By Madeline Woolway.

After almost two decades of operation Sydney venues Bungalow 8 and Cargo Bar are set for major makeovers.

Dixon Hospitality added the venues to its portfolio earlier this year along with Manly Wine, The Rook, The Winery, Kingsleys Woolloomooloo, Kingsleys Brisbane, after the collapse of previous owner Keystone Group in mid-2016.

According to Dixon Hospitality’s NSW area manager, Michael Ternes, Bungalow 8 and Cargo Bar provided a great opportunity to expand further in the Sydney market,

“They’re iconic venues with a great history and loyal customer base and in turn a welcome addition to the Dixon Hospitality portfolio,” Ternes told fellow Intermedia title, Hospitality Magazine.

“Dixon Hospitality has exciting growth plans nationally, large venues like Cargo and Bungalow 8 certainly align well with that plan.

“Both venues are in need of an update and we plan to deliver a fresh and exciting new concept for the customers who have been coming week after week.  They deserve something new! Our regulars are really nostalgic about all the great celebrations they had at these venues over the years, we want to keep all of that history however, it’s time to step it up and deliver something bigger and better!”

Not only are the venues set to get a visual makeover, the food and beverage offerings will be revamped too.

“Food and beverage are the cornerstone to any of our concepts. Both Bungalow 8 and Cargo are in menu development currently,” says Ternes.

Ternes says details about the renovations and menu development will be released closer to spring. Both venues will host closing parties this weekend, Saturday 12 August.

In July, it was announced that global investment firm KKR will pay $190 million for a majority stake in the fast-growing Dixon Hospitality group, which now has 48 venues across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.