Iconic Brisbane nightclub owners beat "brutal" late trading laws, pour into daytime dining

The owners of classic Brisbane nightclub spots The Met and GPO will soon open their second restaurant as part of a diversification into the gastro-pub hospitality space.

As a sign of the times in a city that has seen its nightlife joy "smashed" by rigid ID scanning laws, earlier last drinks and the banning of straight spirits, Revelry Entertainment changed its name this year with plans to launch food and beverage venues in central historic locations.

As a combination of their wives' names 'Cecilia' and 'Melissa', co-founders Trent Meade (pictured right) and Matt Blyth (pictured left) decided on the new name 'Celissa'
"They've been enormous supporters of ours. The last seven years have been big and we've been growing - they've given us our families, and our core values as a company are all key attributes of theirs," says Meade.

A very romantic gesture indeed, and one that followed a sobering decision in a challenging environment that likely accelerated plans for expansion.

"The Met and the GPO. Regardless of whether you love them or hate them, everyone knows them. They're institutions in Brisbane," says Meade, who along with Blyth recently won the Brisbane Young Entrepreneur Award 2018 in the Hospitality, Tourism & Events category. Read more
Paris Faint and Matt Ogg - Business News Australia - 28 September 2018