Nightquarter’s emotional finale marred as the Gold Coast venue gets a visit from fun police at last show

NightQuarter went out with a bang as one of the biggest international reggae bands played at the venue — but it was soon soured by the fun police.

NIGHTQUARTER went out with a bang as UB40 played the venue’s last ever show with Red Red Wine — but attention from noise police hit a sour note.

It was an emotional finish as a whopping crowd of almost 8000 soaked up the final gig at the Helensvale venue which has become an institution over the past three years.

But the venue’s owners say their night ended on a dud note due to being “harassed” by a group of four Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation officers who turned up.

More than 8000 people soaked up the big finale.

HOW NIGHTQUARTER CAN BE SAVED

Co-owner Michelle Christoe who was forced to close the venue because landlords wanted to more than double the rent, said noise complaints from a small group of people had threatened to kill the night enjoyed by thousands from the beginning.

“My husband Ian and I were very upset that on our last night where we had nearing 8000 members of the community there to celebrate with us, that (liquor licencing officials) felt the need to be there,” Ms Christoe said.

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Vendors were busy.

The venue closely monitored their noise levels and had included “sound absorption points” to manage it, she said.

“It seems unfair you can have a handful of residents that can lodge a complaint when they can just hear music to put such a music facility at jeopardy when it is complying with the noise limits set by professional acoustic engineers.”

NIGHTQUARTER’S YOUNG PERFORMERS SAY GOODBYE

Ms Christoe said it was an emotional end to years of hard work building the place up as a thriving music venue and thanked supporters.

Ms Christoe said it was an emotional goodbye.

Patrons enjoy the food for the last time.

“It was pretty emotional seeing the vendors all starting to bump out on Saturday, we all shared a few tears,” Ms Christoe said.

“The local community really came out to show how much they care about our business and say goodbye.”

“Our aim was to really thank the Gold Coast community and I think we went out with a bang.

“It was a very vibing night.”

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NightQuarter will now be dismantled.

They were now working on a $750,000 project, dismantling the venue and relocating it.

Ms Christoe said it had been built to be a permanent venue.

She said Nightquarter had met with Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon, government stakeholders and others in an attempt to find a new long-term home for the markets.

“We need to make sure we don’t end up in the same situation three years down the track, you put so much love and passion into it and to go through this is nothing but heartbreaking,” Ms Christoe said.

Nightquarter will host a pop up live music event nearby at The Surrounds on February 23.

Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation was contacted for comment.