PERTH hospitality stalwarts Graham Hardie andBill Oddy have transformed Northbridge’s iconic nightspot Paramount.

In a dramatic $2 million makeover that took nine months to complete, the 18-year-old venue has been divided into two bars called Leopard Lady and Senor Peppers, both with dancefloors and live entertainment.

Leopard Lady, on the ground floor, features private booths clad in leopard print, faux fur-lined walls, leopard themed artwork and a new stage.

Señor Peppers, on the upper level, is a Mexican fiesta-themed bar adorned with colourful lanterns, murals, meerkats, cactuses and a giant macaw made from recycled buckets.

“This used to be a very big club and now it’s divided into small areas, which is what people want these days,” Hardie said.

“The dark hole with mirrors and carpet up the walls is all gone.

“Now people expect to be able to walk outside and have fresh air, plenty of open space and at the same they still like to enjoy dancing and atmosphere.”

Mr Hardie, a mining magnate and property tycoon, owns the buildings which house all his bars, clubs and restaurants including The Library in Northbridge, Tiger Lil’s Tavern in Perth, Empire Bar in Rivervale and South Perth restaurant and function centre Rambla on Swan.

Oddy, the group manager of Hardie’s company Entertainment Enterprises, has been his right- hand-man since 1979.

With the help of Brandon Cross, the designer who transformed Paramount almost two decades ago and Entertainment Enterprises CEO Hugh Brown, the bar is unrecognisable.

Mr Hardie’s large property portfolio has enabled him to adapt to the changing market.

“If you own all the freehold associated with the clubs and hotels it means you’re able to change and adapt when you want to, without having to go through rigmarole with your landlord,” Mr Hardie said.

“The advantage of having a building like this is we can entertain, whereas the smaller bars can’t.”

Mr Hardie said the transformation reflected the cultural change Northbridge had undergone in the past 10 years.

Leopard Lady and Senor Peppers will launch on Friday September 30 from 6pm.

It will open Friday and Saturday nights until late.