Tauranga's new nightclub Play opens at the end of the month in Harington Street. Formerly Harringtons, then Detroit, then Gasworks; Play will be R20 – and have the biggest sound and brightest lights in town.

Steve and Graeme at Play.

Play opens on October 30 at 7pm, with BOP FM broadcasting live until midnight,

'then we will just carry on with the DJ until 3am,” says owner Graeme Clarke.

'I imagine there's going to be a few upset 18 and 19 year olds, but the security on the door will deal with them politely, because they will be 20 at some stage.”

The decision to go R20 was made following market research.

'At last, somewhere the over 20s can come in and have a good time,” is the response they have been getting on the R20 decision.

Co-owner Steve Maudlin says the drinks at Play will follow through. There are no twist top RTDs. There are spirits. Beers on tap include Becks, Steinlager Super Cold, Mac's Sassy Red and Twisted – a Mac's lime and lager.

The interior is totally refitted. Graeme, Steve and the crew have spent three months stripping, sanding and resurfacing the floor, installing a new bar and beer system.

The roof line and exposed beams remain, but are repainted and the ceiling relined.

The sound system has 600w RMS QSC bins with 18” 1600w subs 'dotted around” the perimeter, and is computer controlled.

The lights; lasers, a moving head gobo, strobes, fog and smoke are also computer controlled.

'The DJs who have come in and looked at the place are just fizzing with excitement,” says Graeme.

The nightclub will be hosting a Halloween costume ball on Sunday night. Entry is free.

Regular nights will all be free entry. The only time they will be charging is for live bands and top DJs. Play will be a venue for the National Jazz Festival at Easter time.