11 Rainbow Alley, Melbourne, Victoria
Cabinet Bar - After 18 successful years, the current owners are looking to sell due to relocation.
Leasehold $150,000
Business Description
Tucked away down Rainbow Alley beside Melbourne Town Hall lies the discreet entrance to Cabinet Bar. This intimate laneway venue captures the feel of a softly lit Parisian nightspot and offers the perfect setting for after-work drinks, a pre-show dinner, or a relaxed Sunday session.
Ascend the stairs to discover a mid-city oasis perched above the buzz of Swanston Street. The main room combines old-world charm with French-inspired décor plush banquette seating, baroque furnishings, and warm, ambient lighting. The inviting balcony "crow's nest" overlooks Swanston Street, giving patrons the rare chance to unwind above the city's nightlife while still soaking in its energy. At the rear of the venue are a small commercial kitchen and restrooms, ensuring seamless service.
Cabinet Bar holds an On-Premises Liquor Licence until 1am and is approved for a capacity of 90 patrons. The lease has three years remaining, with the landlord open to adding extra terms for the incoming operator. Rent is $2,900 per week gross, including outgoings (landlord insurance, council rates) and the council lease fee for use of the balcony airspace above Swanston Street.
All fixtures and fittings are included in the sale, and no supplier or equipment contracts are being transferred, offering a clean handover for the new owner.
After 18 successful years, the current owners are looking to sell due to relocation. The venue is consistently profitable, with strong trade from office workers and excellent turnover during major city events, particularly the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Full financials are available. Cabinet Bar represents an exceptional opportunity for an experienced hospitality professional seeking to acquire an established, high-performing CBD venue with a loyal clientele, prime location, and timeless appeal. The vendors are looking for offers in the regions of $150,000 for this exclusively listed charming CBD venue.
Business Summary
Other Features / Notes
A:LEASEHOLD, B:HOTEL/BAR, C:VIC - MelbourneKey Investment Insights
1. Established, consistently profitable CBD venue after 18 years of trading, with full financials available.
2. Asking price around $150,000 for a leasehold sale, exclusively listed.
3. Prime mid-city location above Swanston Street, tucked by Rainbow Alley beside Melbourne Town Hall, offering strong walk‑in and event-driven traffic.
4. Proven revenue drivers include steady office-worker trade and high turnover during major city events, notably the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
5. On‑Premises Liquor Licence to 1am, approved capacity of 90 patrons, suited to after‑work drinks, pre‑show dining and relaxed weekend sessions.
6. Characterful French‑inspired fitout with plush banquettes, baroque furnishings, warm ambient lighting and an intimate laneway entrance that creates a unique, hard-to-replicate atmosphere.
7. Balcony “crow’s nest” overlooking Swanston Street provides additional appeal and a rare elevated city-view customer experience.
8. Small commercial kitchen and restrooms on site, enabling seamless food and beverage service without major capital investment.
9. All fixtures and fittings included in the sale, no supplier or equipment contracts to transfer, facilitating a clean handover.
10. Lease with three years remaining, rent $2,900 per week gross including outgoings, landlord insurance, council rates and council lease fee for balcony airspace, landlord open to negotiating extra lease terms for the incoming operator.
