Odd Culture Group has announced that it has sold its Melbourne venture, Odd Culture Fitzroy, as it looks to double its footprint in Sydney.

Melbourne hospitality veteran and Fitzroy local Gerry Nass, who has been the General Manager and a 50% owner of Odd Culture Fitzroy since it opened in July 2023, has purchased the venue and will continue to operate it under new name, Good Liquor and Wine. The first day of trade under the new name will be May 6.

Odd Culture Group CEO James Thorpe said: “The Melbourne community really welcomed us with open arms and we have loved meeting and serving you all.

“The sale isn’t at all something we anticipated but we know it’s the right decision for us and that our guests are in great hands as we hand over the reins to our friend, Gerry Nass.

“Between our plans to double our footprint in Sydney and Gerry’s incredible investment and connection with the Fitzroy venue, this became an obvious, albeit difficult, decision for us to take. We need to keep our focus on this side of the border to deliver the incredible projects we have planned over the next year.”

Nass said: “Over the last year, the team and I have developed really close relationships with our patrons and we are excited to take the business into its new iteration. All staff members will be staying on in their roles as the business changes hands.”

The group currently has five venues in Sydney including Odd Culture Newtown, SPON wine bar and bottleshop, The Old Fitzroy Hotel, The Duke of Enmore and most recently, new late-night cocktail bar and music haunt, Pleasure Club.

The original Odd Culture Newtown in Sydney is in its third year of operation and in line with the group’s focus on offering diverse late-night experiences, has just extended its trading hours until 1am, with DJs on Friday and Saturday nights. The intention is to extend to 2am in the next few weeks.

Ahead of its expansion plans in Sydney this year, the group is bolstering operations and is on the hunt for a new Group General Manager.