Australian Venue Co. (AVC), is a hospitality company in Australia that owns and operates over 200 venues across the country.

History

in 2017,

KKR KKR & Co. Inc., also known as Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., is an American global investment company that manages multiple alternative asset classes, including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate, credit, and, through its strateg ...

purchased an 80% stake in Dixon Hospitality Group. The company's portfolio initially consisted of five venues in Melbourne, but has expanded to over 200 venues across Australia and New Zealand. In March 2019,

Coles Group Coles Group Limited is an Australian public company operating several retail chains. Its chief operations are primarily concerned with the sale of food and groceries through its flagship supermarket chain Coles Supermarkets, and the sale of l ...

and Australian Venue Co. established a joint venture (Queensland Venue Co) where AVC would take over operations of the Coles' Spirit Hotels and receive its profits while Coles would run the group's liquor stores and receive its profits. Coles received $200 million from AVC as part of the deal. In August 2023, PAG agreed terms to purchase KKR's controlling shareholding for about .

Venues

AVC's venues are spread across various locations in Australia, ranging from coastal towns to major cities. The company's portfolio includes bars, restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, and function spaces that cater to different clientele. Some of the popular brands owned by AVC include: * The Esplanade Hotel: Built in 1878, it overlooks Port Phillip from the Upper Esplanade. Iconic St Kilda seaside pub with five levels. * The Winery: A wine bar and restaurant in Surry Hills,

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

that features an extensive selection of local and international wines. * Beer DeLuxe: A chain of craft beer bars with multiple locations across Australia that offers an array of local and international beers on tap. * The Duke of Wellington: The Duke of Wellington is Melbourne's oldest licensed pub, located at 146 Flinders Street, Melbourne * Regatta Hotel: Located on the

Brisbane River The Brisbane River is the longest river in South East Queensland, Australia, and flows through the city of Brisbane, before emptying into Moreton Bay on the Coral Sea. John Oxley, the first European to explore the river, named it after the Go ...

, the Regatta Hotel has been the place to gather with family, friends, and colleagues since 1874.

Headquarters and staffing

AVC's Head Office is located at 616

St Kilda Road St Kilda Road is a street in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is part of the locality of Melbourne which has the postcode of 3004, and along with Swanston Street forms a major spine of the city. St Kilda Road begins at Flinders Street, in ...

, Melbourne. AVC has over 8,300 employees across Australia & New Zealand.

References

External links

* {{Coles Group Alcohol distribution retailers in Australia Companies based in Melbourne Companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange Drink companies of Australia Retail companies established in 1846 1846 establishments in Australia Australian companies established in 1846 Hospitality companies of Australia 2023 mergers and acquisitions Coles Group Kohlberg Kravis Roberts companies