The Swiss Club of Victoria bought its first club rooms in 161 Spring Street, (opposite Parliament House) in the 1950’s.
Liquor licensing laws were very restrictive in Victoria at the time, and this led many like-minded people establishing private clubs that could serve alcohol at any time with fewer restrictions.
In the mid-sixties the Yodel club was the largest of the many subgroups at the Swiss Club. This club had a rift in its membership, with half of the club members deciding to start a rival Yodel club ‘Matterhorn’.This effectively split the Swiss community in two and for a long time Swiss thought of themselves as Matterhorn or Swiss Club members. Many attempts were made to heal the gap, which to some extent remains today.
The Swiss Club of Victoria moved from Spring Street to 34 George Parade in 1969 This lasted until 1973. This is where the present 101 Collins St now stands. The George Parade building was swapped with 89 Flinders Lane. This building was officially opened on the 16th of Feb 1973. The building was furnished to the Swiss Club fully fitted out and renovated as 2 floors of club rooms and a ground floor tenancy.
The Committee ran the Club and appointed a manager, kitchen, and bar staff.
During this period there were several instances of financial impropriety, finally resulting in the appointment of Tony Erb in 1975.
Unfortunately the Clubs finances during this period were never very stable, as wages and patronage was often above operating costs. On Tony’s retirement, (1984) the club again had a period of unstable management until Roger Mullet took over the first-floor restaurant. He already ran the Ground floor ‘Rösti Bar’, but this venture was not as successful as hoped and was subsequently closed.
During Rogers tenancy of the restaurant, the Swiss Club was successful as a club and financially stable, especially when the club was able to attract a secure ground floor tenant at commercial rates. However, the Swiss Club owns a building over 100 years old with a heritage overlay that is difficult to maintain or renovate.
The many Covid shutdowns in Victoria from March 2020 to October 2021 affected all hospitality and gatherings such as community events.
March 2020 amid Covid closures the Swiss club closed its doors to restaurant and members activities with Roger giving up his tenure of the Club Restaurant.
In 2023 after many discussions and meetings, the membership voted to carry out renovations of the first floor. This included a new Kitchen, new bathrooms and a totally new restaurant. After a renovation lasting 6 months, encountering many difficulties due to the age of the building, the works were completed towards the end of September 2024.