Turnkey Landmark Bar & Restaurant Beer Garden

Business Overview:

Turnkey Landmark Bar & Restaurant + Beer Garden - Downtown Utica, IL!

“Historic 1874 Freestanding Building With Full Bar/24 Taps/Commercial Kitchen/Upstairs Event Space + Outdoor Hospitality Venue With Bar/Stage”

Rare turnkey opportunity in historic downtown Utica! Lease two complementary venues under one lease, with existing furniture, fixtures, equipment and build-outs included in the rent.

The landmark masonry bar & restaurant, extensively renovated in 2019, features exposed brick, high ceilings, dining areas and a full basement with coolers, freezers and storage. Its prominent corner location, rounded turret and vintage character create an atmosphere difficult to duplicate!

Across the street, the beer garden is a one-of-a-kind outdoor venue built from repurposed shipping containers with custom artwork, firepits and scenic Illinois & Michigan Canal views, popular for craft beers, meads, ciders and acoustic/rock performances.

Together they create a distinctive indoor/outdoor drinking, dining and entertainment destination 1.6 miles from Starved Rock State Park, Illinois’ most-visited park (~2.4 million visitors yearly).

3 Ways To Acquire:
1) Lease Fully Equipped: $6,500/mth for both properties, FF&E incl in the rent (landlord owned)
2) Buy Business Assets: $99,000; both properties, draft system, build-outs, FF&E, bar & restaurant name/goodwill (beer garden name does not convey) + new $6,500/mth lease
3) Buy Both Properties: $850,000; draft system, build-outs, FF&E, bar & restaurant trade name/goodwill (beer garden name does not convey) incl

Contact the Seller:

To request more information regarding this listing, simply check the ADD TO REQUEST INFO BASKET button (above Quick Facts) and when you are done searching and have made all your selections, simply click on the REQUEST FREE INFO button at the bottom of this page.

Property Features and Assets:

High-visibility corner properties sit in Utica’s vibrant Mill Street dining & entertainment district, surrounded by popular restaurants, breweries, wineries, shops & historic attractions including August Hill Winery’s tasting room.

Nearby draws include the I&M Canal State Trail, Starved Rock Lodge, Matthiessen State Park and Grand Bear Resort’s indoor waterpark.

Mill Street becomes pedestrian-friendly outdoor dining in warmer months, and October’s Burgoo Festival draws extra crowds. Near IL-178 and I-80, w/street & public parking.

Downtown retail vacancy was recently reported at 0%, highlighting the scarcity of available commercial space!

SqFt: 4,748 (~4,448 Building w/Basement + 300 Bar Structure w/4,004 Decking)
Seating: 116 In + 204 Out; (16 Bar+45 Dining+55 Event Space+58 Out+146 Beer Garden)
Hrs: Mo/We/Th 11a-8p (Fr-Sa Until 10p) (Beer Garden Seasonal)
Lease: $6,500/mth modified gross; terms negotiable. Tenant Pays Tax/Insurance Increases Above Base Yr
Property: Landlord Owned; Two Parcels Zoned C-1

Market Competition and Expansion:

Utica is the gateway to the Starved Rock region, attracting outdoor enthusiasts, weekend travelers, day-trippers and locals seeking memorable dining and entertainment experiences.

Few available properties combine a historic, fully equipped restaurant and bar with a separate established outdoor beer garden in the same walkable district, offering year-round indoor hospitality plus seasonal outdoor dining, entertainment and special events.

Bring your own vision: a new restaurant, gastropub, brewery-inspired concept or dining and entertainment destination. The flexible layouts and existing infrastructure accommodate numerous concepts.

Expand operating days and hours beyond the current schedule, add brunch, catering, private parties and group events, or create coordinated food-and-beverage offerings across both venues with shared branding. Capitalize on the beer garden’s outdoor setting with themed events, seasonal celebrations and tourism-driven gatherings.

Build additional business through online ordering, digital marketing, partnerships with area lodging properties and attractions, and cross-promotion between the indoor restaurant and outdoor beer garden.

Reason for Selling:

Has other business interests and cannot devote the time/attention it deserves. Kindly ask the seller for more information.

Additional Details:

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