AS ARMIDALE’S nightclub prepared to reopen its doors, its new owner said he was working hard to clean up the venue’s image.
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Earlier this month Mojo’s nightclub closed after its previous owner Anthony Hanna sold the business.
Now called Playground, the nightclub’s new owner Anthony Maklouf and licensee Matt Rose have revamped the venue’s image to create something “fun, quirky and different”.
Along with a new name and style, Mr Maklouf said he wanted to ensure the Playground had a different reputation than its predecessor.
“[That behaviour] will not be tolerated,” Mr Maklouf said yesterday.
“We are going to enforce rules and regulations.
“We want to manage it right and create a safe, fun venue.”
He said he would be working with the local police to ensure the venue would be more responsible with its duty of care towards its patrons.
Part of the rebranding of Playground included opening an American-style 1950s diner aimed at catering for the university crowd, while also offering “family-friendly fun”.
Mr Rose said Diner would be offering affordable meals, with a menu including hot dogs, burgers and milkshakes. The Diner would also have arcade games.
He said it was the type of place he would have enjoyed frequenting as a university student.
“We wanted to create a cool hang-out joint,” Mr Rose said.
Meanwhile, the nightclub itself had been turned into a jungle, with Mr Rose explaining it included fake grass and plants.
The men said they would try a few different things to draw patrons in, saying they were planning themed nights and would be attracting more big name acts to play at the venue to create value for money.
The list of upcoming events includes the after party for the Sunset music festival, Recess Fridays which would include theme nights and a performance by adult entertainers the Bombshells.