Manhattan Caliber Bistro in Elm City
Business Description
It was found it tucked between a row of brick storefronts, a place that, from the moment the door swung open, felt less like downtown New Haven and more like a slice of Manhattan dropped into Elm City. Sunlight pooled on a modern, geometric tile floor; laughter rose from a long, show stopping bar where 15 patrons nursed cocktails that tasted like summer. The space breathed—2,800 sq ft spread over two floors, high ceilings, a small patio for people watching, and a rhythm that had kept it busy for 10 bustling years. On the first floor, forty diners settled into intimate tables while the bar hummed with conversation. Upstairs, a second level of 50 seats waited like a secret room made for celebrations—Yale parties, rehearsal dinners, late night gatherings—each night folding into the next with ease. Before the world changed, the place pulled in $1.5M a year, a testament to a menu and atmosphere that kept locals and students coming back. The lease reads like a rare find: long term, with rent at $7,200/month, a number that turns heads when you imagine the foot traffic and event demand outside the door. The hours are straightforward—open seven days, the money-making window from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM—but the real opportunity lives in the margins: owner-operator efficiencies, expanded private events, late-night service, and catering for the university’s endless calendar. Walking through the kitchen, an aspiring owner could already see the possibilities: a few tweaks to the menu, a sharper social calendar, a hands on operator who knows how to read a room. The fixtures, the lease, and the loyal clientele are in place. What’s left is the next chapter: someone takes the keys and turns a beloved neighborhood bistro into their signature success. This is more than a listing; it’s a story waiting for its new owner
About the Business
- Years in Operation
- 11
- Facilities & Assets
- chic 2,800 sq ft over two floors / 40 money making seats 1st; 50 2nd floor / incredible show stopping full service bar seating ~15 / inviting patio for watching steady local of foot traffic / Fully state of he art equipped open kitchen / High ceilings / Long term lease; $7,200 below market rent / Open 7 bustling days; peak service 11:30 AM–9:30 PM; + Yale demand / Financials (pre change): Historically $1.5M annual gross / Upside: Private events, late night service
- Market Outlook / Competition
- High foot traffic corridor —downtown visibility and walk-by exposure / Strong beverage potential Showstopping bar and patio boost income / Seasonal and tourism upside — Proximity to campus events / Proven demand history / Two-floor flexibility
- Opportunities for Growth
- Add late night service and weekend brunch / Expand private events, market the second floor 50 seat / Stronger digital marketing use targeted social, student ambassadors/owner operator efficiencies, reduce labor and food costs / Partnerships with Yale, secure preferred vendor status for campus events,
About the Sale
- Seller Motivation
- After a long, fruitful career, it’s time to retire
- Transition Support
- If needed
Listing Info
- ID
- 2465260
- Listing Views
- 5
Listing ID: 2465260 The information on this listing has been provided by either the seller or a business broker representing the seller. BizQuest has no interest or stake in the sale of this business and has not verified any of the information and assumes no responsibility for its accuracy, veracity, or completeness. See our full Terms of Use. Learn how to avoid scams.
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