Atlantic Group

What Atlantic Group does

Atlantic Group is a Melbourne-based hospitality house founded in 1994 by Hatem Saleh, operating a portfolio of nine distinctive event venues across Melbourne and regional Victoria — including 408 The Venue, Sophia, CIEL The Venue, Port Melbourne Yacht Club, Gardens House, Riviera Beach Club, Melbourne Connect, Science Gallery Melbourne, and The Goods Shed in Ballarat — alongside two restaurant brands (The Atlantic and Sushi Baby) and a bar (The Den). The company serves enterprise and consumer customers across weddings, corporate events, conferences, private parties, and major sporting events, with exclusive long-term catering contracts for the Melbourne Cup Carnival (since 2011) and Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix (since 2013), plus the 2026 Portsea Polo relaunch. It employs over 1,000 full-time and casual staff and hosts more than 1,200 events annually.

The business makes money through three integrated revenue streams: venue hire fees across its nine-venue portfolio (ranging from intimate rooms to 1,500+-guest capacities), external catering services delivered at Atlantic Group venues or client-specified locations (including the Tommy Collins by Atlantic Group joint venture), and restaurant/bar F&B sales. Major-event catering represents a high-volume professional services revenue stream, exemplified by 33,000+ racegoers served at Melbourne Cup Carnival and 14,300+ guests catered across the four-day F1 Australian Grand Prix. Pricing is quote-based with no public rates, distributed through direct sales (website enquiry, phone, email) and Eventbrite for public ticketed experiences.

The company's go-to-market is primarily event-driven direct sales targeting enterprise customers (VRC, Australian Grand Prix Corporation, Portsea Polo, University of Melbourne) and consumer segments (couples planning weddings, families hosting private celebrations), supplemented by signature public experiences (e.g., Bridgerton High Tea) that drive demand generation. Distribution is geographically concentrated — exclusively domestic, centred on Victoria — and the business remains founder-owned with no disclosed institutional capital, no public financial filings, and no technology platform or API serving external developers.

Name

Atlantic Group

Legal name

Atlantic Group

Website

https://atlanticgroup.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Atlantic Group is a privately-held Melbourne hospitality company operating nine event venues, two restaurants, a bar, and external catering services, serving enterprise and consumer customers across weddings, corporate events, and major sporting fixtures including the Melbourne Cup Carnival and Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Venue & Hospitality Services

NAICS

Food Services and Drinking Places (722), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Retail-Eating Places (5812), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Venue & Banquet Hall Catering (THAFAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Conference & Convention Center Catering (THAHAKAB)

Keywords

• Event venue hire
• Wedding catering services
• Corporate event management
• Hospitality venue management
• External catering services

Headquarters

HQ city

Prahran

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Venue Hire: Hiring out event venues across Melbourne including function spaces, conference venues, and wedding venues. Revenue generated from venue rental fees with varying capacities from intimate gatherings to 1,500+ guests.
2. External Catering: Premium catering services for events at Atlantic Group venues or external locations. Services include curated menus, cocktails, and comprehensive event catering from 15 to 500 guests.
3. Restaurant and Bar Operations: Restaurant and bar dining experiences including Sushi Baby and The Atlantic (currently closed for relocation). Revenue from food and beverage sales.
4. Major Event Catering Contracts: Exclusive catering contracts at major events including Melbourne Cup Carnival (since 2011) and Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix (since 2013). Serves 33,000+ and 14,300+ guests respectively per event.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Atlantic Group is a Melbourne hospitality house that operates a portfolio of premium event venues, restaurants, and bars, providing venue hire, in-house catering, and end-to-end event management. Its core services include corporate event hosting, weddings, private celebrations, conference venue hire, and exclusive catering for major events such as the Melbourne Cup Carnival and Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, supported by an in-house catering operation.

