Temple nightclub’s new owners’ plea to patrons

After a restructure in ownership, Temple nightclub is pleading with patrons to embrace it and save workers’ jobs. Find out why.

Dan Conway and Liam McQuade new co-owners with Danni Clark bar tender. Temple in Hobart has changed ownership. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

After a shaky start, Hobart nightclub Temple, has had a change of ownership.

Liam McQuade and Dan Conway are now the sole owners and directors of Temple 2.0 which is being relaunched this weekend.

“This was Dan and my dream and unfortunately it’s not turned out the way we had hoped,” Mr McQuade said.

“The relaunch is a fresh start to get people in, supporting good people and jobs and keep people with food on the table and employed.

“We just want Hobart to embrace the space and enjoy it.

“The people that have been in have all said, ‘oh, that’s amazing, what an awesome experience, the booze menu is great and the cafe is brilliant.”

After opening in April, the nightclub was targeted by a series of allegations on social media, which forced the then owners to refute claims they had criminal convictions and say they have never been interviewed by police in relation to any matters.

Temple on Liverpool Street. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A $2m refurbishment transformed the 120-year-old building that was once home to the Salvation Army and Flamingos nightclub, popular with the LGBTIQIA+ community.

The previous owners are no longer involved in either the ownership or management of the venue with the building now owned by a law firm.

Mr McQuade addressed staff on Tuesday.

“We’ve had to stand down six staff and cut right back on the rest of the staffs’ hours with possible further cuts on the way,” he said.

Temple is set to open on April 5th in Liverpool Street at a site which has been Flamingos Dance Bar along with being used by The Salvation Army in the past. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Temple, he said, was the new owners’ dream.

“Dan had eight siblings and I grew up with a single mum in Glasgow and we’ve just both worked really hard our whole lives and we finally got money together and decided to do this.

“Unfortunately, the reality of it is, is that all that money that we’ve worked hard to put away could be gone.”

Mr McQuade and Mr Conway have extensive business experience in Hobart’s hospitality sector and have been doing workforce development work with the Tasmanian Hospitality Association since 2021.

Mr McQuade, who will shortly takeover as licensee, said that while it had been a challenging few months, he and Mr Conway were keen to start Temple afresh with a clean slate.

“Dan and I are keen to build Temple into Hobart’s venue of choice, whether you want to enjoy a sophisticated cocktail in our historic venue, or dance the night away to the best DJs and the best sound-system in the state”, he said.

“To celebrate our purchase of the venue, this weekend we’ll be offering two-for-one cocktails to relaunch Temple 2.0, between 9 and 11pm on both Friday and Saturday night.”

Temple Café will also be open from 11am-to late Wednesday to Saturday.

Originally published as Temple nightclub’s new owners’ plea to patrons