Five Australian nightclubs for sale right now
Even if you don’t enjoy hitting the dancefloor, a nightclub could be an attractive investment.
Buying into competitive city marketplaces like Sydney and Melbourne may be prohibitive, but your money will likely stretch much further in regional areas and smaller capital cities – where buildings as diverse as former synagogues and industrial warehouses have been transformed into impressive nightclub operations.
Here are some examples, all on the market now.
Adelaide, South Australia
The heritage-listed building at 5-9 Synagogue Place is on the market for $2.9 million. It is currently operating as a nightclub which is not being sold and has a lease over the building until August 2026.
As the street name suggests, a synagogue was built on this site in 1850, in a small Egyptian-style sandstone design.
Another stone building was subsequently added to the site and in 1938 both were remodelled in a cement art deco style.
The current fit-out includes a striking disco-ball and mezzanine level and the club is licensed for 560 patrons.
Moe, Victoria
Situated right in the heart of the Latrobe Valley town of Moe, the Moore Street Tavern has been operating for 40 years and includes a large restaurant, sports bar, nightclub, and a drive-through bottleshop currently not in operation.
There’s no need to worry about local competition with this listing being the only late-night venue in Moe, which is 130 kilometres from Melbourne.
The business and freehold title of 1a Moore Street is for sale for $1.25 million.
All of the business’ equipment is included in the sale, meaning it would be ready for a new owner to walk in and keep trading.
Port Pirie, South Australia
Port Pirie’s Portside Tavern boasts a licence until 2am and has been delivering strong returns, with a reported yield of approximately 18.5 per cent.
The hotel features a recently upgraded bistro, large lounge room and bar, gaming room with 32 gaming machines, a newly opened craft beer and gin bar and a first-floor nightclub.
Home to South Australia’s second largest port, the town is tipped to experience population growth off the back of redeveloping its Oval Precinct, transformation of the Nyrstar Smelter and solar farm development.
The club’s title is for sale for $3.8 million including a manager’s residence.
Mackay, Queensland
With a large 1133 square metres of floor space on Mackay’s main street, the heritage-listed century-old Lamberts Building is ripe with potential.
It was previously home to three nightclubs – Zebar, Gordi’s and Envy – that haven’t been operating since 2013.
While the building still has a nightclub fit-out and would be appropriate for a restaurant or bar, the liquor licence has expired.
According to the agents the building could also work as a development site or commercial building following structural renovations.
The two-storey venue at 89 Victoria Street Mackay is for sale through expressions of interest.
Ballarat, Victoria
This striking bluestone nightclub in Ballarat has been operating since 2010 but the building’s history dates back to 1869 when it first opened as Pratt’s Warehouse.
The industrial building, which is considered “historically significant”, has recently been relisted with a $3.5 million asking price and has a long-term lease in place.
Across its three levels of bars and dance floors and as well as a beer garden and private function room, the venue is licenced for 660 people.
According to the agents it’s trading at an 8.5 per cent return and is one of the most popular clubs in Ballarat, which is home to two university campuses.
