The historic Black Swan Hotel could become Bendigo’s first boutique five-star hotel, as its owners begin to explore alternative uses for the iconic watering hole. 

The hotel, which was a popular late-night venue famed for its live music, closed its doors in February, with the licensees citing a changing social landscape for their decision. 

Co-owner Athalie Bazzani said while interest in the venue was strong, she had a responsibility to the area and neighbouring businesses.   

“We have to be mindful of the nature of prospective tenants and what their plans are.  We really want to be careful, we’re not in a rush,” she said. 

The owners have previously been approached by an organisation looking to buy the entire block on which the hotel sits, but, according to Ms Bazzani the timing wasn’t right.

“We've always felt it would be the ideal location for a five-star hotel, obviously preserving the facade,” said Ms Bazzani, adding she was willing to talk to “interested parties” regarding this idea.

The block, which included The Perch Nightclub and The Icon Bar, has a capacity of around 700 people. 

The venue was unsuccessfully put up for sale in 2015. 

“Our minds are open, we've been in business a long time and we're smart enough to know which business may have success in there and which may not,” Ms Bazzani said. 

The City of Greater Bendigo has identified the need for a boutique, five-star hotel in its draft infrastructure plan for the city over the next 30 years, titled Plan Greater Bendigo.

The plan, which details a number of ‘transformational’ infrastructure projects designed to cater for a population of 200,000 by 2050, floats the idea of a boutique hotel and conference centre within walking distance of the CBD.

According to the plan, the hotel would be privately funded, and would increase direct and indirect employment in Bendigo, but, “there is the potential for tension with existing facilities and it would be important to ensure that this new venue offered an alternative to the existing offer”.

The Black Swan – one of three Bendigo venues to hold a 5am liquor license – fell victim to reduced foot traffic in the CBD, according to former licensee Alysia Bazzani

“Times have changed in town, there’s not enough people going out anymore to sustain the amount of current nightlife venues in the CBD,” Ms Bazzani told the Bendigo Advertiser recently.

The City of Greater Bendigo introduced a by-law preventing the issue of further late licences in 2008, meaning the Black Swan, and two other venues, were the only locales allowed to serve alcohol until 5am.