have urged him to come forward to assist in the inquiry.

The co-owner of Bar 20, Michael Trimble, recounted the chaotic events leading to Rogers’ ejection from the establishment. He noted that staff members had experienced aggressive behavior from the pair almost immediately upon their arrival. “My bar manager was about to serve them when one of them made an inappropriate comment, which made her reconsider serving them,” Trimble explained.

When security was called, the situation escalated. Rogers reportedly grabbed a nearby bollard as a potential weapon before ultimately deciding to throw a chair. In a peculiar twist, Trimble revealed that the man who was struck had returned to the door to apologize for his friend’s behavior moments before the chair was thrown.

Trimble remarked on the unexpected virality of the incident, stating, “I have seen plenty of patrons making clowns of themselves, but I never anticipated this would go viral.”

In the wake of this incident, both VS and the bar have taken measures to address and manage the fallout, emphasizing the importance of conduct and professional behavior within their establishments.