NIGHTLIFE in Wangaratta is set for another shift in the second half of the year with the reopening of Murphy Street's Grand Central Hotel.

The 115-year-old venue, which closed to the public in late September in readiness for its first major renovation since 1994, has a new look which will be unveiled at its opening over King's Birthday weekend, on Saturday, 7 June.

Owner Steve Wilson said he had hoped to be able to reopen the venue by Christmas 2024, but coordination of trades - all locally based - had required the extra time.

With other CBD venues' weekend closing times ranging from midnight at Old Faithfulls and The Railyard, to 1am at The Pinsent Hotel and Wangaratta RSL and also at Greta Road's Old Town & Country Tavern, it has been a significant change to the late-night scene over the last eight months, which will switch back again when the Grand Central reopens until around 4am from this weekend.

Mr Wilson said he was looking forward to unveiling the results of the $600,000 renovation to locals, who have been regularly asking when the main street venue would reopen its doors.

"My son turns 18 in July, and all his friends are asking when it's opening, and I get asked by people multiple times a day; there is a lot of interest," he said.

"I'm looking forward to being able to offer something different which will also attract people from out of town.

"Speaking to other venue managers in Wangaratta as well, they are keen for us to be open again."

Mr Wilson said an altered layout would feature a cocktail bar to the right of the hotel's entry and the sports bar to the left continuing in its previous format, leading into a new-look nightclub area at the rear; the upstairs function room will also again be available for hire.

"The pub hadn't had a substantial renovation in 30 years, so we've pretty much redone the whole place," Mr Wilson said.

"I think it's important to offer something like this, in a controlled environment with security and CCTV, where everyone has to be scanned when coming in; sometimes you get a bit of pushback from older people about the IDU scans, but it's not just their age it's checking, it's also helping to stamp out anti-social behaviour."

Mr Wilson said patrons could be banned via the IDU identification-scanning software, which was used in venues across Australia.

"I've been doing this for so long - 30-plus years - and I know that when kids turn 18, they want to go out with their friends and make memories," Mr Wilson said.

"I hear older people who come into the Northo (Spearing Street's North Eastern Hotel, which Mr Wilson also owns) reminiscing about their younger years, and telling stories from around the time when I first started working at the Albion and before.

"That's what it's all about - making good times and memories for people, so one thing we're always going to be hard on is people who muck up; if you break stuff and cause damage, you won't be welcome back.

"In the centre of town with taxis out the front and security inside, I think the venue plays an important role in the social life of the community.

"It's important to all country towns to keep the culture of venues like this going.

"I'm Wangaratta born and bred, and I have a genuine interest in hotels and want to see them all thriving.

"It's an important thing for the community, giving young people a safe place to go out."

The Grand Central's cocktail bar will open at 6pm on Saturday, followed by the nightclub at 9pm, with the 600-capacity venue licensed until 5am.

"There used to be a bit of a culture of not going out until midnight, but it's going to be full before then; I'd encourage people to come early and avoid the lines," Mr Wilson said.

"I think everyone will want to come and have a sticky-beak; people are inquisitive, so they'll come for a look, and I think they will be impressed."

Following Saturday's opening, the venue is expected to open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in weeks to come.