Sydney Second-hand Bookshop, Cafe & Bar. Business for Sale

Sydney Second-hand Bookshop, Cafe & Bar. Business for Sale.

The iconic Sydney Sappho books – comprising Sappho Books, Cafe & Bar and Da Capo Music Bookshop in Sydney’s inner west suburb of Glebe is being offered for sale for the first time.

Established in 1996, the business is thriving and successful and has solid and reliable figures. Sappho has weathered the storm of COVID lockdowns and has satisfyingly bounced back after reopening.

It has a lease of 3 years with an option to extend for a further 5. It has good and co-operative landlords, keen to keep the business in the premises.

Everything in all the various arms of the business are to be included in the sale. That is: the Bookshop, the Cafe, the Bar and Da Capo Second-hand Music Bookshop ( which is located upstairs from Sappho.).

Sappho is located ideally next to the highly regarded new bookshop Gleebooks and close to both Sydney University and UTS.

Training by the owners in all aspects of running Sappho is of course available by negotiation.

The Sappho bookshop staff have extensive training and we have a history of strong loyalty from our employees. There are also comprehensive training manuals for all aspects of the business.

Sappho has a huge online presence and popularity, which a simple google search will attest to. It is not an exaggeration to say Sappho has iconic status. It has been included in lists and articles of iconic secondhand bookshops around the world. Sappho’s current Google rating is 4.6 with nearly 687 reviews. The cafe’s Google rating is in the top 20 in Sydney. The Facebook likes are over 6,800 with a 4.7 rating and with a following of over 7,000. Tripadvisor has a 4.5 rating.

Owning and running Sappho has been a huge and genuine pleasure. From the never ending and ongoing interest and stimulation of handling books to the interactions with interesting customers from all walks of life, to a warm and happy relationship with the staff, Sappho has given a rewarding life. However after 25 years, due to health concerns we have decided it is time to retire.

If you have a serious and genuine interest in this business you can contact Meredith & Angus directly at [email protected]

We like to be noticed…

Sappho Books, Cafe & Bar

4.6

Based on 740 reviews

See all reviews Write a review

Sappho Books Cafe & Wine Bar

4.7

Based on 131 reviews

See all reviews Write a review

A great place to unwind, it has got character (rustic, quirky and quaint). The coffee and crunchy rice were yummy!!! Good service too.

Merly Lord

A lovely place with a great vibe that one can stop over at to flee from hustle and bustle.Curious about the arty events, I'll be back!

Agnes Sara Kuziel

Loved the CAT. I admire how this business turned this place to become a multipurpose environment, consisting a café, bookstore and bar. I did feel like I was going to fall backwards when going upstairs to browse the bookshelves and visit the ADORABLE CAT peacefully napping on a chair. The staff at the front desk was friendly as I had to awkwardly ring the bell a couple times but other than that it is a great place to purchase second hand books and records.

Marie-Hélene Aquèmann

Such a beautiful place. A relaxing calm environment. If you love books and coffee you must visit. The food was really great too and decently priced city wise... I particularly loved seeing their beloved cat Charlie roam around. Will definitely come back again.

Sala-O-Vea Walter

Great food, coffee and atmosphere in this busy cafe. Some work needed on customer service by wait staff.

Angela H

Beautiful cafe/bookstore. Very tasty chai latte.Stepping inside feels like getting away from Sydney for a little while.

Millie Lemesle

The atmosphere is the best here. We walked by the store and decided to just walked in to take a quick rest. We ended up to stay whole afternoon here. Definitely recommend to any one who loves books with a nice cup of coffee.

Joanna Kors

Nice hidden little spot, good for a morning or afternoon catch up with a few friends or just to sit and read a book

Rohan Martin

Books, records, sheet music, Great Live music at night. Great food. Wish I could visit every day ❣️❣️❣️

Glenn M

The book store portion is absolutely lovely, the space is used very well. Food from the cafe was delicious and the service was fast, even though it was quite busy.

Jade Dalton (JadeDragon)

Great Cafe to spend a few hours talking and drinking loose leaf tea, and eating a stack of 2 pancakes. In the shop you can buy a second hand book from a great selection!

julia ps

Sapphos Cafe is a lovely place that is a set a little bit away from the street. My friend and I had coffee with a small bite to eat (unfortunately I cannot remember what it was). It was good value, and only about $15 for each of us. Considering it was brunch, it was a very good price. Close to Broadway shopping centre, so it's conveniently located, but it feels like it's located within a hideaway location yet so close to the city.Would go again when I am around the area 🙂

Alex

Great place to browse books, read and have a coffee. Their vegan affogato is a must. Other vegan options were limited.edit: they've updated their vegan menu since I've last been – worth checking out.

Nicholas Smith

Really chill cocktail bar hidden down an alley behind of bookstore. Live music and outdoor seatings. Vibes were on point.

C Y

Lovely book store/coffee shop in the heart of Glebe. Perfect spot for having a nice coffee and enjoy a good book. I’ll definitely come back to try their menu.

