Building owner asks Swingin’ Safari music venue to vacate the premises after licensing visit “spooks” him

ONE of the Gold Coast’s most eclectic music venues will close its doors after a council crackdown on licensed premises.

Nightclub owner of Swingin Safari, Neil Beattie. Reporter Sam Cleveland

ONE of the Gold Coast’s most eclectic music venues will close its doors after a council crackdown on licensed premises.

The quirky Swingin’ Safari opened in an old house in Surfers Paradise Boulevard in 2003 and quickly became a creative hub for musicians and performers.

But on June 27 a team of police, council and liquor licensing officers carried out an inspection, issuing a “show cause” notice and accused the venue of operating like a tavern rather than a restaurant.

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The notice reportedly “spooked” the building’s new owner, who has asked Swingin’ Safari to vacate.

Swingin’ Safari director Neil Beattie said the venue would cease trading on Wednesday after what he describes as a liquor licensing “purge” on restaurants.

NO MORE SWINGIN’: The Swingin' Safari night spot on Surfers Paradise Boulevard

“Swingin’ Safari is an example that has no issues in terms of noise and no issues in terms of patron safety,” he said.

“Current liquor licensing definitions are rigid and somewhat shortsighted, with the definition of dining being people sitting at a table with a knife and fork.”

“It’s just that we don’t fit the council’s boxes.”

Swingin’ Safari nightclub owner Neil Beattie says his club just doesn’t fit into the appropriate box

Mr Beattie said people went to Swingin’ Safari not just for the food but for a combination of factors.

“There should be spaces where grassroots cultural development can unfold, not just limiting it to the Gold Coast Arts Centre which is a bit sterile,” he said.

Mr Beattie called for the council to create a clause to allow for venues that promoted cultural development.

“The council really needs to consider, if they’re looking towards the Commonwealth Games, creating a clause for a council-approved style of operation as a restaurant for tourism and cultural development – for places that sell food and drinks but the primary purpose is to be creative and emerge culturally.”

Musician Corey Kearns said his band Dead Books played at Swingin’ Safari last weekend for the first time.

“The smaller venues are so important because bands that might not be able to play the bigger venues can play while they’re starting out,” he said.

A City of Gold Coast spokesman said the inspection of Swingin’ Safari was carried out as part of a Joint Operation for Safer Suburbs.

An Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation spokeswoman said the OLGR was investigating reports the licensee of Swingin’ Safari was not complying with licence conditions.

“This matter is still under investigation and no further comment can be made at this stage,” she said.

“The OLGR can confirm it has not closed the premises or issued any orders to close the premises.”