The Albert Hotel building in McCrae Street, which was home to Universal night club, is currently undergoing renovations.

New leaseholder Frankie Lagana said the late-night venue would maintain a modern pub feel rather than the darkened night club Bendigo residents would be familiar with.

The venue originally went on the market in June, 2018.

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"We are bringing it back to the heritage facade and making it look fresh," he said. "We have opened up the windows in there. Bendigo is a big university town, we want to tap into that a little and keep putting variety and fun into night life. It's going to be a really good space.

"With the size of the town and what's currently happening, there is a place for the style venue we operate. For (Bendigo's) population, the city is still limited in choices for dining and after-dining venues."

Mr Lagana said the venue will operate as a pop-up version of his other venture The Deck - which has venues in Ballarat, Echuca and Shepparton - to begin with. He said he had been eyeing a Bendigo venue for almost two years.

"One venue we looked was a bit small, and we were in talks with another before it fell through," he said.

"Universal had been up for lease for 18 months and we thought we should have a look at it and see what we can envision. It has a really big beer garden, which in the current climate and restrictions is good and the late-night licence is handy as well."

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Mr Lagana has been overseeing works in the venue for the past two months with work going into the second floor function area and beer garden.

He is also installing a commercial kitchen and gutting the ground floor.

"We got in there as soon as we signed the lease, so about eight weeks ago," he said.

"We've started at the top level to re-do the rooms and bring them back up to scratch. We have gutted the downstairs to give it a facelift. The place needed a bit of love.

"Most of the emphasis has got into the rear garden now with the seating requirements and outdoor dining.

"(With a) commercial kitchen being installed, we will offer a full pub menu. We're looking to be opened by early December."

Mr Lagana said he had been encouraged by the response from people when they heard his plans for the McCrae Street venue.

"I have had a lot of excited people call me," he said.