Silvia

Hidden in the alley way inside a historical bookstore, definitely recommend checking it out. It also has a vegan menu.

Selina L

Lovely little oasis in Glebe with definitely improved vegan options. I had the cheesy melt. Not bad, although sides are a bit pricey.

Chris Ford

I had the good fortune of having Sapphos host my post-engagement celebration. My partner and I loved our secluded, bookish, romantic moment. We had some of our early dates at Sapphos and couldn’t think of a better place to start the next chapter of our story together.

Tierney Marey

My favourite coffee shop in Sydney. Amazing book store, really good coffee and more than quaint enough

Phil McMeel

lovely bookstore to lose yourself in before enjoying a scrummy meal in the leafy open air back courtyard

Sonia Colombet

Beautiful, quaint place. Paradise for book lovers and some great food! Perfect for some alone time or with your kid or other book lovers 😊

Reeti Trivedi Pandharipande

This is my absolute favourite place to get away, drink good coffee and daydream as I browse the day away. I wish I lived closer so that I could visit every week... but then I would probably own an entire library of books 🤔😎

Kirstin Amaryllis Callaghan McPhee

Great place for book fans, enjoy a coffee or some delicious food in the cafe. I dare you to leave without a book!

Louise Van Vuren

Quirky cafe with loads of character and cute little nooks for enjoying amazing food the best coffee around!

Melinda Jane Barton

We had our 25th wedding anniversary party at Sappho. The staff put everything on seamlessly, we didn't have to do anything all night, just kick back and enjoy the food, drinks and company!

Rory Campbell

The books are amazing and the vibe is gorgeous. Would definitely recommend going there and checking it out, especially for the books and the cute cat upstairs!

Charlie Chandra-Perera

I would like to thank everyone involved for ensuring that every aspect of our wedding night was exactly as we imagined. Friendly staff, incredible food and the cafe provided the perfect backdrop for photos.

Brook Armstrong

It is on of the best cafe in Glebe & excellent vegetarian food, chai tea, latte - we have been returning to this establishment for past 10 years🎉

Helena Try

LoVe Sappho Bar! Fantastic setting & great staff (say hello to Jeb & Zoe)!Love their live music & especially the "Poetry" & "Open Mic" nights!Best place in Glebe!Highly recommended!

Vito Radice

I love everything about this place. Have been here countless times and enjoyed my experience every time. Love the reasonably priced yummy food, the atmosphere and of course the secondhand books!

Razel Rull-Navarro

Haven't gone for breakfast or lunch. Night time in my opinion is the best time to be at Sappho's. Beautiful live music each time I've been. Relaxing, great vibe, great for anything, dates, meeting up with a friend for a drink. Staff are helpful and food and drinks are on point. I love everything about this place. It feels like I'm sitting in my backyard and someone has jazzed it up with fairy lights and a beautiful live band. Have introduced alot of friends to this place and each of them have adored it like I do.

Alexandra Ware

A treasure trove, if you dig around. Most of the books are in good condition and I forgot to buy the book about faeries!! Will definitely return. Coffee is good, or could always go for their craft beers.

HL Lee

Sappho Books Cafe and Wine Bar, has been Emad's residency for nearly 6years. It's a great place for smokers and nonsmokers. It has a large back yard with tables and chairs, where one can meet people , have a drink or even read a book, have a birthday party or even get married there. I first knew Sappho as a book shop, and was a regular customer there, but in the last few years I have been helping my son Emad, by being his Roadie. We enjoy going there.

Tony Younan

I have to say it was the hippiest place I have ever attempted! But didn't feel pretentious! It felt nice.. cocktails were reasonably priced and lovely!

Noor Jwad

Nice relaxing atmosphere and good service. Looking forward to the poetry evenings this forthcoming 2017!

Stephen Heart

Great relaxed atmosphere, delicious food, cheerful and courteous staff. Can't wait for another vegan iced coffee 😀

Emily Prentice

Enjoyed a relaxing brunch, coffee was good, food was great and the whole team was friendly and courteous. A very relaxed atmosphere.

Daniel Yung

Sappho made my day once again: perfect iced latte created by the beautiful and loving Hannah. Delicious chicken panini. Toasted to perfection. Everything on the menu is a poetic combination of well-chosen ingredients, put together with care and flair by delightful staff. Always leave with a big smile that lasts all day.

Montana Bates

I discovered this place on a Friday morning casually walking through Glebe. The atmosphere is to die for and classic literature lovers will certainly appreciate it's simple beauty. A lovely outdoorsy area to enjoy a cup of tea and lunch while reading through your favourite books and a very cosy upstairs library. I also purchased a few first additions which were unbelievably cheap with adorable dedications.

Nafela Rifaii

Amazing little find. Just stumbled across this restaurant whilst looking for someswhere to fulfil a cheeseboard craving. It was wonderful. Impressive wine list too. Was curious of the names of the 2 girls playing guitar and singing last friday night. Could u let me know?

Sara Fagerlund

‹

›