Two established hospitality venues in Waterford city centre have been brought to market with a combined asking price of €2.4 million, signalling continued investor interest in Ireland’s regional hospitality sector despite ongoing economic pressures. Sherry FitzGerald John Rohan is handling the sale of Kazbar and Davy Mac’s, both occupying prime locations in the southeast city’s commercial core.
The joint offering represents a significant opportunity for investors seeking established operations in one of Ireland’s major regional cities. Waterford, as the country’s oldest city and a key tourism destination in the southeast, continues to demonstrate resilience in its hospitality sector, with city centre venues benefiting from steady footfall from both residents and visitors. The €2.4 million guide price reflects the premium attached to turnkey hospitality operations with proven track records in central urban locations.
Both venues have established reputations within Waterford’s hospitality landscape, offering distinct customer experiences that cater to different market segments. The strategic positioning of these establishments in the city centre provides natural advantages, including proximity to shopping districts, cultural attractions, and the Viking Triangle heritage quarter. This location factor has become increasingly valuable as urban centres nationwide experience revitalization following pandemic-related disruptions.
The sale comes at a time when Ireland’s hospitality sector faces a complex operating environment characterized by elevated costs, staffing challenges, and changing consumer behaviours. Recent data from industry bodies indicates that regional hospitality businesses have demonstrated stronger recovery patterns compared to some Dublin establishments, partly due to lower overhead costs and robust domestic tourism. Waterford has particularly benefited from staycation trends and the growth of cultural tourism centered around the Medieval Museum and House of Waterford Crystal.
Commercial property advisors note that hospitality assets with established customer bases and prime locations command significant premiums in the current market. The sale structure, offering both venues together, may appeal to investors seeking portfolio expansion or groups looking to establish a presence in the southeast region. Such bundled sales have become increasingly common as vendors seek to maximize value and buyers look for operational efficiencies through multi-site ownership.
Waterford city has seen steady investment in its hospitality infrastructure over recent years, supported by local authority initiatives and Enterprise Ireland programmes aimed at strengthening regional economies. The city’s hospitality sector employs hundreds of people directly and supports numerous supply chain businesses throughout the southeast. Industry observers suggest that well-positioned urban hospitality venues remain attractive investment propositions despite sector-wide challenges, particularly those with diversified revenue streams and adaptable spaces.
The €2.4 million price tag places these assets within reach of both domestic hospitality operators and international investors increasingly focused on Irish regional cities. Transaction volumes in the commercial property sector have remained relatively stable despite broader economic uncertainties, with hospitality assets attracting particular interest from private investors and boutique operators seeking alternatives to chain establishments. Financial institutions have also shown renewed appetite for lending against established hospitality businesses with strong trading histories.
For Waterford specifically, the sale represents continued commercial activity in the city centre, which local business groups have identified as crucial for maintaining vibrancy and economic momentum. The outcome of this sale will likely serve as a barometer for market confidence in southeast Ireland’s hospitality sector and may influence subsequent commercial property valuations in the region. Interested parties are expected to include existing hospitality operators, investment funds, and entrepreneurial buyers looking to capitalize on Waterford’s ongoing urban renewal and tourism development initiatives.
