If there's been a cheap pizza-shaped hole in your heart since that day a fire forced Fitzroy institution Bimbo Deluxe to close its doors in May last year, you can finally breathe easy. The home of $4 pizzas and late-night dance floor sessions is ready and raring for a comeback, with Bimbo 2.0 set to open next Wednesday, May 22.
After a year-long hiatus, the reborn Brunswick Street venue is dropping Deluxe from its name and, from here on in, will simply be known as Bimbo. And, before you ask — yes, those wallet-friendly $4 pizza deals will be sticking around, though you'll find the wider menu has been revamped alongside a brand new program of music, drinks and after-hours shenanigans.
A makeover from designer Rabindra Naidoo — including new booth seating — will no doubt make the place feel refreshed, as will a swag of new large-scale artworks featured throughout. Pieces from the likes of Elliot Routledge and L.A's Kristen Liu Wong feature on the walls, as well as a big mural from Celeste Mountjoy (aka Filthy Ratbag), whose work graced the walls of the OG Bimbo.
Colonial Leisure Group – which owns the venue along with sister venue Lucky Coq, Brunswick's Penny Black and Half Moon in Brighton — has also hit refresh on the weekly events calendar, with a new offering that includes a bunch of drink specials (details TBC), acoustic sessions each Tuesday, Wednesday night trivia and an all-local gig lineup on Fridays. Legendary queer club Poof Doof is also coming to play, with weekly collaboration Queer Deluxe happening from June onwards. This one will feature a colourful program of DJ sets and performances from some of the city's top queer talent.
The new-look Bimbo will open on Wednesday, May 22 at 376 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.