LIST: Dozens of venues opening and expanding on the Gold Coast
Dozens of venues are looking to open or expand as the Gold Coast emerges from the coronavirus pandemic. SEE THE FULL LIST.
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DOZENS of venues are looking to open or expand as the Gold Coast emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.
The latest data from the Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming shows 13 new liquor or gaming licences have been granted since May.
For one Gold Coast entrepreneur, the COVID-19 restrictions have meant a longer wait to realise a lifelong dream of opening a club in Surfers Paradise.
Matty Turner, the 23-year-old founder of Bikini Barber Babes, secured a liquor licence for a his new rhythm and blues (RnB) venue Empire Night Club & Cocktail Lounge. It will be located in the front section of the former Shooters club on Orchid Ave.
Mr Turner said he was excited to welcome patrons once dancing was allowed again.
“It will have a focus on the RnB, and on the patron experience,” he said.
Originally from Townsville, Mr Turner said opening a club on the Gold Coast had always been his plan.
“I had a dream and have chased it since I have been here. I am now so close.”
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Local promoter Mark James, who ran last year’s Circus Paradise and been involved with popular music festivals such as Future Music, will also launch a venue on the Glitter Strip.
Mr James said he would also be opening an “alternative” nightclub called Arcade on Orchid Ave in August.
“It will be at the Top of the Mark on Orchid Ave,” Mr James said.
“We’re gutting (the space) and starting it from scratch.
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“We’re completely redesigning it, refitting it, (putting in) new audio, lighting set up.
“I will have a bit of an underground feel. The venue will be designed more of a lounge-y bar – grungy meets indie … It’s more of an alternative look for the strip.
“I think everything else on the strip is kind of commercial. There’s nothing wrong with that, but we wanted to do something totally different.”
Mr James is hoping to have Arcade opened by the first week of September.
“We’ve been looking for a venue for a fair while, even before COVID.
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“It’s good for Surfers. Anything is good for Surfers as long as you can maintain it and bring people in.
“It (will be) dedicated to house and tech music,” he said.
“We’re incorporating live electronic bands, getting lots of international DJs and local DJs.”
Vinnies Dive, a popular music venue in Southport, expanded its beer garden and was granted a licence for the area last month.
Gaming venues also upgraded over the same period.
The Cecil Hotel on Nerang Street, Southport, gained approval for 35 gaming machines and the Broadbeach Tavern secured 45.
Surfers Paradise Tavern and Pimpama Central Tavern are seeking approval for 45 gaming machines.
FULL LIST OF NEW LIQUOR AND GAMING LICENCES
Empire Nightclub RNB & Cocktail Lounge
Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise
Liquor Licence: Nightclub
Vinnies Dive
Nerang St, Southport
Liquor licence: Subsidiary
Cecil Hotel
Nerang St, Southport
Gaming licence: 35 machines
See Thai
Como Crescent Southport
Liquor licence: Subsidiary
Pretty Handsome
Christine Ave, Burleigh Heads
Liquor licence: Subsidiary
Some Wine Store
Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
Liquor Licence: Wine Merchant
Pizza Hut Pimpama
Dixon Drive, Pimpama
Liquor Licence: Subsidiary
Broadbeach Tavern
Charles Ave, Broadbeach
Gaming Licence: 45 machines
The Lucky Squire
Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
Liquor Licence: Commercial Hotel
James Squire Broadbeach
Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
Liquor Licence: Producer/Wholesaler
The Star 888
SeaWorld Drive, Main Beach
Liquor Licence: Subsidiary
Hunky Dory
Fifth Ave, Palm Beach
Liquor Licence: Subsidiary
Third Base Coffee
Philippine Parade, Palm Beach
Liquor licence: Subsidiary