Morgan’s Sorrento on the market

Melbourne publican Julian Gerner is bowing out of the hospitality industry with the leasehold sale of Morgan’s Sorrento Restaurant and Bar.

The restaurant sits between two historic buildings, Koonya Hotel and Morgan’s, and has 40m of frontage to the Sorrento waterfront. 

CBRE’s Scott Callow and Mathew George are managing the sale via an Expressions of Interest campaign closing 21 April 2023. The leasehold is expected to generate interest from established hospitality professionals from both Melbourne and interstate.

“Sorrento is a tourism destination that continues to skyrocket, as do median house prices and population growth,” Mr Callow said. 

“Morgan’s has historically been a strong trading business and the opportunity exists for a new owner to reposition the business to include breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and functions including weddings. The restaurant retains its General Hotel Licence which is a key to the future of this beachfront hospitality operation.”  

Julian Gerner purchased Morgan’s Sorrento in 2013, prior to this, he owned and operated a number of hospitality venues across Melbourne as director of Public House Group and Melbourne Pub Group. 

$3million has been invested into Morgan’s Sorrento, including a major refurbishment in 2018 that included upgrading of all services and equipment. 

“As someone who has seen it all, the good, the bad, and some of the ugly, it is time to try something fresh. I love Sorrento, I love Morgan’s and I love the hospitality industry, but the time has come for me to close this chapter in my life, and I am looking forward to whatever life brings next,” Mr Gerner said.