Is Mackay's social scene drying up completely?

It's the news no-one wanted to hear... top clubs close

GONE: Karma nightclub opened in 2010, replacing Platinum Lounge, but closed in 2014. Picture: Lee Constable

BACK in Mackay's "heyday", thousands would pack in to the city's nightclubs, often eight or more open at the one time.

Now, with the closure of three of the city's clubs, part of Mackay Grande Suites, the social scene is looking a little dry.

Gary Choy has been managing clubs in the region for almost three decades and used to own ZeBar, Gordi's, Envy and Mainstreet.

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He now runs The Palace Hotel, QBar and Birdcage Balcony Bar, and says there were a few reasons for the decline in nightlife in Mackay.

"The first is that there aren't that many people in town compared to say six years ago," Mr Choy said, with the mining boom being the peak of the social scene.

>> READ MORE: Creditors opt to sell top Mackay hotel, club, restaurant

"When I had Gordi's, Envy and ZeBar, we'd have about 12,000-15,000 people a night through the three. Now, if clubs are getting about 300 a night they'd think it's pretty good."

On March 23 developer John Cowley appointed voluntary administrators Ernst and Young to his Sinadel, Gundwane and Dambre businesses, which trade as Mackay Grande Suites, AM Bar and Grill, Movidas, Rabbit Hole, Dirty Martinis and Cactus Jacks.

Via Facebook Tuesday night, Movidas, Rabbit Hole and Dirty Martinis stated they were "closed until further notice".

"The problem with those nightclubs were (because they were inside and interconnected) it gave the impression that there was nobody in town," Mr Choy said.

"Whereas other nightclubs had the outdoors dining and there were more people on the street, people were running between them all."

The club manager believed Mackay's escalating drugs problem was also contributing to clubs doing it tough.

"Drugs and ice have been more prevalent in the last five years and people would rather stay home and get on it and then come into town hammered," Mr Choy said. "So they don't spend any money when they do come out and would also be causing fights."

He said with the three clubs closing down while administrators took over, it opened opportunities for others to step in, including himself.

"Rabbit Hole and Movidas in particular should be kept open; clubs are very difficult to run but someone with the right experience and attitude it'd do well," Mr Choy said.

"I may even be interested. It depends on rent and what they're offering. The Cowleys may even re-open."

Mr Choy said with three clubs closing, he is also looking into turning QBar into a nightclub to help with demand.

There have been a large number of nightclubs in Mackay, with a reunion coming up for the popular clubs Paradise Nights and Valentino's.

The reunion will be held Saturday, June 10 at 6pm at Mojos with some residents sharing memories and photos on its Facebook page.

Jen Armstrong remembers Suzy Quartro playing at Paradise Nights.

"Was so packed I climbed up on the mini bar pylon and hung on for dear life to have non interrupted views," she recalled. "In my imitation leather pants and jacket n Suzy Q tshirt! Haha she sung to me. Must have been in 1988/89."

Corinna Lucas remembered back in 1990 when "Michael Hutchence partied the night away after his Suicide Blonde concert".

John O'Neill shared this photo of a couple of stubbie coolers from Paradise and Valentino's nightclubs: "Many great nights partying and the odd DJ gig”

Nightclubs

Some of the nightclubs that have come and gone in Mackay over the years...

ZeBar, later Gordi's and Envy

Mainstreet

Kate O'Reilly's Irish bar (now the Palace Hotel/QBar/Birdcage Balcony)

Paradise Nights (later to become Doors Nightclub). Many years ago it was old Lambert's department store.

Valentines (where Cartel is now)

Blue Moose (later Mainstreet)

Karma and Platinum Lounge (upstairs of the former Australian Hotel on the corner of Wood and Victoria Sts)

Wilkinson's Hotel, with Wilkies and Showbar 140 (previously The Balcony, Rangoon Raquet Club and Below Rangoon)

Illusions in River St

Ace of Clubs

The Whitsunday Hotel

The Oriental Hotel

The Metropolitan Hotel

Pulse nightclub

Platinum Lounge

Doors nightclub

The Saloon Bar

Molloy's Irish Bar

The Penthouse

Toucans

Spotted Dick - at the Ambassador

Canecutters Bar - CC's

Do you remember others? Head to the Daily Mercury Facebook page to share your nightclub memories

Originally published as Is Mackay's social scene drying up completely?