State watchdog calls meeting to target Surfers Paradise booze bargains

The Glitter Strip party scene is facing a huge shake up amid a battle between venues over dirt-cheap drinks. Read what’s coming next

The state nightclub watchdog has ordered a meeting of Surfers Paradise operators to crackdown on heavy drinks discounts.

The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) has invited licensees on party strip Orchid Avenue and wider Surfers Paradise to meet next week.

One operator revealed the main item on the agenda was heavy drinks discounts.

“They will tell people to ‘pull your heads in’.”

Nightclub and bar owners are furious at Orchid Avenue newcomer Fabric offering $3 basic spirit deals - normally $12 a round - with fears it’ll send everyone broke and result in intoxication dramas, the Bulletin revealed on Thursday.

Fabric nightclub advertises $3 drinks, a massive 75 per cent discount from normally priced drinks. Picture: Supplied

In some cases, other venues have slashed prices to match.

The Bulletin contacted OLGR on Monday but they referred to their website and declined to confirm the crackdown or meeting. But multiple operators have confirmed the meeting has been called, with one saying: “It’s about the drink pricing happening in Surfers Paradise, and what is responsible and what is not. If you are doing the wrong thing, they will come down on you.”

Others confirmed discount pricing potentially breaching the Liquor Act will be on the agenda.

Police have slammed the alcohol price war and say officers won’t hesitate to come down on irresponsible operators.

A police source within the Gold Coast’s licensing branch said venue operators had been warned to “clean up their act” or faces the full force of the law.

“It’s quite clear these promotions will undoubtedly promote young people to consume more alcohol than they usually would” the officer said.

“A liquor licence is a privilege not a right. The law is pretty clear when it comes to unacceptable practice.

Outside of Fabric, the new nightclub in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“If this is the path we’re heading (in Surfers Paradise) perhaps some enforcement action will clear things up.”

Under the state’s Liquor Act, a licensee engages in unacceptable practice when its conduct may encourage the irresponsible consumption of liquor. This includes, providing free or discounted drinks, in a way that encourages patrons to consume excessive amounts of liquor more rapidly than they would otherwise do.

“We’ve made some really good in roads when it comes to tidying up the image of Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast night life.” the officers said.

“I’m not going to sit here and say it’s perfect.

“It is certainly better with the measures that have been put in place to curb the alcohol fuelled violence and excessive drinking.

“We don’t want to undo the hard work.”

Craig Duffy and his son Kalvin Duffy in the new Tipsy Pig bar in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Glitter Strip entrepreneur Craig Duffy - who owns adult entertainment venue Hollywood Showgirls and bars Tipsy Pig and Coco Loco - said the government body needed to address all “unsafe promotions” in and around the party hub. 

“Tour groups who sell club passes from the footpath also promote unsafe binge drinking practices and free drinks included in their tour,” he said.

Mr Duffy said they too “should or could” come under the same umbrella of compliance and practises.