Product overview

Atlantic Group is a Melbourne-based hospitality house operating a portfolio of event venues, restaurants, bars, and catering services. The company operates primarily as a venue operator and events services provider rather than a technology platform. Core offerings include venue hire across 9 unique venues (408 The Venue, Sophia, Port Melbourne Yacht Club, CIEL The Venue, The Goods Shed, Riviera Beach Club, Melbourne Connect, Science Gallery Melbourne, and Gardens House), two restaurant brands (The Atlantic and Sushi Baby), one bar (The Den), and comprehensive event services including external catering (including Tommy Collins by Atlantic Group joint venture), major events catering (Melbourne Cup Carnival, Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, Portsea Polo), wedding services, corporate events, conference venues, and private parties. The company employs over 1,000 full-time and casual staff and hosts in excess of 1,200 events each year.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 408 The Venue Melbourne event destination at 408 City Road, Southbank. A contemporary architectural landmark with clean geometric lines, towering ceilings, steel-framed glass panels, polished concrete floors and natural lighting. Designed as a raw canvas for weddings, gala dinners, brand activations, and milestone celebrations.
• Sophia Multi-faceted events space within the Prahran Arcade on Chapel Street. Includes a Ballroom seating 100 (or 150 cocktail) with ornate chandeliers and balcony, and a 60-metre Gallery seating 200 (or 350 cocktail) with 26 arched windows. Late 19th-century Victorian building formerly home to artist David Bromley's studio.
• Port Melbourne Yacht Club Coastal venue on Port Melbourne foreshore with floor-to-ceiling glass windows opening onto a deck built over the ocean and panoramic views of Port Phillip Bay. Modern furnishings and light contemporary palette; versatile for beach weddings and waterfront events.
• CIEL The Venue Events venue in the heart of Melbourne CBD hosting 200 to 1,500 guests. Blank-canvas auditorium fitted with world-class audio, visual, and lighting systems, transformable for gala dinners up to 1,200 guests, with multi-purpose rooms, green room, and backstage areas.
• The Goods Shed Event centre in Ballarat featuring a 300-person Lydiard Hall event space, multiple Carriage Rooms accommodating up to 150, and Terminus Theatre with 321-seat cinema-sound capacity. Includes Events Plaza and Public Plaza outdoor areas.
• Riviera Beach Club Seaside venue at St Kilda Marina featuring The Cabana on the upper level with indoor event space and coastal luxe deck for up to 450 guests, and Festival Lawn on the lower level — an outdoor area suitable for food-truck and interactive-entertainment events.
• Melbourne Connect Innovation precinct in Carlton adjacent to the University of Melbourne's Parkville campus. Includes The Forum (up to 400 theatre-style), The Launch Pad (70 capacity), The Studio (tiered seating for 70), Womin-Djerring open-air oculus, and 16 bookable meeting rooms (4–32 guests) with integrated AV and Zoom video conferencing.
• Science Gallery Melbourne First Australian node in the international Science Gallery Network, within Melbourne Connect. Over 3,500 sqm of immersive exhibition and learning spaces designed by William Smart, including Science Gallery Theatre, Western Gallery, and Ground Floor Galleries. Capacity up to 1,300 guests.
• Gardens House Royal Botanic Gardens wedding venue and event space built in 1854. Double-storey heritage homestead with multiple entertaining rooms, second-storey balcony overlooking private gardens, and Garden Marquee for outdoor celebrations. Suitable for seated dining, black-tie cocktail dinners, and alfresco events.
• The Atlantic Restaurant Ocean-to-plate seafood restaurant at the Crown Entertainment Complex. 300-seat premium fine-dining environment with Oyster Bar & Grill for relaxed dining. Menus include oyster bar, à la carte, and degustation options. Currently closed and returning at a new location.
• Sushi Baby Japanese cuisine restaurant featuring hand-crafted sushi using traditional techniques. Dining room designed by Mim Design with a signature blush and soft-green colour palette. Located at 414 New Street, Brighton, VIC.
• The Den Underground basement bar at Crown featuring ambient décor with bookcases, gas-flamed heaters, velvet sofas, vintage Persian rugs, and grand piano. Offers expert cocktails, rare whiskies, vodkas, and spirits, with private rooms for events. Currently closed and returning at a new location.
• External Catering Premium destination catering service that brings Atlantic Group's event experiences to client-specified locations. Offers tailored menus and event experiences for guest lists of 15 to 500, including intimate weddings, rooftop events, brand launches, and private celebrations. Includes the Tommy Collins by Atlantic Group boutique catering joint venture (announced 2016).
