Good Company Bar Group will add three new venues to its portfolio over the next six months, including the revival of two historic Melbourne venues as the group embarks on its fifth anniversary.
Founded by Nick Young, Ben White, and Antony Beltrame, Good Company Bar Group will first revive The Lounge in Melbourne’s CBD, which has been closed since 2018 after operating for 30 years as a nightclub.
The Swanston Street site will soon break ground and launch with a new name in Spring once the renovation is completed. Acknowledging the important role The Lounge has played in Melbourne’s music scene, Good Company Bar Group’s COO, Christian de Vrieze told Bars and Clubs the rejuvenation will be a nod to that history while giving the space a new life.
“[We will have a] big concentration on activating daytime trade via its amazing and iconic balcony position on Swanston Street by elevating the comforts taking inspiration from New York,” he stated.
“Expect a sharp but expressive wine list including some amazing Champagnes, share-style cocktails and bottle service.”
Additionally, Good Company Bar Group will partner with Andy Ryan and Dave Abela to launch two venues on Swan Street in Cremorne, including a new restaurant concept and the relaunch of Ugly Duckling with an elevated cocktail and wine list put together by Jon Minihan (ex-Beneath Driver Lane) and Matt Ambler, GCBG’s Bar Development Manager.
Ugly Duckling will showcase an Italian-inspired bar menu and new interiors designed by Brahman Perera, while the new restaurant, as yet unnamed, will open next door in the current Untitled site.
De Vrieze says he is most excited about the venues diversifying the group into new communities and different styles of hospitality.
“Sometimes hospitality groups get stuck with the one style of business model, but we embrace the challenge of executing so many different business types well,” he said.
“A focus on food is playing a pivotal role in our expansion and we also are working on a non- alcoholic program throughout the group in the background to go with all of our different offerings.”
Young added: “We’ve had the privilege of watching our venues evolve, and it’s humbling to see how far we’ve come. What started as a small-bar vision has grown into a collection of restaurants, nightclubs, late-night bars, and incredible function spaces. Melbourne’s nightlife scene is in our DNA, and this expansion is just the beginning.”
The three new venues will join the likes of Holy Grail, La La Land, Somewhere Bar, Circus, Rossi, Electric and The Emerson in the group’s portfolio – each of which will host special events on Friday 2 May in a city-wide celebration of the group’s fifth anniversary.
