One of Adelaide’s largest hospitality operators has put The Stag, on the corner of Rundle St and East Terrace, up for sale five years after taking it over and undertaking a major refurbishment.

Established as the Stag Inn in 1849, the Stag Public House Hotel and House of George Restaurant is now on the market.

Broker McGees Property said the venue “represents an exciting opportunity for the right operator to continue the success of this Adelaide institution”.

It is currently owned by Big Easy Group, which also operates Anchovy Bandit, Bottega Bandito, NOLA and La Louisiane.

“The Stag Public House and House of George Restaurant have become key players in the city’s social scene, with regular events and activations to pair alongside strong regular patronage,” McGees Property said.

“What sets the Stag Public House apart is not just the optimal location, but also the facilities it offers, including the fully serviced House of George Mediterranean Restaurant, state-of-the-art bars, and function facilities, which make it a versatile destination for a variety of patrons.”

McGees Property director of hotels and hospitality Grant Clarke said he was excited about the “rare sale opportunity”.

“The announcement of The Stag Public House being released to the market marks the end of an era and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for its future operator,” Clarke said.

Big Easy Group director and founder Olli Brown said the sale of pub and restaurant was a “strategic decision”.

“For us we were always looking to rebuild this iconic business to allow it to flourish after our tenure,” Brown said.

“We have done exactly what we set out to achieve. Our strategic plan now is to focus on smaller suburban projects like Bandit Pizza and Wine and Anchovy Bandit.”