• Major Events Catering Premium catering services for Melbourne's prestigious major events. Includes exclusive Melbourne Cup Carnival catering for 33,000+ racegoers annually since 2011 (including the Birdcage), Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix catering for 14,300+ guests across four days since 2013 (including Paddock Club), and exclusive Portsea Polo/F3Polo catering for the 2026 relaunch.
• Wedding Services Wedding venue hire and catering services across Atlantic Group's portfolio. Over 400 weddings per year delivered at CBD, garden, and waterfront venues. Includes seasonal menus, dedicated wedding planners, and customizable packages. Off-site wedding catering available via the external catering division.
• Corporate Events Corporate function venue hire and event services including intimate boardroom lunches, multi-day conferences, seminars, exhibitions, award nights, and corporate functions. Features state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and professional event planning across all Atlantic Group venues.
• Private Parties Private event venue hire for school formals, birthdays, christenings, anniversaries, engagement parties, bridal showers, and baby showers. Includes event planning, customized menus, and venue hire across the Melbourne portfolio.
• Conference Venues Small and large conference venue hire across Melbourne. Melbourne Connect offers 16 meeting rooms (4–32 guests) with AV and video conferencing; The Forum hosts up to 400 theatre-style. The Tarnuk Room at Cranbourne Gardens accommodates 90 seated or 120 cocktail. The Goods Shed Ballarat has a main event space for 240 and multiple meeting rooms.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves 33,000+ racegoers annually at Melbourne Cup Carnival
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Tommy CollinsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Joint venture partnership announced in October 2016 creating 'Tommy Collins by Atlantic Group' - an external catering brand combining Tommy Collins' expertise with Atlantic Group's hospitality capabilities for boutique destination catering.
• Finders Keepers GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Riviera Beach Club venue operation at Elwood, combining Atlantic Group's event expertise with Finders Keepers Group's beachside venue management.
• Good Company Bar GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Riviera Beach Club venue at Elwood, bringing together event hospitality and bar operations expertise.
• Science Gallery NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtlantic Group operates the first and only Australian node in the internationally acclaimed Science Gallery Network. Science Gallery Melbourne is located within Melbourne Connect precinct developed by University of Melbourne.
• University of MelbournecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with University of Melbourne for Melbourne Connect innovation precinct in Carlton. Atlantic Group provides event space management within this cutting-edge collaboration hub bringing together university and industry partners.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Navarra Venues: Sydney-based operator of multiple wedding and function venues with in-house catering; comparable model but primarily in NSW rather than Melbourne.
• Solotel: Australian hospitality group operating restaurants, bars and event venues; comparable multi-venue hospitality and events model centred outside Melbourne.
• Merivale: Large Sydney hospitality group operating venues, restaurants, bars and events; similar diversified hospitality model in a different metro market.

Direct peers

• Damm Fine Food Co: Melbourne premium event catering business serving weddings, corporate and major events, overlapping Atlantic Group's catering offering.
• Showtime Event Group: Melbourne operator of multiple waterfront and CBD event venues with in-house catering, directly competing for weddings, corporate and gala events.
• Trippas White Group: Australian hospitality group operating restaurants, venues and event catering at iconic locations; mirrors Atlantic Group's venue-plus-catering model.
• Peter Rowland Catering: Melbourne-based premium catering and event company servicing major events, weddings and corporate functions; directly competes with Atlantic Group on prestige catering and iconic-venue events.
• The Big Group: Melbourne catering and events company running venues and bespoke event catering, a close competitor in the premium events space.

Broad incumbents

• Australian Venue Co: National operator of pubs, bars and venues with food and beverage and function spaces; broader portfolio overlapping Atlantic Group's bar/venue operations.
• Compass Group (Restaurant Associates): Global contract catering and hospitality giant with major-event and venue catering arms; competes at scale for event and venue catering contracts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/atlanticgroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/atlanticgroupv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/atlantic-group-v-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Atlantic Group