Cocktail bar Temple to open on Liverpool St, Hobart at former Salvation Army venue
The venue that was once home to the Salvation Army and Flamingos nightclub has a new lease on life with the opening of Temple. How the venue wants to shake-up Hobart’s night-life.
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A ritzy $2m transformation of a former dance bar and Salvation Army citadel is set to transform Hobart’s night-life – and also help local charities.
Temple, in Liverpool St, will open its doors to the public on Friday night.
The new owners bought the 120-year-old building in 2020 at the height of the Covid pandemic.
It was once home to the Salvation Army and Flamingos nightclub, a hub for the LGBTIQIA+ community.
Celeste Bates, the music curator for Temple, which is offering membership for patrons, says the venue will provide a cross-section of music from re-mixed classics to house and techno.
“We’ve gutted the building and our aim is to provide an environment where people feel safe and secure and can enjoy themselves,” she said.
“Temple is only a nightclub on a Friday and Saturday night and we have five distinct spaces from the main bar and Inner Sanctum to The Chancel which is exclusively reserved for members.”
General manager and owner Liam McQuade, who went into hospitality after being made redundant as an electrician in Scotland, is not too worried about opening a new business during a cost of living crisis.
“People will always have the need to eat and drink and we’ve sought to create an establishment that caters to every taste and budget,” he said.
“Our diverse offering ensures that every guest who enters our doors is treated with the utmost importance, whether they’re indulging in a modest $11 glass of wine or opting for the opulence of a $5,500 12L bottle of champagne.”
Mr McQuade says Temple will employ about 50 staff from chefs to DJs.
“With over 35 years of combined experience in the industry, Dan (owner and venue manager) and I have encountered a myriad of situations, witnessing first-hand what strategies prove effective and which ones fall short,” he said.
“Prior to embarking on this venture, we made a steadfast commitment to ourselves: to ensure our team always receives fair and timely compensation – an aspect of employment that we ourselves have unfortunately experienced shortcomings in throughout the years.”
The interior includes messages relating to the spiritual theme and Mr McQuade is pleased at comparisons with Mona with Temple also “celebrating individuality and uniqueness”.
“Inclusivity is paramount to our ethos we are a venue for everyone,” he said.
“The theme of spirituality resonates deeply with our commitment to inclusivity, as it underscores our dedication to ensuring that all guests feel welcomed and safe, irrespective of their backgrounds, beliefs, or walks of life.”
Mr McQuade said half of the entry on Friday and Saturday nights would be given to local charities and those in need.
“While sustaining the operation of Temple is essential, our primary focus is not solely on financial gain.”
Originally published as Cocktail bar Temple to open on Liverpool St, Hobart at former Salvation Army venue
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