Tropical Dive Bar Copacabana Up For Sale

One of the most indelible dive bars on the Main is on the market. The tropical-themed, somewhat threadbare Copacabana was recently listed by Sutton agent Gerard Serapiglia for $160,000.

The price tag, which excludes GST/QST and the top floor of a building evaluated at over $900,000, includes a small prep kitchen, five video poker machines and all the requisite permits. Fake palm trees and surfer murals too, presumably.

"The place needs some work," says Serapiglia, "but it has a lot of authentic retro charm from the 1950s and 1960s. In the right hands it could really be something again."

The bar was given a modest facelift not too long ago but owner Albino Fernandes is now prepared to move on.

"The owner is in his seventies and has been at it for decades. It's difficult to manage a place like this at that age and keep it fresh at the same time. He's ready to turn the page."

Prolific Montreal bar owner Éric Le François (Rufus Rockhead, La Taverne Normand, Drinkerie Ste-Cunégonde, Laurea/Lorbeer) sees potential, with some caveats.

"The price seems a little on the low side but is not all that unusual for a place of that size with all the proper permits. It depends. Any potential buyer would have to conduct a very thorough inspection."

· Copacabana For Sale [Sutton]
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