The iconic pub renowned for its live music scene has been listed for sale just four months after reopening
The Lansdowne Hotel will be sold to capture a $25 million bid for the iconic live music venue
One of Sydney’s most iconic and beloved pubs has been listed for sale after temporarily closing twice in the past decade.
In Chippendale, Sydney’s Lansdowne Hotel has been a major live music venue and a feature of the local rock ‘n’ roll scene since it opened in the 1930s.
The pub provided an important stepping stone for up-and-coming musicians to grow a fanbase in an established venue.
However, the property owners are carrying the torch with the venue listed for sale by HTL Properties and the pub is expected to fetch more than $25 million.
The sale adds to the troubled past of the venue which has changed hands several times and closed twice – with the pub reopening in March this year.
One of Sydney’s most iconic music venues, the Lansdowne Hotel (pictured), is being listed for sale with bids expected to exceed $25 million for the four-level property.
After operating continuously since the 30s, the pub first closed in 2015 after succumbing to lockout laws, which barred patrons from entering the premises after 1:30am.
It would lie dormant for two years before being reopened by Jake Smith and Kenny Graham, the duo behind Newtown’s popular Mary’s Burgers and Paddington’s The Unicorn.
Smith and Graham operate under the banner Mary’s Group — who developed the multi-level pub that now boasts a restaurant, live music venue and rooftop bar.
The pub was reopened by numerous musicians from famous Australian bands including The Rubens, Preatures, Delta Riggs and Sticky Fingers, all of whom performed together as a ‘superband’ on the opening night.
‘It’s a really important Sydney venue,’ Mr Rule told Broadsheet at the time.
‘It’s been relaunched by two Sydney guys who have done a great job reviving live music and the local music industry is really excited about it.’
Mary Group called last drink in February 2022 after the property’s owners refused to renew their lease.
The pub will be refurbished and reopen in March this year after the lease was bought by the owners of Oxford Art Factory, one of Sydney’s other premier music venues.
While the venue has long been an important pub for new artists to play to larger crowds, it also has a larger ‘scale’ of development if its business plan changes.
The property lists a number of ‘investment highlights’, including its proximity to town and a liquor license that allows the sale of alcohol until 5am.
Although the venue remains a cornerstone of Sydney’s music scene, HTL director Sam Handy says the pub will find more success if it changes its operating strategy.
‘While institutionally popular as a live entertainment venue, The Lansdowne Hotel’s unmistakable scale lends itself favorably to further and regular activations on multiple levels,’ he told PubTic.
‘Given its location, trading footprint and patronage capacity, the business presents a compelling opportunity to activate a food and beverage proposition that resonates better with the surrounding population.