Dom’s Bar and Lounge in Nightcliff on market as distilling business spears ahead

A swanky Darwin cocktail bar with all its booze included is on the market. Read what you’ll get.

Dominic Wundke from Dom's Bar in Nightcliff has had it's outdoor dining license withdrawn after numerous noise complaints. Picture: Che Chorley

A popular cocktail bar and venue that helped keep Darwin happy during the Covid-19 pandemic has hit the market.

Dom’s Bar and Lounge at 60 Aralia St, Nightcliff, has been opened up for expressions of interest starting at $150,000, plus stock and value.

The first small bar opened outside of Darwin’s CBD, Dom’s launched three months before Covid hit Australia, which should have been a death-sentence for the business.

Instead it provided a foundation from which to build a popular, enduring business.

Founder Dom Wundke recalled that soon after the satisfaction of opening night in late 2019, the entire NT hospitality scene was thrown into chaos by the pandemic.

But after the initial period of uncertainty, the business was able to adapt and do deliveries out the back of a ute, segue with events like the Seabreeze, gin and cocktail festivals and, when venues were reopened, host their own brand of fun.

Dom’s Bar is for sale. Photograph: Che Chorley

This included regular running slam poetry nights, cocktail masterclasses, arcade puppy parties, comedy nights, chess nights, cocktail nights, trivia, and a Jenga competition.

“We really tried to provide entertainment for our local community and something different that people might not have been able to do elsewhere,” Mr Wundke said.

When the NT Government allowed home deliveries, Dom’s streak for innovation hit overdrive.

“We started the first sort of cocktail delivery service out the back of my ute and were shaking the cocktails fresh on the driveway, walking up to people’s houses with palm trees and lights and music, and entertaining people while we made a cocktail for them.

In just its second year Dom’s was named Best New Venue at the Hospitality NT awards and won Best Cocktail List at the 2023 Gold Plate Awards.

Mr Wundke intends to now focus on growing his distillery, Speargrass, which sells locally produced gin and vodka to about 60 venues across Darwin and Australia, and is looking at export markets in south-east Asia.

Darwin Property Group’s Judy Truong said there is still time for potential buyers to snap up a “most cherished” hospitality venue.

“Since opening in 2019, Dom’s Bar and Lounge has redefined Darwin’s bar scene, offering a sophisticated and welcoming atmosphere that has drawn the attention of Nightcliff locals and visitors to the suburb,” she said.

She said with a secure lease in place until March 2030, the business’ operating licenses provide flexibility for extended trading hours and off-site events.

The EOI ends at 4pm on Thursday, March 13. For details contact [e-mail]