Elwood Bathers to replace iconic Sails on the Bay following leasehold sale

The waterfront restaurant is considered one of Melbourne’s finest eateries.

It is the end of an era in Melbourne’s bayside suburb of Elwood, with restaurateurs Monica and Derek Fuller selling the leasehold of the Sails on the Bay venue after 24 years.

The deal was negotiated by CBRE Hotel’s Will Connolly following an expressions of interest campaign “which generated plenty of interest”.

A variety of prospective suitors, large and small, investigated the waterfront site at 15 Elwood Foreshore (pictured top and left) which Mr Connolly said is “clearly one of the best locations in Melbourne”.

The venue will soon be branded Elwood Bathers and replaced with “an exciting new concept”.

A search on the Liquor Licences and Applications website shows the PWI Hospitality Group is seeking a transfer from the Fullers.

The incoming operators have also started advertising jobs for the new venue, which is expected to open in coming months.

Sails on the Bay is considered one of the city’s finest seafood-focussed eateries with a four-star rating on website Zomato. Two websites ranking wedding venues – Hitched and EasyWeddings – award it five stars.

The UK-born Fullers, who met while working at the high-end Athenaeum Hotel in London’s Mayfair, moved to Australia in the early 1990s, shortly before founding the local restaurant. Derek is reported to be the youngest person appointed head chef at a five-star restaurant in London.

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Marc Pallisco

A freelance property writer and experienced analyst, Marc is the co-founder of realestatesource.com.au