Gold Coast night life: Value of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and live music revealed

The Gold Coast has Australia’s third largest night economy, with new data revealing the surprise money-spinner and why it means the light rail must be extended.

The Gold Coast has Australia’s third largest night economy, with new data revealing restaurants and live music are helping to inject more than $4.1bn into our city.

The data, compiled by the Gold Coast City Council, reveals the size and scope of the sector, with council officers saying it builds a case to support extending the light rail and creating more live music and entertainment venues.

The sector employs 36,755 people across 3667 establishments, according to the council report and is “progressively leaning towards entertainment”.

The Gold Coast enjoys a booming night-life. Picture: Mike Batterham

Mayor Tom Tate said the night time economy was “vital” to the city’s future.

“Beyond our daytime offerings and attractions, the Gold Coast has its own distinct and vibrant personality at night because bars, restaurants, and live music aren’t just businesses; they’re essential components of a city that thrives after dark,” he said.

“As Australia’s third largest night time economy, our goal is to become a ‘live music city’ with world-class venues like an indoor entertainment arena and town hall to showcase global and local talents.

“We’re already seeing major international acts choose to perform here. We’ve hosted Harry Styles, Sir Paul McCartney – and now Blondie and Alice Cooper will be gracing the stage at Doug Jennings Park in April. It highlights the need for strong transport links to connect our night time precincts, enabling locals and visitors to easily enjoy the entertainment on offer across the city as well as our buzzing restaurant and bar scenes.”

Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Glenn Campbell

 The report reveals alcohol sales and bars actually make up just a fraction of this economic incoming, charting at less than 7 per cent and as low as 4 per cent across various metrics including the number of venues, biggest employers and actual turnover.

It notes restaurants and food make up for between 55 and 64 per cent of the market across those same metrics.

Inside view of the planned Town Hall-style entertainment centre at the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre site.

The report argues that the council must elevate the arts and culture scenes, as well as “seizing opportunities around stadiums” and “connecting night-time precincts with the light rail’.

It also urges greater planning and investment into live music to “become a catalyst for growth on the Gold Coast, fostering dedicated venues and new business avenues.

Laura Younger. Photo: Regi Varghese

Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Laura Younger said she was “not surprised” by the data.

She said it was critical to have greater connectivity between venues and night precincts.

“When you look at the breakdown, it is not surprising we have such a high return from our night time venue and we know the council is pushing hard on culture so the more live venues we have on the Gold Coast, the better it will be,” she said.

“When you look at the music hall concept the council wants to do, it would be amazing and perhaps the council needs to look at incentives for venues which possess the licenses to use them.”