We have to admit this story passed us by when it originally ran on heraldsun.com.au last week. It took this thread in the ITM forums for our interest to be piqued, and we’re very glad we took the time to check it out. Indeed, it’s one for the ‘WTF’ files if ever we saw it!

Many of inthemix’s readers will be familiar with troubled Melbourne superclub Queensbridge (aka QBH). Over the past few years it has been the location of several horribly violent incidents, including two murders – one inside the club in 2008, and another on the footpath outside in 2007 – while just a few months ago it was the setting of a massive brawl that saw 13 people injured.

Not surprisingly, the venue has been the source of much scrutiny in the media and with authorities as a result. Now, in an effort to look towards the future, the club’s manager Dan Viney has told the Herald Sun they decided to call upon a psychic to ‘banish evil spirits’ inside the venue. In fact the Herald Sun reports that a total of five evil spirits were found on the site.

“Five negative spirits were found,” Queensbridge’s nightclub consultant Glen Coburn told the Herald Sun. “Our spiritual adviser is doing all she can to clear them. But spirituality is only one aspect of what we are doing to cleanse the environment.” What else do they have on the drawing board? A new name, Embassy, and reportedly $1 million in renovations and rebranding.

Interestingly, the course of action was given the all-clear right from the top, with Brian Mathieson of Queensbridge’s parent company the ALH Group explaining that their rather bizarre strategy was part of an overall strategy. “It’s due, to a clear determination, to not leave any stone unturned in the pursuit of offering and delivering a safe, happy and convivial environment,” he explained. “And, hopefully, it works.”