After twelve months spent completely overhauling of the venue, the concept, the menus and the team, Brighton’s iconic pub, Half Moon has come full circle.

Colonial Leisure Group the team behind the rebirth of Half Moon, known for their high profile and varied portfolio of successful hospitality establishments including Botanical, Lamaro’s, lucky Coq, and a suite of leading pubs in Perth, CLG has once again demonstrated its prowess in turning simple venues into iconic institutions with its latest venture Half Moon in Brighton.

Originally established as Hotel Central in 1960’s and owned by brothers Joe and Lou Molina, it was renamed Half Moon only a decade ago. Since that time the venue has undergone a number of revamps but non to the scale and extraordinary detail of that under the new ownership of GLG and designers Projects of Imagination. Half Moon now boasts six drinking and dining spaces over two levels all interconnected by a stunning new timber battened staircase and open walkway allowing great views across the venue from all vantage points.

The public bar is now twice its original size and adjoining beer garden featuring Melbourne’s first air mist cooling system and landscaped by Greg Palmer, accommodates large groups easily under its two storey high glass ceiling. These wet areas are complemented by the adjoining dining room with its original exposed brick wall, and the Molina Room - the Private Dining Room which accommodates twenty people within its unique wine bottle display walls that provide a cosy feeling inside.

Upstairs is the Henry Room - the cocktail style bar with DJ booth and open fire place - perfect for a cocktail or two and the chance to kick up your heels. In addition there is also a private function room at the rear of the building featuring its own large outdoor deck to accommodate functions of all styles.

Thanks to Projects of Imagination, the interior is contemporary and colourful with a distinctive link back to its Hotel Central heritage. It exudes a cool and polished vibe balanced with a completely relaxed feel – everything you could want in your “local”.

“The past was the starting point,” explained Nick Cox of Projects of Imagination. “Recent renovations over the last ten years disguised what Half Moon was formally, an open, honest and colourful pub known as Hotel Central. The inspiration behind the redevelopment of Half Moon as the new urban pub can be understood by reflecting on the history of the existing building and the local neighbourhood. By retaining only the existing facade of the building, and stripping back the paint to reveal exposed red-brick walls, a myriad of different inter-connecting indoor and outdoor experiences have been created.

“Layered warm recycled timber walls, custom lights and bi-encaustic tiles in graphic patterns have been used throughout. There is a common thread of juxtaposing and contrasting materials throughout, however each area has been designed to feel unique and special, encouraging conversation and offering comfort. An attention to detail, colour and texture exudes throughout the re-design, from the in-built blackened steel coasters in the tables to the coat and bag hooks under each ledge. A considered and relaxed environment has been created for locals and the broader community to enjoy.”

Digital Living designed, supplied and installed the audio visual system featuring Martin Audio OmniLine speakers throughout the main bar and courtyard areas and Martin Audio subwoofers and ceiling speakers to even out the audio throughout the venue.

Requiring a more discreet look, the dining room uses a series QSC AD-S32 speakers and matching Acoustic Design series sub woofer that can blend well into the surrounds. The Central which doubles as a second function space has two Martin Audio AQ8 loud speakers and Martin subs discreetly built into the wall.

Upstairs, the Henry room is a larger L-shape private function space presented another audio challenge, a number of smaller discreet speakers in the form of eight QSC AD-S52’s and multiple QSC Acoustic Design series subwoofers provide the necessary balance of performance and aesthetics.

The whole facility is controlled by Digital Living’s custom designed Venue Controller. Allen & Heath IDr8 DSP processing with RTI touch screens are throughout the venue to control the displays and audio levels as well as and set up different room scenarios with pre-programmed presets.

Corporate customers are catered for with wireless VGA senders to allow laptop presentations to be sent to the installed plasma screens and mobile trolleys. A number of discreetly located wall plates also allow the mobile trolleys to be positioned around the venue for big sporting event coverage.

In keeping with the venue’s classic and contemporary themes Nightlife Music Video worked with Matthew Price from Digital Living and Venue Manager Mark Walker to create two individual audio zones to complement the bar areas and the courtyard, dining room. This modern interpretation of a traditional pub boasts a range of tailored music, sourced from over 800 record labels internationally, and updated regularly.

A relaxed morning vibe for breakfast and coffee in the bar areas is established through the acoustic, funk and soul grooves, carrying through to lunchtime. A splash of jazz in the afternoons is bright, yet smooth before happy hour kicks in. The evenings get going with more commercial tracks that are toe-tapping and familiar, and the nights are filled with the latest party songs.

The courtyard and dining rooms start the day with a light lounge vibe and continue throughout the day spiced with French, Italian, Asian, salsa, soul and other worldly flavours. This contemporary music feel is laid-back and comfortable.

Later in the week, the music from Thursday through to Saturday livens up a notch. As the venue sees a younger demographic, the bars and courtyard maintain the laidback acoustic and soul feel during the day time, moving into cool dance and party tracks into the night. The cocktail bar carries a light lounge atmosphere with elements of world and French music, and a taste of soul beats later in the evening.

Mark worked with Ben Wighton his Relationship Manager from Nightlifeto create a music schedule that would automatically match the trading pattern of the venue however the Half Moon’s role as an events and functions hub for the locals means that Mark needs to be able to respond to changes in the venue instantly which he can simply do through his Smartphone.