The only dedicated nightclub in Queenstown has changed hands after nine years, but the new owner says he will keep its core dance music appeal plus encourage more live gigs.
Subculture was bought by formerly Wellington-based entrepreneur Jostan Murray on May 5.
He ushered in the new era by presenting hip-hop recording artist King Kapisi and dance act Nomad, followed by drum 'n' bass duo State of Mind and drum 'n' bass producer Eavesdrop the following month.
Previous owners Antonia Crowley, partner Simon "Downtown Brown" Hendl and her sister Michelle, also known as D-Jade, placed the club on the market a year ago when the couple started a family.
The new sole director of Subculture NZ Ltd said he wanted to keep the core music of what made the club unique, but he recognised the potential for widening the age range of clientele, opening up to the corporate market and booking more live bands, particularly Wakatipu acts.
"I was looking around for this sort of business for quite a while and the music scene was what attracted me to Subculture," Mr Murray said.
"I play for my dad's [music] on drums and vocals and I've done sound and light engineering over the past 10 years in Wellington.
"As a musician I know how difficult it is to get a space to play, so that's one thing on the list to accomplish."
He plans refurbishing the chill-out room, complete with its own bar, and the removal of seating from the dance floor to provide more room.
The soundproofed subterranean venue on Church St maintained its licence to operate seven days a week until 4am, he said.
