Mid Air Closes After Less Than A Year, Prepares For Elevated Med Rebrand

Summer '24 hit venue Mid Air at HYDE Melbourne Place has shaken its final cocktail, closing 10 months after it opened.

The bar and restaurant, which opened just last November, andofficially closed on 14 September, will make way for a complete overhaul to Cleo, an Eastern Mediterranean restaurant, set to open in December.

Gone is the modern lounge concept and its table service-only model. In its place, Cleo is promising a philosophy of warmth and generosity. The redesign will trade its previous aesthetic for warm tones and long communal tables, creating an inviting atmosphere dedicated to sharing dishes inspired by old-world Mediterranean cooking techniques and bold, seasonal flavours. 

In May, the hotel was rebranded as HYDE Melbourne Place, a lifestyle subsidiary part of the Ennismore Hotels—which is owned by Accor. The transformation, one of the first major initiatives since the hotel's acquisition by the global hospitality giant, represents a significant pivot.

"Now that HYDE Melbourne Place is part of the Ennismore portfolio, the property is evolving in line with our global vision," general manager Jodi Brown says.

"Through our international network, we’re able to draw on global expertise and creativity to reimagine the rooftop space. Cleo represents the next chapter—an elevated concept designed to bring something fresh and exciting to Melbourne’s dining scene while making the most of the rooftop’s unique setting."

She added Cleo will celebrate “the warmth and conviviality of Mediterranean-style hospitality with the creative and cultural spirit of Melbourne in mind.” 

This move towards a food-focused, experience-driven offering aligns more closely with Melbourne sensibilities, whereas the original venue—set to be the hit of summer ‘24—was met with mixed reviews due to long wait times and difficulties ordering.

Ennismore will bring their signature Carte Blanched concept, a high-end hospitality concept agency, according to its director of brand operations, Carmen Tomasic.

“Melbourne's dining scene is thriving and constantly evolving—and we are so excited to be part of that with the launch of our first signature concept by Carte Blanched, right in the heart of it all,” she said.

Come December, Cleo will have the opportunity to relive that heady first summer, aiming to become an unmissable destination for Melburnians seeking a taste of some Mediterranean high above the city streets.

Watch this space for the full opening deets.

Main Image Credit: Mid Air | Supplied