When Pawn & Co. opened in South Yarra in 2013, it was a one-of-a-kind proposition – a pawn-shop nightclub where everything is for sale at all times. It had a 1920s New Orleans theme, shelves filled with an assortment of pre-loved treasures, inventive cocktails and energetic vibes. It was a mould-breaking joint for its time – one that Forbes listed as one of the five most dazzling new bars across the globe.

“We spent very little money on it,” recalls co-owner Josh Lefers, with a chuckle. “It was all bric-a-brac – we had banged-up trumpets, a ride-on lawn mower. Maybe you bought a painting of Kramer from Seinfeld. We created a fun way in which people could do something different in the club.”

This point of difference has helped Pawn & Co. endure for more than a decade, remaining an off-the-wall alternative even after relocating to new steampunk-themed digs in Prahran around 2017. Over time, Josh and business partner Stephen Wools expanded their hospitality endeavours, immersing themselves deeper into the realm of experiential entertainment and broadening their portfolio with their adult playground concept Ballers Clubhouse, which launched in 2020 and now boasts two locations in Melbourne and one in Adelaide.

Last year, while on a trip to Brisbane to find a new location for the Ballers brand, Stephen and Josh inspected the site previously home to Fortitude Valley nightlife icon Laruche in Bakery Lane off Ann Street. The slender two-level venue proved to be too small for Ballers, but it was perfect for Pawn & Co., which the duo believed was ready for reinvention.

“Over the years, we sort of neglected the heritage of [Pawn & Co.],” Josh says. “So we were like, ‘Hey, this is such a wonderful concept – let’s go again’. We thought to move the Pawn & Co concept into a modern setting where it could play more with the retail idea and really go after the buy-sell-loan vibe, with a focus on more luxury pre-loved goods. We wanted to reinvigorate it and put steroids in it, really.” 

Over the past nine months, the Pawn & Co. Brisbane team – which also includes co-owners Steve Thomas and Alex Docherty – has undertaken a painstaking $4-million refurbishment of the Laruche space alongside fit-out specialists Lowry Group, transforming it into a multidimensional (and multi-hued) party palace. When it came to modernising the Pawn & Co. concept, the team has focused on elevating and enhancing some key areas – aesthetics, interactivity and opulence being chief among them. Josh and Stephen have run point on the venue’s design, crafting a vividly maximal interior look that’s unlike anything else in Brisbane.

“We always end up doing big pop concepts,” says Josh. “Steve and I really wanted to build a stunning, elegant venue that had those big experience moments, where every single element is something you can interact with. The vision we had was a 1950s version of the future – Bakelite, orange and blues, and a nostalgic future feel. That was sort of where we wanted to arrive.”

Guests enter off Ann Street and are immediately immersed in colour-soaked surroundings – part late-night parlour, part high-end hockshop and part space-age disco. To the immediate right of the entry sits Pawn & Co.’s working in-house perfumery, a moody nook where groups (think hens parties and corporate outings) can book in to craft their own signature scent or sample those produced by their favourite brands and celebs.

“People are actually participating in a shared experience with a retail product that comes out of that,” explains Josh. “Really, it’s about creating an experience that you can book in for – being able to participate in an activity beyond what they’d usually get from a club or a bar.” 

Beyond the perfumery sits the DJ booth (equipped with an oversized gramophone) and the bar, which has been fashioned out of reclaimed pianos and is backed by Laruche’s iconic oval-shaped mirrored back bar. On the opposite wall sits a bank of arch-shaped Barbie boxes large enough for dancers and performers, while in the corner sits an orange-hued banquette from which revellers can hold court.

Upstairs, guests will find the Parlour – an art-deco inspired piano bar boasting a groovy retro scheme, timber display cabinets, mesmerising ceiling lights and cleverly incorporated furniture that slots into the walls. This is also where you’ll find the Vault, a private room perfect for intimate functions.

The majority of Pawn & Co.’s wall space has been converted into display cabinetry of various forms and sizes, with each locker housing a pre-loved item. The diverse wares have been obtained from a myriad of sources, with Pawn & Co. teaming up with other local businesses and brands to secure many high-end items on consignment. Rolex watches, instruments, designer handbags (often containing an extra mystery item) and cars (yep, Pawn & Co. is hawking a Bentley on behalf of Michael Anthony Luxury Cars) are available for purchase, with QR codes affixed to each item to give guests a history of each object.

“We’re looking for things on the menu that have got a great story – that quintessential pawn story – behind them,” says Josh. “We’ll have a certain amount of stuff available from other pawn shops in the area. There’s going to be so many partnerships as we go, it’s sort of endless.”

When it comes to drinks, Pawn & Co. is continuing to make high-concept cocktails a specialty. Here, the interactive element has been ratcheted up a few notches, with the bar team drawing upon the in-house perfumery to create a menu of signature concoctions inspired by famous perfumes. Each sip boasts a flourish – be it through the use of flame, smoke or bubbles – that heightens the drinking experience.

“You’ve got your beers and your wine, and then you’ve got your spirits and you have your classic cocktails,” says Josh. “Then you have this perfume cocktail experience, where the drinks are inspired by iconic perfumes. There’s this theatrical delivery – it’s more than just a cocktail that gets served to you, there’s an interactive element to it that’s done in an elegant way.”

Though conceptually adventurous, at its core Pawn & Co. is envisioned as a nightspot that’s accessible to all. While everything is for sale, including the business itself, you don’t have to drop a packet on a vintage piece to have a good time. With great house music, a considered drinks list and an electric atmosphere, Josh believes the venue could quickly become a popular spot for a broad range of demographics.

“If everybody can feel comfortable in this environment, that’s really what we’re going for,” says Josh, “We’re really focused on people’s experience and, ultimately, that’s what we’re doing here. We’re creating a new way for people to have an adventure on a night out. That’s the focus of Pawn & Co.”

Pawn & Co. officially launches to the public on Friday August 9. Head to the Stumble Guide for more important info.