Howl at the Moon owners shut nightclub after 13-years

IT was a Glitter Strip institution — but a disastrous move from Broadbeach to Surfers Paradise riverside has seen it shut its door.

THE party is over for owners of Glitter Strip institution Howl at the Moon, who have closed the doors after a nightmare six months.

Co-owners Lou Cerantonio and Mario Zulli were yesterday gutting their Surfers Paradise riverside venue.

Howl thrived for 10 years in Broadbeach’s Niecon Plaza but — claiming their landlord wouldn’t renew their lease — they relocated to the Surfers riverfront in mid-2014.

Howl’s last day of trading was three weeks ago, followed days later by the landlord locking them out, they said.

FUNNIEST MOMENT AT HOWL AT THE MOON

Howl at the Moon nightclub and eatery owner Lou Cerantonio yesterday — he was helping removalists gut his venue of 13 years, having shut the doors at Surfers Paradise riverfront several weeks ago.

It caps a rough run for them — Mr Zulli, 50, had a heart attack in May, while Mr Cerantonio is mourning the recent death of a mentor and man he considered his second father, legendary American entertainer Jerry Lewis.

Howl at Moon owners Lou Cerantonio and Mario Zulli have shut its doors, two years after relocating their once-thriving venue from central Broadbeach to the Surfers Paradise riverside. Picture by Scott Fletcher

“It’s been a great year,” Mr Cerantonio said with a wry laugh while helping workers pack up a removal truck.

The pair had “taken a bath” on the venue lately, he said.

“We knew it was going to happen,” Mr Cerantonio said of the lockout. “That is why we stopped trading.”

Howl at the Moon proprietors Lou Cerantonio and Mario Zulli

He wouldn’t elaborate on why they were locked out.

Landlord Tiki Village International were unavailable to respond by deadline.

Mr Cerantonio (left) and Mr Zulli at the opening of their Howl at the Moon piano bar and club in Broadbeach back in 2004.

The Gold Coast Bulletin previously reported the pair’s plans to sell Howl back in May. At about the same time Tiki Village International revealed the riverfront site including 4598sq m of freehold waterfront land would be put up for tender.

CBRE property agent Lachlan Harris, who ran the original Tiki Village tender, said yesterday it had not sold and remained on the market.

Mr Cerantonio said he believed a number of factors contributed to the demise of his once-popular venue — including their own mistakes.

Howl at the Moon co-owner Lou Cerantonio on the demise of the once-popular venue: “Partly it is our fault — we made the wrong call bringing Howl here.” Picture: Richard Gosling

He blamed “slow" redevelopment of the riverside, which he had believed Gold Coast City Council would make into the city’s South Bank. No zebra crossing across Gold Coast Highway from the end of Cavill Avenue also didn’t help.

“Partly it is our fault — we made the wrong call bringing Howl here,” he said.

Mr Cerantonio helping removalists yesterday.

Mr Cerantonio, ex-entertainment manager for Melbourne’s Crown complex, has shared a close bond with Lewis — a Hollywood walk of famer who raised millions for muscular dystrophy charities — since booking him 20 years ago for sold-out Crown shows.

He attended his US funeral six weeks ago and was philosophical about Howl’s closure.

“Life goes on. That’s one thing I learned with Jerry and meeting muscular dystrophy kids, including some on life support. I have problems? I don’t think so,” Mr Cerantonio said.

“I’m not in a wheelchair, I’m not on life support, I’m OK.

Oscar winner and Hollywood Walk of Famer Jerry Lewis, with Gold Coast couple Lou Cerantonio and Kirsty Strowger at his home in the US — Mr Lewis, who passed away six weeks ago, and Mr Cerantonio were close friends for 20 years, with Mr Cerantonio considering him a mentor and father figure.

“We gave it our best shot.”

Mr Zulli, who had a stent in after his heart attack, said he felt most sorry for their 14 staff including some who had been with them from the beginning.

When Howl first opened, it had dancing waiters, duelling twin pianos and was pumping, with appearances from celebs including Paris Hilton.

Howl co-owners Lou Cerantonio and Mario Zulli back in 2005 — Mr Zulli recalled yesterday: “It was great fun in Broadbeach when there wasn’t as many restrictions.” Picture: Christine/Tobia

“It was great fun in Broadbeach when there wasn’t as many restrictions,” he said.

Surfers riverside was “some of the most wasted real estate” in the city, Mr Zulli added.

Gold Coast Waterways Authority and council have a joint plan for redeveloping the area and $1.2m has been spent so far, including large concrete slab steps and pontoons.

Waterways Authority CEO Hal Morris admitted back in May it was progressing when funding became available.

PARTY OVER

Early 2004: Howl at the Moon opens in Broadbeach;

Mid-2014: Co-owners spend $1m relocating to the Surfers Paradise riverside, claiming their Broadbeach landlord gave no lease certainty;

Sept 19, 2017: Howl shuts;

Yesterday: Howl co-owners gutting their premises.