Inner west beer mecca The Flodge is in new hands, as veteran Matthew Sen steps back from his prized, awarded Forest Lodge Hotel.
Built 1866, when its home of Arundel Street was the part of the main thoroughfare into Sydney town, before it shifted to Parramatta Road, the Forest Lodge was the final stop for travellers before climbing the last big hill into the colony.
It benefits from strong visibility, pedestrian traffic and ease of access in the crowded precinct, proximate to Sydney University, Broadway and surrounding inner-city residential and employment catchments, around three kilometres west of the Sydney CBD.
The Flodge has earned a reputation as a specialist craft beer venue, featuring 20 rotating taps, winning Best Tap List at the 2024 Beer & Brewer Awards.
Occupying the ground floor of a multi-level structure, trading includes the public bar, a well-equipped commercial kitchen, bistro and dining spaces, gaming lounge with four machines and outdoor parklet seating that enhances its street presence.
Sen has long been the face of The Flodge and after years as a hands-on owner-operator is looking to step back from the bar and let fresh eyes take the reins, listing the leasehold interest in March.
In June the keys were handed to ASA Hotels P/L, led by two experienced hospitality operators who own motels in northern NSW and hotels in South Australia and “look forward” to entering the Sydney market. The sale was for an undisclosed premium atop annual rent of $275k.
Sen has previously leased the rooms on the first floor to an accommodation operator and has another five GMEs leased elsewhere. Having now divested the pub operation he is planning to enjoy some time as a passive landlord.
The sale campaign through Manenti Quinlan reportedly attracted private operators and established hotel groups, resulting in multiple competing offers to buy.
“The Forest Lodge Hotel wasn’t just another hotel business,” says MQ’s Leonard Bongiovanni.
“It has a strong brand identity, an established customer base and a reputation that extends well beyond its immediate catchment.
“Opportunities of this nature in tightly held precincts such as Forest Lodge and Glebe are rarely offered, particularly where the venue has a genuine point of difference, proven trading history and an established local following.”
