And so too is the nightspot’s questionable reputation, according to the new managers.

Now known as The Front Bar, the hotel has undergone a vast makeover and will aim to attract more of an up-market crowd than before.

The dance floor and beer garden at the rear no longer exist – they are now part of the building site for the construction of the adjoining Rebellion Brewery.

Manager Gary Morris said he was planning to appeal to a more sophisticated crowd, with no particular age group in mind.

“The reputation has been fairly bad up until now,” he said.

“We want to bring in the middle-market to upper-market sort of crowd.”

Along with his two fellow managers, who have also overseen the redevelopment of the Unicorn Hotel, Mr Morris hopes to fill what he describes as a “gap in the Ballarat market”.

In addition to opening up the downstairs area, the rarely used upstairs room will become a permanent fixture.

Live bands and DJs will still perform, with the venue to also continue jam sessions upstairs.

Local artworks adorn the entire venue, with managers hoping to add a better vibe to the hotel.

“It can be hard to change a reputation but we are hoping this is a start,” said Mr Morris.

It is planned that the hotel will be connected internally to the brewery by the end of the year.