Key Features
Iconic Inverness city centre bar in a prime trading location
Well-established, high-profile trading business
Positioned on a key pedestrian route into the refurbished Victorian Market
Substantial property arranged over three floors plus basement
Loyal and established local customer base
Highly regarded live music and destination venue
Strongly performing business with established management in place
Suitable for remote or absentee ownership
Significant development potential throughout
Adjacent to a major tourist hotspot and regenerated market area
Highlight
Iconic Inverness city centre bar in a prime trading location on a key pedestrian route into the refurbished Victorian Market. This well-established, high-profile venue occupies a substantial three-storey property with basement and benefits from a loyal local customer base. A popular live music destination with established management in place, it is suitable for remote or absentee ownership. Located beside a major tourist hotspot, the business also offers strong development potential.
Description
Occupying a prime position in the heart of Inverness city centre, The Market Bar is one of the Highlands’ best-known traditional pubs and live music venues. Renowned amongst locals and tourists alike, the business enjoys a strong trading reputation and a prominent position within the city’s leisure circuit.
Dating back to the 1740s, this characterful property has been successfully operated by the current owners for over 38 years.
Arranged over three floors plus a substantial basement, the main trading areas comprise a traditional public bar at ground floor level and a vibrant first-floor music venue.
The business currently trades solely on wet sales, offering clear scope for future growth and diversification.
The unused second floor presents further development potential, subject to the necessary consents, enhancing the overall appeal of this rare and historic hospitality opportunity.
Trade
The Market Bar is prominently located on the pedestrian routes into the Victorian Market from Church Street, in the heart of Inverness. Close to the city’s main social circuit, it has an established reputation as a springboard for talent, having hosted early performances from well-known Scottish artists.
The property benefits from two entrances serving the ground floor bar and first-floor venue. Each space accommodates up to 60 guests, giving a combined capacity of approximately 120. The layout allows the business to operate dual trade, catering to both live music audiences and those seeking a quieter social drink. The ground floor also includes TV and darts facilities.
Retaining many original features, the bar offers a traditional atmosphere with a well-stocked gantry and range of keg beers, contributing to its strong appeal among locals and visitors.
Recent refurbishment of the adjacent Victorian Market, including the addition of a new food hall, has significantly increased footfall and enhanced the surrounding trading environment.
The ground floor bar trades seven days a week from 9am–11pm. The upstairs venue operates Monday to Sunday from 12noon – 1am for live music, with plans to extend to seven-day trading from April (12pm–1am).
The Market Bar currently operates without the benefit of its own website but utilises a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/marketbar.inverness).
Location
Inverness city centre occupies a strategic position as the commercial and transport hub of the Scottish Highlands, providing excellent regional connectivity and strong logistical advantages for businesses.
The Market Bar benefits from a central location within the main city centre trading area, close to Church Street and key pedestrian routes, ensuring high levels of footfall throughout the year.
Inverness is well served by road, rail and air links, with direct access via the A9 and A96 providing efficient routes to Aberdeen, Perth and the Central Belt. The city’s railway station offers regular services to Edinburgh, Glasgow and London, while Inverness Airport provides domestic and limited international connections, supporting both business and tourism travel.
As the principal service centre for the Highlands and Islands, Inverness draws from a wide rural catchment area in addition to its strong local population. This is further enhanced by its role as a major tourist gateway, with significant seasonal and year-round visitor numbers.
The combination of strong infrastructure, growing population, and established tourism economy makes Inverness city centre a highly desirable and commercially resilient trading location for hospitality operators.
Accommodation
The Property
The Market Bar is a 3-storey property with a full basement level with its origins from around the 1740s. The property is in a terraced location and has excellent prominence and branding. The building is of stone construction under a slate roof.
Terms
Reason For Sale
After owning and running The Market Bar since 1982 and successfully operating the business for many years in the hospitality sector, the owners’ forthcoming retirement brings this excellent opportunity to the market.
Rates / Council Tax
The rateable value of the property is £37,000, details can be found on the SAA web site for property reference 06/08/147530/4.
Finance and Legal Services
ASG Commercial Ltd is in touch with a variety of different lenders who can provide specialist finance. We will be delighted to discuss your financing requirements with you and make an appropriate introduction where appropriate. We also have many contacts in the legal profession who can assist in all legal matters arising.
Specification
The business benefits from mains electricity, water and drainage. The premises trading aspects are fully compliant with Environmental Health and Fire Regulations. The building also has a security system.