Palm Cove rooftop bar fight: Double Island Tavern faces neighbourhood revolt

Another Palm Cove institution has come out swinging against plans to open a rooftop bar and tavern in the quiet beachside village.

ANOTHER Palm Cove institution has come out swinging against plans to open a rooftop bar and tavern in the quiet beachside village.

Neighbours of Sarayi Boutique Hotel are rallying against its plans to open Double Island Tavern – an open-air drinking establishment they fear will destroy the fabric of the relaxing tourism powerhouse.

The Reef House and Melaleuca resorts have led the charge but now another operator is speaking out.

Island Views holiday apartments owner Mike Newman feared Cairns locals were not appreciating the full fallout of the plan.

Reef House and Melaleuca Resort owners say their businesses will be destroyed if Sarayi is allowed to build a new tavern with rooftop bar. Picture: Supplied

“A lot of people think, wouldn’t it be great to have a sunset drink on the rooftop,” he said.

“They’re not thinking past that.

“They will go home after sunset at 6.30pm and won’t care, but it’s not just a quiet sunset drink we are talking about.

“The biggest thing isn’t even the music – it’s the voices that travel.

“They’re not thinking as if their family was renting an apartment and paying a whole lot of money for a family holiday.”

Island Views apartments in Palm Cove.

Sarayi owner Mark Biancotti started advertising the bar for an off-market sale in February 2020 after it received a provisional liquor licence.

The advertisement, which has since been removed, touted a rooftop bar capacity of 100-plus people.

Mr Biancotti has not responded to the Cairns Post but has previously stated he was not doing “anything outside the law” and only doing what Cairns Regional Council and the Office of Liquor and Gaming said he could do.

Reef House manager Wayne Harris at the neighbouring Melaleuca Hotel, showing how close the rooftop bar will be. Picture: Brian Cassey

Mr Newman said the Palm Cove Surf Club was the only other place with a rooftop function room, but its approvals mandated the construction of big concrete walls and baffling in the roof to reduce noise.

“We’ve got large apartments and people want to live on the balcony while we’re here,” he said.

“They are going to have to go inside, shut up, put the aircon on and hide from the noise.

“Liquor licensing are so tough in so many other areas so it’s just bizarre to me.”

The matter remains before the Queensland Civil and Administration Tribunal after an appeal over the liquor licence.

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Originally published as Palm Cove rooftop bar fight: Double Island Tavern faces neighbourhood revolt