New karaoke bar proposed for Hobart

Hobart’s growing Asian student population has prompted the second proposal in a matter of months for a karaoke bar in the city.

HOBART’S growing Asian student population has prompted the second proposal in a matter of months for a karaoke bar in the city.

While an old concept, there are no dedicated karaoke bars in Hobart — a gap in the market identified now by two different companies.

The top floor of the former Unions Tasmania building next to the historic State Cinema in North Hobart has been leased to Chinese businessman Kevin Meng who has lodged a development application with the Hobart City Council for a karaoke bar.

Mr Meng said the business would include 13 rooms, one of which would be for VIPs.

“We’re from Brisbane and in September last year we were new to Hobart and did some market research,” he said.

“Our target market, the Asian population, is growing in Tasmania in recent years. We’re bringing the karaoke experience from Brisbane to Hobart and Elizabeth St is where people hang out at night.”

Kevin Meng is hoping to put a karaoke bar in North Hobart next to the State Cinema. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Building owner and State Cinema owner John Kelly said the karaoke bar would fit in nicely in the precinct.

“They are big business and extremely popular in Melbourne and Sydney,” he said.

“I think it’s going to bring some good cultural diversity to North Hobart and it will further cement its reputation as an entertainment precinct not just a restaurant strip.”

Mr Kelly said he had leased out the space as the redevelopment of the 106-year-old cinema was almost complete.

“The great construction era as I call it, of the last 15 years, is pretty much done,” he said. “We’ve built the cinemas we need, we’ve got the rooftop cinema, moved the bookstore into an expanded space and the new bar with all premium Tasmanian produce.

“We just want to go right through the whole place now and tidy up. This year the LED screens will hopefully go up [on the new glass tower].”

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Friends Baiwen Su, Yizhou Wang and Yinguan Liu are hoping to open a karaoke bar in Soundys Lane. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

The second karaoke bar proposed for Hobart is the brainchild of international students Baiwen Su, Yizhou Wang and Yinghuan Liu who plan to open G9 Bar & Karaoke at Soundys Lane between Elizabeth St and Wellington Court.

Mr Liu said today that renovation of the basement building, formerly home to a Salvation Army store, had begun and an access issue is currently being worked through with the council.

He said it was hoped the business would be up and running in May.