Formerly known as Rhino’s, the Blue Line Night Club is planning to bring a new atmosphere to downtown Bloomington.

Located at 602 North Main St., the bar is being renovated into a different type of club.

The renovations started in December 2009.

Bloomington Planning and Zoning Division member Mark Willard said, “The money for the renovations is coming from the Harriett Fuller Rust Facade grant.

“The grant is for renovations to encourage, preserve and restore historical features,” Willard said.

The main purpose of the renovations is to bring more of a classy feeling to the local area and bar.Jessica Genualdi / Daily Vidette Senior Staff: Rhino’s, a popular bar in downtown Bloomington, is currently undergoing renovations to become the Blue Line Night Club.

Blue Line Night Club owner Jack Bataoel said, “We are still attracting the same college crowd.”

The bar was completely stripped and gutted and lounges, tables, windows, chairs and bathrooms were added and renovated. Additionally the dance floor was renovated.

The front of the building was hard to fix up due to the freezing weather outside, so there has been little change to the entrance.

More renovations for the front of the building are planned for the spring.

The ceiling has not been updated since the main building was built.

Bataoel and his business partner, Andrew Kelly, have owned Rhino’s bar for seven years.

“The name Blue Line comes from three things,” Bataoel said. “The other manager of the bar is a big hockey fan and the name is related to the blue line on the rink.

“The second reason we came up with the name is because I grew up in Chicago riding the blue line, also known as the El or the Loop.

“Then the last reason is relating to the blue line in law enforcement,” Bataoel said.

The bar has taken on a Chicago-style now.

The club’s Web site said, “Blue Line Night Club radiates the energy of big city nightlife.

“It is a classy, upscale venue decorated in monochromatic blues, with a huge glowing bar, four V.I.P lounges and eight plasma televisions throughout.”

Blue Line Night Club also has a laid-back feel mostly due to the friendly staff and fresh atmosphere.

Small parties to large corporate events can be planned and held there.

Starting Feb. 17, the Blue Line Night Club opens for private parties and V.I.P.s only.

The grand opening of the club to the public is planned for Feb. 25.