An empty lot on Front Street is soon to become Hamilton’s newest gathering place for food, drink and entertainment.

Entrepreneur Tom Steinhoff said The Front Yard is set to open next week, offering up breakfast, lunch and dinner, a beer garden, a games area as well as art, and occasional live music and DJ sessions.

Mr Steinhoff has partnered with the operators of the popular Generosa’s food truck, which will be on site at 77 Front Street offering up its range of fare.

In addition, a pit master has been retained to fire up barbecue favourites like beef brisket and pulled pork.

Mr Steinhoff said the venue will be open seven days a week, beginning at 7am for “grab and go” coffee and breakfast, and will stay open as late as 3am on Saturday mornings.

He said The Front Yard will be a “casual, family-friendly outdoor spot offering up different food and a relaxed vibe for Front Street”.

Mr Steinhoff added: “We are very family-friendly, very pet-friendly, and we welcome cyclists who want to bring their bike in. We are a very welcoming place. We’re not going to chase anyone away.

“The majority will be outdoor dining, but we have shade and fans, and a covered terrace.”

Mr Steinhoff said The Front Yard is planning to incorporate work by local visual artists on site, and will also support musical artists.

He said: “We are trying to have a bit of fun. We are going to get artists to do pop art, wall murals. We haven’t got all the artists we want yet, but we are looking for artists interested in doing wall murals.

“We are talking to some live bands and entertainers; we would love to put on some live entertainment, and have the occasional DJ as well.”

Mr Steinhoff said he hopes to open The Front Yard “as soon as we can”.

He added: “Opening at the end of the month is our goal. We are pretty much there – we just need to tidy up and clean, dot the I’s and cross the T’s.

“I am very cautious about promising anything, but we hope to have a soft opening before the end of the month, and grow into ourselves.”

The lot at 77 Front Street housed Onion Jack’s tourist store, Chewstick Culture Hub and multiple businesses under the umbrella of Queen Management Services before a fire tore through the property in the early morning of July 21, 2016.

The premises were later completely levelled by construction crews.