Gold Coast bars want to dance, dump COVID-19 patron limits
BAR bosses say bring back dancing and drop clamps on patron numbers – or queues are going to be “bedlam” outside bars.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
GLITTER Strip nightspots say “everyone is itching for a boogie” and clamps on dancing and patron numbers should be dumped or queues to get in will be “bedlam”.
But the COVID-19 clamps remain in place for now and the State Government has not indicated when they might be lifted.
As of Friday 4pm, the government axed the no standing rule. A range of other restrictions are scheduled to lift by December but dancing and existing patron limits are not mentioned in an updated Roadmap to Easing Restrictions.
The Avenue owner Michael Russo said he hoped restrictions eased further soon “just so everything is a bit more logical”.
“It’s exciting the border is opening to NSW from November 1 but there is no sign of indoor capacity at bars and restaurants increasing. This is a concern for me,” he said.
“At the moment we have a 50-metre line out the door most nights. Imagine when we get an influx of people from interstate – it’s going to be bedlam.
“We are still at 100 but if we could be like NSW and have 50 per cent capacity, that would be amazing. That would mean we could have over 200 people.
“I also hope we can dance soon.”
But Mr Russo said saying goodbye to the “sitting rule” was the best news of the year and Friday was a night to remember.
“The announcement was a big surprise and we all couldn’t wipe the smile off our faces when we heard,” he said.
“Punters were instantly happier and the energy in the room has changed.
“Everyone was getting a bit sick of sitting down and we hated being the fun police and telling everyone to sit down every two seconds.
“We still have to work in with the restrictions but we are excited for a little bit more freedom.”
Bree Maloney, event manager with White Rhino at Surfers Paradise, said she was praying dancing restrictions would ease soon.
“Everyone is itching for a boogie and it’s a hard one to patrol,” she said.
However, Ms Maloney also welcomed the lifting of restrictions on standing while eating and drinking and said the venue was ready to party.
“This news was perfect timing and we are beyond happy,” she said.
“I can tell people are itching to boogie but standing and drinking a few fabulous cocktails is pretty fun too.”
The Glitter Strip was quite busy over the weekend and operators and punters popped champagne to celebrate eating, drinking and standing in venues.
Surfer Paradise’s Karin Driessen, 55, hit the Glitter Strip on Saturday afternoon.
“We were so excited, it’s been way too long between drinks at the bar,” she said.
“It’s starting to feel normal, but it’s hard standing and not dancing when the music is good.”
The Palaszczuk Government has been asked when dancing and capacity restrictions would be lifted and why the restrictions are important when Queensland has six active COVID-19 cases.
The government has also been asked whether the restrictions would be in place beyond 2020 and what needs to happen for the measures to be lifted.
A reply is still to come.
Originally published as Gold Coast bars want to dance, dump COVID-19 patron limits