Known and celebrated throughout the land as one of the country's most dedicated live music venues, Brysons' reputation certainly precedes it. Ask any knowing musician or fan, and dare not to see a glint in their eye.

But limited by its size and stature, the old Bryson's set out to find a new purpose and one year on we find ourselves just days from its opening.

Ahead of its launch night this Friday, the MAIL was invited on a personal tour of the new building to sample the atmosphere that awaits, and from sweeping lounge bars to an intimate acoustic room, there may well be something to suit everyone.

"We'll be looking to combine the old with the new," says Niall Bryson, the bar's manager.

"We were quite limited before in what we could offer with just the front bar and lounge room at the back but now we've got so much more space to work with and it's allowed us to open new doors and try new things."

The first of those new things will see the iconic venue shoot up and out into multiple rooms on two levels while downstairs, a spacious and open plan lounge will continue to serve the food with which the venue has become synonymous.

Making your way upstairs you have the choice of the urban garden area with accompanying private bar or choose 'NB's' for your live entertainment needs.

A modest area, NB's will serve as an area for DJs (Radio K and Skibunny DJs are already lined up) and musicians alike to transform to their individual needs.

"We'll be able to use this area for multiple functions including bands and artists as well as DJs and with a specialised dance floor, we can tailor the area to suit almost anyone," said Niall.

But tucked away at the front of the building on the first floor is a little room that James Heaney, events manager, is already calling 'legendary'.

Capable of holding around 30/40 people and designed with the sole purpose of being an acoustic room with a difference, Heaney has already lined up a host of great talent.

"We have a few really good acts lined up - the lead singer from Spiral Carpets, Mark Geary, Josh Ritter and the likes of Robyn G Shiels. I think that room is going to be slightly legendary to be honest, it has great potential.

"I liken it to the Spirit Store in Dundalk. I plan to be able to put on showcase gigs in a really intimate setting under candlelight and generate a really special atmosphere."

Given its cosy setting, gigs will be relatively easy to set up and maintain, mostly with an unamplified theme.

"And I'm lucky to have a lot of great contacts from working in Belfast so I'm hopeful to be able to convince touring bands to come down to Magherafelt even for acoustic sets. If we can get that room set up well, I think there's going to be a really good atmosphere in there."

But as well as regular established musicians in their own right, Bryson's will always offer support to the local, unsigned acts needing a platform and a helping hand.

"Of course we have intentions of supporting local bands. This was one of the few places that you could play in when I was growing up, so if you take that away you're almost shooting yourself in the foot," says Heaney. "Ideally we would like to push for a monthly showcase of local music."

And it doesn't stop there. With promises of free live music every weekend including a Sunday residency from LaFaro frontman Jonny Black (weather permitting in the garden area), classic movie nights and themed quizzes; Bryson's won't be looking to simply slide back into its old groove.

And after investing £1.5m, it surely wouldn't be expected to do so.
"We think that there will be something to suit the needs of everyone," says Niall Bryson. "While trying to keep the regulars happy we're bringing the venue very much into line with modern standards that will appeal to many more. This is a very exciting time for us."

Bryson's will re-open to the public this Friday with an official opening planned for the beginning of July. Watch this space for news.