The transformation of Fortitude Valley continues as the team behind West End’s iconic Lychee Lounge open the doors of their new venue Laruche.
Located next to the Bowery Bar, La Ruche which is french for ‘the hive’ dishes up a blend of Art Nouvea-surreal design, simple plates, modernista Martinis and classics.
Following the decadence of Zuri, the opulent scale of Cloudland, the Buffalo Club’s haute gastronomy and grungy new kid x & y, Laruche is a piece of art created by Elie Moubarak. His love affair with the arts has driven this project from inception three years ago to today. Inspiration, collaboration and imagination combined with engineering, his area of study in another life, have created this artwork which swings wildly between the beautiful, the macabre and the decadent.
The venue spans two levels and is drenched in an eclectic take on contemporary belle epoque.
” The traffic and stifling evening heat of Ann Street dissipates into oblivion as the door closes behind you. Instantly you are transported to a fanciful world far from reality; a world that could exist in the twisted imaginations of Tim Burton or MC Escher. The space at once confounds and inspires. Disproportioned furniture engages the psyche. Awe-inspiring blown-glass light fixtures create an intimate yet eerie glow, adding to the mysterious aura that imbues the room. Subtly inscribed throughout the two-storey sanctuary is the phrase ‘Laruche’ – French for ‘The Hive’. The fertile mind that first imagined this decadent yet macabre take on Art Nouveau was that of Elie Moubarak, long-time proprietor of West End cocktail nook, Lychee Lounge. Together with his brothers
Notable artists and creative talent involved have developed this project into a distinct range of design. Together, Remo Vallance, Jennie Jackson and Lucas Salton have taken Elie’s vision and created a space that is truly visionary in scope.
Remo has a long career in creating dynamic spaces that capture the imagination and delight the spirit. From festival staging and installations to bar concepts and designs, Remo’s skill turns a simple light into an awe striking fantasy luminary. His pieces are structurally intricate but rich in colour and texture. The overall result is a captivating sensory delight from the moment you enter the venue.
Highly awarded and learned in her Visual Arts profession, Jennie Jackson’s art and creations investigate texture and shape. She explores concepts such as femininity, forests, culture and mythologies and the links between them. The parallels between Jennie’s work and Laruche lie in aiming to transcend the familiar into something delightfully new and unusual.
Lucas Salton from Liquid Glass is a passionate and explorative glass blower who has helped to design three different types of lighting fixtures that create the ambience of both the main bar, the dining table and upstairs. The sensuality of glass features predominantly throughout the venue, its curved and colourful forms a testament to the Art Nouveau inspiration on the entire space.
Laruche’s audio system was designed and installed by Brad Parker of Parker Black Pro Audio Sales & Installations. Brad decided upon a complete HK Audio system comprising of two HK Audio CT-118 subs, two HK Audio CT-112 mid/highs, two HK Audio CT-108 room fills and two HK Audio L.U.C.A.S SMART Systems. Two MC2 Audio T-3500 power amplifiers and a HK Audio DSM 2060 system processor drive the system.
Laruche’s Entertainment Coordinator, Sound Guy and DJ, Miro Grgic is thrilled with the HK Audio system.
“The owners and myself chose the HK Audio, first and foremost because of its quality sound and secondly because of the great service that Brad at Parker Black audio provides.
“I find that with two Audio T-3500 power amplifiers for our capacity of 300 people there is plenty of head room in the system. The dispersion and warmth of the speakers allow the patrons to enjoy a drink and not
have to yell at each other. Yet at the same time, they can completely get immersed in the music and dance.
“So for our cocktail, lounge club this was the ideal system. Unlike some other A-class sound systems, HK Audio is very well priced for the quality it provides. We are in our fifth week and I am very happy with the equipment.”
HK Audio L.U.C.A.S SMART
“So, where did you hide the other speakers?” The owners of L.U.C.A.S SMART have grown accustomed to questions like this posed by incredulous listeners. Never before has such a powerful sound come in such a petite package. Looking for a subcompact high-performance system that one person can tote easily and set up inconspicuously? Is it your goal to deliver impressive presentations, or to make your appearance as a solo entertainer a memorable experience in big, bold sound? Then L.U.C.A.S SMART is the right system for you. L.U.C.A.S SMART distills the legendary L.U.C.A.S experience into the miniature format.
Powered by a 250-watt digital amp (PWM), the subwoofer’s 10″ woofer has proven its merits in high-end touring systems. Engineered to throw a generously a wide, uniform pattern, the satellites offer audio resolution to rival that of premium studio monitors—richly detailed, silky voice-reinforcement guaranteed. And with the optional trolley, handling and transport is a piece of cake. Even a child could tote this mighty mite.
CMI Audio