Bermuda’s newest nightclub has an “old school” name, and an updated version of the go-go girls from the 1970s nightclub scene.

But it may be another sign that Bermuda businesses have confidence in an impending economic recovery.

The club’s owners are certainly anticipating an improving market and an uptick in visitor numbers and well-heeled investors.

MEF Ltd opens The Club on Friday night at 12 Bermudiana Road, featuring three DJs and a mature crowd concept. MEF is the owner of Little Venice, La Trattoria and L’Oriental restaurants.

The new club creates 11 new local jobs and takes its name from the popular late night spot that MEF operated for many years from upstairs of their Little Venice restaurant — the current location of their L’Oriental restaurant.

MEF director Emilio Barbieri said: “There is a good feeling for the future of the economy. It will take some time. We have to attract more people to the Island and more investors. That’s our challenge over the next couple of years, to attract investors.

“Everyone understands that we have to work together. It is not like it used to be some years ago. We all have to pull together. But I think we will get there.”

Opening on the site of the former Ferrari Bar and the Margarita Grill, two short lived nightspots, Mr Barbieri feels the time is right to try again.

He said: “We’re not giving up yet. We have invested quite some money into the place and it makes no sense stopping now. People are telling us that there is a need for something more.

“There has to be something for the mature crowd. There are some places in Bermuda, but they are not for everyone. There seems to be a demand for something else, something after dinner. We have a comfortable place for friends to meet, a place to relax with more mature music. I assume that most of the business will be on the weekend in the beginning, so we are gearing for that.

“But I think there will also be a demand from a late afternoon crowd, just not in the beginning. We may be able to introduce that later on. We have to do this one step at a time.

“We have a DJ in from Europe for the opening days. He will help our Bermudian DJs open the place for the first week or so.”

Turn to page 26 and 27 for more.